Star Wars Swords: The Low Down on Lightsabers

Lucasfilms’ Star Wars, a movie released in 1977, kick-started what has since been one of the most influential pieces of science fiction media. Its popularity catapulted psychic knights and their swords into the mainstream. The swords, called lightsabers, are referenced in everything from video games to satiric and derivative works. 

Whether you call them laser swords or energy swords, there’s no doubt that the lightsaber blade is a star of cosplay conventions. To understand its cultural impact in real life and in the Star Wars universe, here’s the full low down on lightsabers.

A Brief History of the Lightsaber

The lightsaber is described in the first movie by Obi-Wan Kenobi as “An elegant weapon for a more civilized age.” The weapon symbolizes a long-gone era of heroism when the Galactic Republic and the Jedi Knights monitored the galaxy and kept it safe. This Arthurian theme of the lightsaber can be seen not only in the fact that its users are mostly Jedi Knights, but also in the core component of the weapon.

Lightsabers are made from Kyber crystals. The bright, glowing blades you see on these weapons are projected from the crystals hidden inside their metal hilts. Kyber crystals can mostly be found in the planet Ilum which is why Jedi in training would often conclude their training by taking a pilgrimage to that planet in search of their Kyber crystal.

This is where the differences between Sith and Jedi lightsabers come in. Jedi lightsabers come in multiple colors partly because their owners “resonate” with their Kyber crystals, adapting the stones to their roles in the Jedi order and their personalities. 

However, Sith and Dark side users need to “bend” a Kyber crystal to their will, forcing it over to the Dark side. This violent process causes the Kyber crystals to bleed, creating the characteristic red sabers we see Darth Maul use in Star Wars Rebels and The Phantom Menace as well as the cross-shaped saber that Kylo Ren has in The Force Awakens.

On the other hand, Jedi masters and knights have multi-colored sabers. Mace Windu’s saber was initially a change that Samuel L. Jackson personally requested for The Phantom Menace and Attack of the Clones. Indeed, most of the color variants for lightsabers were made up on the fly for the movies but were later given meanings. 

Here are some of the lightsaber color meanings and symbolisms:

1. Blue

Blue lightsabers are the weapons of Jedi guardians who are sworn to deliver justice and protect the innocent. This is why we see Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker use blue sabers.

2. Green

Green lightsabers are for Jedi who take a more meditative and diplomatic stance to the world compared to their combat-oriented counterparts. These Force users only fight when it is absolutely necessary, preferring instead to serve as consultants, counselors, advisers, and diplomats. Luke Skywalker has a green lightsaber in a few of the Star Wars films. 

3. Purple

Purple lightsabers are used by Jedi who have felt a call to the Dark side, hence the reddish shade of their should-be-blue sabers, but have chosen to stick to the Light side of the Force. They use the dynamism and strength of personality the Dark side gives them to serve the Light.

4. White

White lightsabers are symbolic of inner clarity and calmness. It is rare but when it is used, it is found in the hands of followers of the living Force who take a different philosophical stance on the Force compared to the Jedi order.

Aside from these primary colors, there are other shades introduced throughout the expanded universe and in other additional Star Wars content, but the canon status of these colors are in question due to recent changes to Star Wars canon. 

The Lightsabers of Jedi Knights and Sith Lords

Lightsabers are rarer than blasters in Star Wars so when we do see one in the shows, we fans just know it and its wielder is going to be important in the story. Here’s a quick look at all the lightsabers featured from 

1. Rey Skywalker Lightsaber

Rey Skywalker was introduced in The Force Awakens, the first in Disney’s sequel trilogy for the Star Wars franchise. She starts without a lightsaber of her own, much like Luke in A New Hope, and uses Anakin’s old lightsaber instead. It’s only in The Rise of Skywalker that she builds her own lightsaber and ignites it, revealing the yellow blade characteristic of Jedi sentinels.

Jedi sentinels took a more active role in the galaxy, residing among regular people and serving directly as mechanics, investigators, and other types of tradesmen rather than dedicating themselves to meditation. They were basically the guy-next-doors of the Jedi order, making the blade a perfect fit for Rey.

This replica is a special edition Black Series copy from Force FX that’s officially licensed by HASBRO. You can tell from the details that there’s work put into making it look like it was really made from odd bits and scraps.

• Material: ABS Plastic
• Length: 120 cm

2. Darth Vader’s Lightsaber

Darth Vader’s lightsaber has been in everything from The Empire Strikes Back to Return of the Jedi. It doesn’t really need an introduction and neither does its replica. This visually striking copy features multiple sound fonts that bring the blade’s “laser” to life. The ABS plastic and aluminum alloy hilt have a nice weight to them, adding to the realism of the blade.

• Material: ABS Plastic and Aluminum Alloy
• Length: 120 cm

3. The Darksaber Force Fx Replica

The Darksaber is a one of a kind lightsaber that took audiences by surprise when it was introduced in The Mandalorian. This dark blade was first used by the very first Mandalorian to become a Jedi knight. Because of this, it’s a symbol of heroism and leadership among the Mandalorians.

This replica from Force FX copies the all-black blade and lights its outline and center forge line with a bright, white light that imitates the ethereal glow of the sword from the shows.

• Material: ABS Plastic and Stainless Steel
• Length: 120 cm

4. Yoda’s Green Light Saber Sword

Yoda’s green lightsaber is simple, straightforward, and elegant. There’s not a lot of ornamentation to the blade in the show and neither is there in this replica. It has a comfortable grip textured to help you hold on to it with every swing and a bright green blade you can change the sound effects for. 

• Material: ABS Plastic
•  Length: 104 cm

5. Kylo Ren’s Lightsaber

Kylo Ren’s lightsaber caused quite a bit of controversy when it was first unveiled due to how big of a departure its design was from the slender lightsabers that came before it. This was explained in supplementary material for the movies as a feature meant to stabilize the cracked Kyber crystal at the core of Kylo’s lightsaber. 

This replica keeps the crossguard of the original sword from the movie and even features a hairline crack as well as exposed parts underneath the casing of the sword.

• Material: ABS Plastic
• Length: 30.48 cm

6. Lego Inspired Inquisitor Lightsaber

If you’ve watched the recent Kenobi series or played Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, you’ve likely seen the bladed hilt lightsabers used by the Imperial Inquisitors. Trilla Suduri uses it in Fallen Order, both with the laser blade on and off as the blade on the hilt can be used to slash enemies like a knife.

This replica is a multi-component copy inspired by Lego that you can assemble to form the arch of the blade. If you want to change things up, you can disassemble the blade and leave the sword with only its hilt.

Material: ABS Plastic

Length: 48 cm

7. Ahsoka’s Lightsaber

Ahsoka’s lightsaber is one of the only white lightsabers in the Star Wars galaxy and the only one we see being used in the shows. Ahsoka uses them as a double blade pair, allowing her to attack and defend from her enemies in quick, powerful slashes. 

While you can copy her style with this replica, you can also assemble your white lightsabers to create a single blade connected at the ends of their hilts. 

• Material: ABS Plastic and Aluminum Alloy
• Length: 59.69 cm

Conclusion

Star Wars’ lightsabers are beautiful yet powerful weapons that have made their mark on the sci-fi scene. With so many options to choose from and so many types of replicas available, choosing one for your cosplay or collection can be a little intimidating. That’s why our picks for the best Star Wars lightsabers are chosen to give you the best value.