The lightsaber is one of the most iconic weapons in science fiction, making its first appearance in the 1977 film Star Wars: A New Hope. Lightsabers consists of a plasma blade that can cut through almost anything and can deflect blaster bolts. The distinct humming sound and vivid blade have become synonymous with the Jedi and Sith warriors that wield them. But what was the original color of the first lightsaber seen on screen?
A Brief History of Lightsabers in Star Wars
Lightsabers were introduced to audiences in Star Wars: A New Hope during Obi-Wan Kenobi’s first duel with Darth Vader. George Lucas chose to have the lightsabers be brightly colored blades rather than traditional metal swords in order to make the fights more dynamic and exciting. Though lightsabers have since been shown in a variety of colors representing different Force users and fighting styles, the very first one seen on screen was distinctly blue.
When Luke Skywalker first ignites the lightsaber handed down to him by Obi-Wan Kenobi, the brilliant sapphire blade that springs forth highlights the mysticism and passion of the ancient Jedi weapon. This lightsaber, an elegant weapon from a more civilized age, casts Luke as Obi-Wan’s apprentice who will go on to continue the Jedi legacy. The blue lightsaber becomes synonymous with Luke Skywalker throughout the original Star Wars trilogy, just as green becomes associated with Luke’s Jedi Master Yoda.
The Meaning Behind Lightsaber Colors
Though lightsabers appeared in other colors later on, the blue and red colors chosen originally for the Jedi and Sith held deep symbolic meaning.
Blue represented the calm, peace, and reliable nature of the Jedi. Often used by Jedi Guardians who focused more on combat training and relied on their instincts and physicality. The stability and discipline of blue reflect the Jedi ideals of justice, protection, and benevolence.
Red embodied the chaotic and passionate ways of the Sith. Most often wielded by Sith Warriors who channelled their anger and hatred into their fighting prowess. The combustible and bloody red lightsabers represent the recklessness of the Dark Side of the Force.
Beyond the metaphorical meanings, blue and red were also great complements on film to contrast against each other during action sequences. Blue stood out vividly against the blackness of space while red popped against the white stormtroopers and control panels of the Death Star.
The History of Luke Skywalker’s Lightsaber
The blue lightsaber that first appears in A New Hope has a long history that is deeply intertwined with the Skywalker saga. It was constructed by Anakin Skywalker during the Clone Wars after losing his first weapon. Anakin used this lightsaber throughout the Clone Wars as well as during his fall to the Dark Side. After their fateful duel on Mustafar which left Anakin severely wounded, Obi-Wan Kenobi took possession of the lightsaber, keeping it for nearly two decades.
The Jedi Master then passed the weapon onto a young Luke Skywalker in Star Wars: A New Hope, kickstarting Luke’s journey to become a Jedi. The blue blade served Luke well as he learned the ways of the Force and fought against the tyrannical Empire. Luke famously lost the lightsaber, along with his hand, during his confrontation with Darth Vader in Cloud City during The Empire Strikes Back.
Decades later, the lightsaber turned up again in the hands of Rey, eventually calling to her as the Force awoke in the young scavenger. She wielded it against Kylo Ren and the First Order before finally passing it on to a redeemed Ben Solo. The blue Skywalker lightsaber truly passed through generations of pivotal heroes and villains in the Star Wars galaxy.
The Origins of Red Lightsabers
While Jedi traditionally built lightsabers with blue or green crystals, Sith lightsabers were nearly always red. This was because Sith would use synthetic kyber crystals which they could make “bleed” by channeling the power of the dark side into them. The red color reflected their corruption and rage.
Darth Vader’s own red lightsaber was constructed after he joined the Sith, replacing the blue blade he wielded as the Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker. Kyber crystals obtained from Jedi lightsabers were used to synthesize the red crystals needed for Sith weapons. After victory over the Jedi in the Great Purge, Vader and other Sith acolytes gathered Kybers from slain Jedi to build their own red-bladed lightsabers.
Other Lightsaber Colors and Meanings
While blue and red lightsabers dominated the Star Wars films, many other colors appeared in expanded material of the Star Wars universe:
Green – Usually wielded by Jedi Consulars who focused more on negotiation, lore, and study of the Force. Qui-Gon Jinn and Yoda famously used green lightsabers. The tranquil color represented the harmony of the Force.
Yellow – Favored by Jedi Sentinels who honed diverse skills and relied on ingenuity and creativity in battle. Sentinels walked the line between combat training of Guardians and scholarly pursuits of Consulars. The bold yellow color reflected that middle path.
Purple – Reserved for those who had skill with both Light and Dark sides of the Force. They tread the boundary between the two, manifesting in the blend of Sith red and Jedi blue. Popularized by Mace Windu, masters of this unstable color had to be careful not to slip into the Dark Side.
White – Purified red kyber crystals could sometimes become white, representing a return to the Light. Ahsoka Tano wielded white lightsabers after leaving the Jedi Order, symbolizing her disenchantment with both the Jedi and Sith.
Black – Only seen in the hands of Dark Side users who synthesized artificial crystals highly attuned to the dark side. The color represented the all-consuming greed and lust for power of the Sith.
The Iconic Pop Culture Legacy of Lightsabers
The humble lightsaber has left an indelible mark across popular culture over the past half century. As one of the most beloved cinematic weapons ever invented, lightsabers are a ubiquitous pop culture symbol, representing the ultimate sci-fi battle between Good and Evil.
The lightsaber’s distinct appearance and captivating sounds have been endlessly replicated and reinvented across every imaginable medium. Young padawans can battle with plastic lightsaber toys. Video games let gamers feel like Jedi Knights wielding lightsabers rendered in lifelike detail. Fans even go so far as to build real working lightsabers powered by LEDs and advanced physics engines.
Cinematic techniques developed for lightsaber effects have also influenced many other films featuring glowing energy swords and futuristicblade weapons. The lightsaber has become so synonymous with lightsword combat that it is now the default pop culture reference point for laser melee weapons. Any franchise featuring battles between heroes and villains is inevitably compared to the Star Wars standard established by the iconic Jedi vs Sith lightsaber duels.
Conclusion
When Luke Skywalker first fired up his father Anakin’s passed-down lightsaber in Star Wars: A New Hope, preparing to take on the Empire, moviegoers witnessed the flash of a brilliant blue blade that would become one of the most memorable sights in sci-fi cinema. While many colors now exist in the Star Wars universe, that pure blue lightsaber ignited by a young farmboy from Tatooine will forever be the quintessential Jedi weapon that captured our imaginations.
