12 Lightsaber Colors And Their Meanings

Lightsabers are arguably one of the most fascinating and iconic aspects of the Star Wars franchise.

Built by Jedi and wielded by Force-sensitive beings throughout the galaxy, lightsabers can tell us a lot about their user’s unique connection to the Force.

This uniqueness, in fact, is part of why there are so many different lightsaber colors.

So, just how many lightsaber colors are there, exactly? And have you ever wondered what each color represents?

If so, you’ve come to the right place!

In this article, we’ll talk about all of the lightsaber colors in Star Wars, as well as the meaning and symbolism behind each one. 

Thus far, twelve lightsaber colors have been introduced through Star Wars Canon and Legends. Some of these colors are far more common and well-known than others.

For the purpose of this article, we will begin by discussing the most iconic lightsaber colors and finish off with some of the more obscure ones.

1. Blue: Jedi Guardians

Most Star Wars stories center around wars and other conflicts: the Clone Wars, the Galactic Civil War, the fight between the First Order and the Resistance, the ongoing conflict between the Jedi and the Sith.

This may be one reason that blue lightsabers are seen more than any other color throughout the franchise: blue is the color of the Jedi Guardians.

Jedi Guardians are protectors and defenders. They are the ones most highly skilled in combat, and the ones most likely to be leading the charge in battle.

Notable Jedi who have used blue lightsabers include:

• Obi-Wan Kenobi
• Anakin Skywalker
• Kanan Jarrus

2. Green: Jedi Consulars

The second most common color is green, and it represents the opposite of the blue lightsaber: the desire to solve conflicts through negotiation and diplomacy rather than fighting.

Jedi Consulars, who wield green lightsabers, have an especially strong connection to the Force, and to the Living Force in particular.

These Jedi can be described as deep thinkers and philosophers, and though they often fight alongside the Guardians, they are not as inclined toward fighting.

Well-known Jedi who wield green lightsabers include:

• Yoda
• Qui-Gon Jinn
• Luke Skywalker

3. Yellow: Jedi Sentinels

When Jedi Padawans graduate to the status of Knight, they are given the choice to become Guardians, Consulars, or Sentinels. Though more is known about the first two types of Jedi, the Sentinels have an important place in the Jedi Order.

The yellow color of their double-bladed lightsabers indicates a balance between Guardians and Consulars. These Jedi are most often used as Temple Guards, though they sometimes carry out missions as spies as well.

However, not all who wield yellow lightsabers are temple guards. Some notable non-Sentinels who have used this color of lightsaber include:

• Rey Skywalker
• Asajj Ventress
• Ahsoka Tano

4. Red: Sith Corruption

The Kyber crystals used to create lightsabers are living, Force-sensitive entities. When a Jedi forms a bond with a crystal, it changes from clear to whatever color best matches the Jedi’s personality and connection to the Force, in turn influencing the color of the lightsaber.

Sith are unable to form this bond naturally. When they steal a Jedi’s lightsaber or attempt to create their own, they inflict great amounts of hatred and suffering on the crystal to bend it to their will, causing the crystal to “bleed.”

This is why Sith have red-bladed lightsabers. The red coloring represents the pain and suffering used to create the lightsaber.

Some Sith also create synthetic Kyber crystals to build their lightsabers. The red coloring is used almost exclusively because it is a way for Sith to recognize each other.

Well-known characters to wield red lightsabers include:

• Darth Vader
• Count Dooku
• Kylo Ren 

5. Purple: Balance Between Light and Dark

When Samuel L. Jackson was cast to play Mace Windu in the Prequel Trilogy, he requested that his lightsaber be purple. The reasoning behind this was simple: purple was his favorite color.

Since the time of the prequels, however, the lightsaber color has taken on more significance. It is a blend of blue and red, which represents a balance between the light and dark sides of the Force.

This is significant given Windu’s character. He is a powerful Jedi because he is able to walk the line between the light and dark sides while remaining true to the Jedi. He is one of the only Jedi who is able to use dark side techniques without actually falling to the dark side.

