I was rewatching The Last Jedi the other day, and something in Luke’s hut on Ahch-To caught my eye—a small red shard hanging on the wall. My first thought? Could that be Darth Vader’s kyber crystal? I mean, how wild would that be? A piece of Vader’s legacy, right there in Luke’s quiet exile.
Turns out, it’s not exactly what it seems. After some digging, I discovered this little artifact actually ties back to something way older than Vader, ancient Jedi Order levels of old.
Let’s dive into what this mysterious relic actually represents.
Jedi Crusader Pendant
If you thought the pendant hanging in Luke’s hut was part of Darth Vader’s lightsaber or his red kyber crystal, you’re not alone.
Many speculated the same. However, the artifact inside Luke’s hut is actually a Jedi Crusader pendant, containing a red kyber crystal.
This relic hails from the Old Republic, a time long before the rise of the Galactic Empire.
The pendant is linked to the ancient Jedi Crusaders, a militant faction of the Jedi Order who participated in large-scale conflicts that shaped the galaxy.
These Crusaders were involved in wars like the Mandalorian Wars and were far more aggressive than the Jedi we know from the prequels, who adhered to peace and diplomacy.
Though the Jedi Crusaders are more familiar from Legends, it’s still unclear how their role will be interpreted in the new canon.
What we do know comes from The Last Jedi: The Visual Dictionary, which reveals that the pendant in Luke’s hut is a recovered Jedi Crusader pendant.
According to the visual dictionary, these pendants were worn as trophies by the Crusaders and one such pendant contained the fragmented kyber crystal from a Sith lightsaber, symbolizing their victory over dark side users.
Why Does Luke Have the Pendant?
So why does Luke Skywalker have this ancient pendant in his hut on Ahch-To?
The most likely answer ties into Luke’s search for knowledge and relics from the Jedi’s past during his self-imposed exile.
As we know from The Last Jedi, Luke traveled the galaxy to gather forgotten pieces of Jedi lore, searching for wisdom that the Jedi Council had lost over the years.
The Jedi Crusader pendant represents one of the many artifacts Luke likely discovered during his journey.
The pendant may also serve as a reminder for Luke of the dangers that come with the Jedi’s involvement in war.
The Jedi Crusaders were Jedi who lost their way by becoming too focused on the fight. This symbol would resonate with Luke, especially given his regret over training Ben Solo (Kylo Ren) and the downfall of his Jedi students.