Lightsabers have become an iconic part of the Star Wars lore. They give hints on the wielder’s intentions and moral compass. This is because the colors determine the force of the Jedi using a lightsaber.
Where do lightsabers come from and why do they come in different colors? According to the Official Star Wars site, lightsabers are made from Kyber crystals. These are usually found in the frozen caves of Ilum. Once a crystal resonates with a specific Jedi, it changes color on its own.
Of course, there are some exceptions. For example, the Sith used synthetic crystals that gave off a sinister red glow. And in the Great Sith War, many lightsabers were created using Kunda stones from the planet Kadril.
The Purpose of Lightsabers
Lightsabers were used for offense and defense. They were a way for the Jedi to concentrate their focus and discipline. On a larger scale, they have come to represent the eternal battle between the light side and the dark side.
Understanding the Colors
The most common lightsaber colors in Star Wars are red, green, and blue. But as the Star Wars lore grew and the Expanded Universe was introduced, more colors were introduced. Some of them hint at a deeper meaning, while others (like the purple lightsaber) were initially assigned based on the actor’s wishes.
Blue
Are you righteous and brave, with a strong sense of justice? Then chances are, you would get a blue lightsaber. It’s the most common representation of the force of good. This can clearly be seen in the prequel trilogy, where there is an abundance of blue lightsabers.
Some titular characters with a blue lightsaber include Luke Skywalker, Anakin Skywalker, and Obi-Wan Kenobi.
Green
The next most common lightsaber color is green. This hue represents harmony, cooperation, and spirituality. Most green lightsabers in the Star Wars universe are used by older and wiser figures. This includes Yoda, Qui-Gon Jinn, and Luke Skywalker after his jedi training.
Red
This color is a direct representation of the Sith. Red lightsabers are special because the Sith cannot bond with Kyber crystals. As a result, they need to steal Kybers or find other ways to build their own.
The process of manufacturing a lightsaber in this way is called “bleeding.” The Sith must channel all their negative emotions into the crystal, which is what causes it to “bleed” and turn red.
Yellow
So far, only Jedi Temple guards use yellow lightsabers. Their weaponry is interesting because instead of the traditional sword, the guards wield double-bladed pikes. The symbolism behind this color is never explicitly stated. Because of this, we are not sure whether the guards were just given yellow lightsabers to distinguish them from the rest of the Star Wars characters. However, there are speculations that wielders of a yellow lightsaber have a pious nature.
Purple
Purple is an incredibly rare lightsaber color. It has only been used by the fallen Jedi Master Mace Windu. There is no specific meaning to this color within the Star Wars Universe, because Windu’s lightsaber was only made purple at the request of Samuel Jackson.
Purple and orange lightsabers were used by some Jedi until the fall of the Jedi Order. However, these were incredibly rare occurrences. They were often passed down from one generation to another.
Orange
This color is the newest addition to Star Wars canon. However, we do not yet have a solid backstory for it yet. Orange lightsabers were only revealed as a pre-order incentive for the Jedi: Fallen Order. All we’ve got to work on so far is its exclusivity and marketability. We’ll have to wait for more information on the new game before we can make any assumptions.
Black
The darksaber is a one-of-a-kind blade by Tarre Vizsla, known as the first Mandalorian. It is shorter than most lightsabers and shaped like a traditional sword. This black lightsaber became a symbol of leadership for the Mandalorians, and the only way to become the wielder was to defeat its owner in combat.
Conclusion
Because the Star Wars universe is so big, there can be differences in how lightsabers and their colors are interpreted. As a result, it is difficult to know for sure if it would be the best fit for certain character types.