Though he is the only character to do so in Canon, there are a couple of notable characters from Legends who also fight with a purple lightsaber:

• Jaina Solo
• Mara Jade
• Darth Revan

6. White: Purification

In Canon, Ahsoka Tano is the only character to wield white lightsabers.

Her white lightsabers were originally taken from the Inquisitor known as Sixth Brother after she defeated him in combat. They were red when she took them, but she used the Force to purify the Kyber crystals within, thus returning them to their original clear state.

For this reason, white lightsabers are seen to represent purity and connection to the light side of the Force despite a lack of affiliation with the Jedi or any other group.

Though Ahsoka lost faith in the Jedi and no longer considered herself one of them, she remained true to the ideals they fought for.

In Legends, a group of Force-sensitive warriors, the Imperial Knights of the Fel Empire, also used white-bladed lightsabers. These warriors rejected the ways of both the Jedi and the Sith.

7. Black: The Right to Rule

The only black lightsaber in existence, the Darksaber, was created by the Mandalorian Jedi Tarre Vizsla. Vizsla was the only Mandalorian to enter the Jedi Order, and his lightsaber is as unique as he was.

The black blade was flat and shaped like a traditional saber, and the relatively small hilt was constructed of Beskar. It could draw other lightsabers like a magnet, making the Darksaber almost completely impervious to defeat.

After Vizsla’s death, the Jedi took the lightsaber; but members of House Vizsla stole it, claiming it as a family heirloom.

Over time, it came to be seen as a symbol of the right to rule Mandalore; anyone who won the weapon in combat became the Mand’alor, the true ruler of the Mandalorians.

As you might imagine, such a powerful weapon exchanged hands many times. Aside from Tarre Vizsla, some of the characters who have wielded it include:

• Pre Vizsla
• Darth Maul
• Sabine Wren
• Moff Gideon
• Din Djarin

8. Orange: Uncertain Symbolism

The orange lightsaber was introduced in the Legends-era Dark Forces video games. An orange lightsaber is wielded by the protagonist of the games, Kyle Katarn. It is unclear what the blade color means.

Katarn originally won the blade from a dark Jedi, so it’s possible that it was once a red blade that has been partially purified.

Another school of thought suggests that the orange color symbolizes pacifism. Yet another theory is that Sith used orange lightsabers before making the transition to red.

Finally, the gamemakers themselves suggest that this color of lightsaber is wielded by someone who has a void in their life that cannot be filled.

9. Magenta: Mara Jade’s Lightsaber

One well-known character from Legends used a magenta lightsaber: Mara Jade, originally known as the Emperor’s Hand and, later, Luke Skywalker’s wife and fellow Jedi Knight.

Mara made the lightsaber from an extremely rare Kyber crystal that was given to her by Emperor Palpatine. She eventually lost the lightsaber in a duel.

Later, Luke gave her Anakin’s old blue lightsaber, and when she became a Jedi Knight, she made herself a new purple one.

10. Bronze: Made Without a Kyber Crystal

A Legends-era book series, Young Jedi Knights, introduced a number of young Force-sensitives who were trained by Luke Skywalker. One of these “young Jedi Knights” was Chewbacca’s nephew, Lowbacca.

Lowbacca created his unique bronze lightsaber out of old computer parts which he found in the Jedi Temple on Yavin 4. One of these components was a unique jewel that created a bronze glow.

He used this jewel instead of a Kyber crystal when he made his lightsaber.

11. Cyan: Unknown Symbolism

Light blue, or cyan lightsabers have appeared in some Star Wars stories, but their origin and meaning are unknown.

It is possible that a cyan lightsaber denotes a Jedi who does not fall perfectly into any of the three categories (Guardian, Consular, or Sentinel).  

12. Indigo: Unknown Symbolism

Indigo is another lightsaber color with unknown origins and symbolism.

Since indigo is a dark bluish-purple color, it’s possible that it could represent a Jedi Guardian who is more aligned with the light side of the Force, but who also makes use of the dark side at times, as Mace Windu did.

Again though, these last two colors are not well-known in the Star Wars franchise. Unless new stories introduce major characters with these lightsaber colors, as well as the explanations behind them, they are likely to remain in obscurity.