Summary
There are many theories and tales about the meaning behind the lightsaber colors onscreen inStar Wars. Eight different colored lightsabers have appeared in live-action films or series. However, viewers have not gotten explicit details regarding the construction, color, or Fore-connection between the wielder and the color. As far as the science of hilt construction and crystal mechanics goes, this lack of specificity may be due to the difficulty in reconciling the fiction of lasers being used as swords.
Star Wars' Expanded Universe in non-live-action media has taken the liberty to explore and explain various (if sometimes conflicting) tales of the Jedi and Sith’s lightsabers, among other aspects of the universe. The history, lore, and theories regarding lightsabers do not align across every piece of media. The lack of explanation onscreen in live-action films and series further complicates this issue.
Star Wars Expanded Universe Lightsaber Lore
The meanings behind lightsaber colors inStar Warshave been detailed in officially licensed games, comics, novels, and animation. All this material makes up the Expanded Universe. Some of these projects have posited that kyber crystals chosen by lightsaber wielders are excavated from certain planets, and the color of the crystal determines the color of the lightsaber. Others proclaim that some crystals, such as the ones used by the Sith, are synthetic. Another theory explains that the user’s connection to the Force, which usually reflects their personality, determines the color of the lightsaber. This also suggests that a change in that connection changes the color of the lightsaber.
Other proposed ideas on how lightsabers change colors include the techniques of bleeding and purifying kyber crystals. It’s been stated that Light Side, non-red lightsabers do not respond to Dark Side users. Therefore, a Sith has to corrupt a Light Side crystal through the technique of bleeding negative emotions into the crystal, which turns it red. Meanwhile, the technique of purifying a tainted crystal turns the lightsaber white. This was done byAhsoka Tano after she defeated an Inquistorand took his kyber crystals.
Star Wars Live-Action Lightsaber Canon Facts
Star Wars, unfortunately, has not explained the meaning nor detailed any Force-related information regarding lightsabers in their live-action films or series. The most notable connection that bridges some Expanded Universe lore with live-action canon takes place in the animated seriesStar Wars: Visions, season 1, episode 5.
A few interesting things happen in this episode. First, a masked fighter takes a red lightsaber and turns it green. Additionally, the daughter of the lightsaber smith turns a “ghost lightsaber,” or colorless saber, into a green light one. Then, a Force-user’s red lightsaber is seen to have turned purple, after its user is no longer consumed by the Dark Side.
The lightsaber-smith inVisionsnotes that the weapon was constructed to be attuned to the wielder and their connection to the Force. The length and color of the lightsaber therefore depends on the wielder. This implies that the kyber crystal may also be colorless, or that its color has no influence on the color of the lightsaber. This explanation seems to debunk the theory of lightsaber wielders choosing a particular colored kyber crystal, orStar Wars' Sith Lordsneeding synthetic crystals.
There could be some validity in some Expanded Universe explanations. Several fans have also settled onwidely accepted interpretations for various lightsaber colors. However, the only known live-action canonical facts on lightsabers' color meanings are listed as follows:
Now that all primary and secondary colors, plus black/dark and white, have appeared in live-action films and series, this could be the perfect time forStar Warsto explain the meaning or lore behind each. (That is, if there is any.) A live-action story that follows a youngling’s journey to becoming a Jedi could illustrate such details.
