Lightsaber colors have always had symbolic meaning in the Star Wars universe. Rey wielding a new white lightsaber at the end of Rise of Skywalker carries weight and signifies change. Let’s explore what Rey’s white lightsaber could mean for her character and for the Star Wars story moving forward.
The Meaning of Lightsaber Colors
In the Star Wars films, the color of a Jedi’s lightsaber reflects their approach to the Force. Traditional Jedi like Obi-Wan Kenobi and Luke Skywalker wield blue lightsabers, representing their balanced view of the Force. Blue is a cool, calming color associated with peace and knowledge. The Jedi strive to maintain harmony between the light and dark sides of the Force.
In contrast, red lightsabers are wielded by Sith Lords and dark side users like Darth Vader and Darth Maul. Red is a bold, aggressive color representing their embrace of raw emotion and the dark side of the Force. The Sith see power as their priority, with little concern for inner peace or compassion.
Other Jedi have wielded lightsabers of different hues, each with its own meaning. Mace Windu’s purple lightsaber represented his uncommon fighting style and independence from the Jedi Council. Ahsoka Tano’s white lightsabers symbolized her non-affiliation with either the Jedi or Sith after leaving the Order.
The Significance of Rey’s White Lightsaber
When Rey ignites her new lightsaber at the end of The Rise of Skywalker, the white blade stands out against the blue and red sabers we’re accustomed to. This distinctive color signals a shift in the Star Wars story and Rey’s evolution as a character.
White is generally associated with purity, innocence, and new beginnings. For Rey to wield a white lightsaber shows that she is forging a new path beyond the Jedi vs. Sith dichotomy that defined the Skywalker saga. Her white saber implies that she has moved past the light side/dark side binary and sees the Force in more nuanced terms.
Some possible meanings conveyed by Rey’s white lightsaber include:
- Balance and harmony – Rey is bringing equilibrium to the Force by rejecting strict divisions between light and dark.
- Purity of purpose – Rey wields the Force with good intentions and an open heart, untainted by selfish motives.
- Independence – Rey is not defined by either Jedi or Sith philosophy, charting her own way.
- Hope – The white lightsaber brings a sense of optimism for the future now that the Skywalker/Palpatine conflict has ended.
- Clarity – Rey has gained wisdom and understands the Force clearly, without bias.
Essentially, the white color symbolizes Rey’s enlightened, balanced perspective as she helps shape a new era for the Jedi and the Force itself.
Rey’s Path as a Jedi
Throughout the Star Wars sequel trilogy, Rey grapples with her identity as she learns about her strength with the Force and trains to become a Jedi. Her white lightsaber signifies the culmination of her heroic journey and emergence as a Jedi with an evolved understanding of the Force.
Rey’s path has not been easy or straightforward. She initially rejects her power and destiny when first feeling the Force awaken within her in The Force Awakens. In The Last Jedi, she struggles to convince Luke Skywalker to train her in the Jedi ways. She is drawn to the dark side of the Force through her mysterious connection with Kylo Ren.
By the end of the trilogy, Rey achieves the wisdom and clarity represented by her white blade. She comes into her own as a Jedi who embodies the best of the light side but also acknowledges her darker tendencies. Her experiences have shaped an enlightened balance. She is centered in the living Force, untethered to rigid codes and politics.
Wielding a white lightsaber signals Rey’s maturation into a fully realized Jedi who has integrated the lessons of the past while moving the Order forward. She is poised to rebuild the Jedi based on compassion, selflessness, and inner harmony.
Balancing the Light and Dark
An interesting detail about Rey’s new lightsaber is that she constructs it using parts from both Anakin and Leia’s old blue lightsabers. This blending of Jedi sabers passed down on both the light and dark sides symbolizes Rey’s more neutral approach to the Force.
Rey was able to channel energy from both the light and dark sides throughout the sequel trilogy. She used dark side Force lightning against Kylo Ren on Pasaana before healing his wound. On Ahch-To, she felt an equal pull to both the light and dark sides emanating from the Force cave beneath the island.
Her white lightsaber represents mastery over the full spectrum of the Force. Just as she fused Jedi relics of the light and dark to create her saber, Rey brings balance through understanding and incorporating both aspects of the Force.
Looking to the Future of Star Wars
The open-ended final scene of Rey looking to the twin suns with her new white lightsaber hints at an evolving role for Jedi in future Star Wars stories. Her path seems to foreshadow a move away from the strict Jedi vs. Sith dichotomies that dominated the Skywalker saga.
With Rey rejecting the extremes of both the repressive Jedi Code and power-hungry Sith teachings, perhaps a more tolerant, redemptive view of the Force will emerge. There are no easy answers when it comes to balancing discipline with emotion, or upholding justice while allowing room for redemption.
The white lightsaber allows for shades of grey. Rather than “light side good, dark side bad”, Rey’s journey shows us that peace is found through compassion, self-awareness, and following one’s moral compass. Her white blade opens up new storytelling possibilities in a galaxy no longer defined by Jedi vs. Sith conflict.
Conclusion
Rey’s new white lightsaber at the end of the Star Wars sequel trilogy represents a major shift for her character arc and direction of the franchise. The white color symbolizes enlightenment, inner balance, and a move beyond divisive labels like Jedi and Sith. After overcoming self-doubt and confronting darkness, Rey emerges wiser and committed to compassion and harmony. Her white blade signals hope for a more tolerant, redemptive view of the Force as new eras of Star Wars storytelling begin.