On Sunday, September 3, Swinomish Outdoor Movies will be wrapping up the summer with a double feature of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 and Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. Since the release of the first Star Wars episode, A New Hope, the lightsaber has been known all around the world as the weapon of the Jedi Knight. We found some interesting things you need to know about the most iconic weapon of the Star Wars galaxy.

Birth of the Lightsaber: Lucas’ Inspiration

George Lucas, the director/creator of Star Wars, intended the trilogy to be a fantasy that showed the romantic side of fighting. Lucas’ original concept was that the Jedi would fight with metal swords, but then decided that the Jedi needed a weapon that would protect them from the various technologically advanced weapons throughout the Star Wars galaxy. Lucas was in need of a weapon that would help the Jedi protect themselves from evil and bring peace to the galaxy. That is when Lucas invented the futuristic sword known as the ‘lightsaber’.

What Are Lightsabers Made Of?

The thought of a lightsaber seems to defy science because it’s a blade of lasers shooting out from a metal hilt. A lightsaber consists of a plasma blade emitted from a hilt, powered by a Kyber Crystal. A Kyber Crystal is considered the heart of a lightsaber and is located at the saber’s core. Kyber Crystals can be found on numerous planets throughout the Star Wars galaxy. The crystal is attached to a Jedi Knight on a personal level and is aware of the Force. This results in the lightsaber being an extension of a Jedi’s Force awareness.

What Does the Blade Color Mean?

A lightsaber blade’s color is determined by the glow of the Kyber Crystal it uses. The Kyber Crystal is colorless until first connected to a Jedi. In most cases, the crystal glows blue or green, or in rare circumstances, another shade. There are seven lightsaber colors within the Star Wars Universe that are known thus far.

Blue:

The blue-bladed saber is the most common color lightsaber among the Lightside (Jedi Knights). The color blue is associated with protection, consciousness, and intellect. Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker both use blue lightsabers.

Red:

Red-bladed lightsabers are used by the Sith, or, in other words, the Darkside. A blade turns red when the connection between a Kyber Crystal and a Sith is forced. It is believed that the forced relationship causes the Kyber Crystal to bleed resulting in a red color blade. Red lightsabers are used by Sithlords like Darth Vader, Darth Maul, Count Dooku, and Kylo Ren.

Green:

A green lightsaber has the same significance as a blue one and is used by a few Jedi Knights. The first green lightsaber seen on screen was used by Luke Skywalker in the Return of the Jedi. Qui-Gon Jinn and Yoda also use green-bladed sabers.

Purple:

Mace Windu is the only holder of a purple-bladed saber. It can be seen in his possession in Episode I: The Phantom Menace and Episode II: Attack of the Clones. Mace Windu is played by Samuel L. Jackson, who asked Lucas on set if he could have a purple lightsaber. He said that it was his favorite color and that he wanted to stand out among the other Jedi.

Yellow:

The only known yellow lightsabers are seen in Clone Wars. These yellow lightsabers are double-bladed and are used by Jedi Temple Guards. We still do not know how they came to possess these rare sabers.

White:

The only character known to have the ability to wield white-bladed sabers is Ahsoka Tano in Star Wars Rebels. The story of how she acquired this ability has not yet been told.

Black:

A black-bladed saber is the rarest color of all lightsabers. There is only one black lightsaber in the Star Wars universe, and it is known as the Darksaber. The Darksaber is an ancient weapon that was stolen from the Jedi hundreds of years prior to the Clone Wars. The blade is flat and rectangular, resembling a real sword. The Darksaber’s whereabouts are unknown, but it was last seen in Darth Maul’s possession in Clone Wars.

Can Anyone Use a Lightsaber?

Yes, but the lightsaber is a weapon that requires tremendous skill and training. You don’t have to have the Force to be able to use a lightsaber, but you have to master the Force in order to use it to its full potential. A Jedi’s capability will greatly enhance when used in conjunction with the Force.

Make sure you check out the Swinomish Outdoor Movies double feature on Sunday, September 3 at Waterfront Park!