Rey’s distinctive yellow lightsaber has become an iconic part of her character in the Star Wars sequel trilogy. After using Anakin Skywalker’s old blue lightsaber in The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi, Rey constructs her own unique lightsaber with a yellow blade in The Rise of Skywalker. The color choice is significant, highlighting Rey’s role as a new kind of Jedi. In this article, we’ll explore the meaning behind Rey’s yellow lightsaber and why it suits her character arc in the sequel trilogy.
The Symbolism of Lightsaber Colors
In the Star Wars universe, the color of a Jedi’s lightsaber carries symbolic meaning about their approach to the Force. Here’s a quick overview of what the main colors represent:
| Blue | Guardianship, reliable |
| Green | Wisdom, focus on the living Force |
| Purple | Balance between light and dark |
| Red | Corrupted by the dark side |
| Yellow | Sentinels, enlightenment |
As this table shows, blue and green are the most common lightsaber colors used by Jedi Knights and Masters. Blue represents guardianship and reliability, while green symbolizes wisdom and connection to the living Force.
The rare purple lightsaber is associated with maintaining balance between the light and dark sides of the Force. Only Jedi Council member Mace Windu has been shown using a purple blade in the films.
Red lightsabers are predominantly used by Sith and dark side Force users. The red color represents falling to the temptation of the dark side and becoming corrupted.
In contrast, yellow lightsabers are extremely uncommon. They are associated with Jedi Sentinels, an order of elite Jedi who operate covertly outside the main Order. The yellow color symbolizes enlightenment and intuition.
Rey’s Journey to Balance
Throughout the sequel trilogy, Rey struggles to find balance between the light and dark sides of the Force. She is drawn to the darkness within Kylo Ren but ultimately rejects it in favor of the Jedi path. Rey seeks balance, harmony and inner peace on her hero’s journey.
In The Last Jedi, Rey describes her encounter with the dark side presence in the cave on Ahch-To: “I’ve never felt so alone.” She is forced to confront her vulnerabilities and weaknesses. By overcoming these trials, Rey gains greater knowledge of herself and control over her powers.
She begins to channel her emotions in a more positive direction. Rather than lashing out in anger or fear, she focuses on protecting her friends in the Resistance. By the end of The Last Jedi, Rey has rejected Kylo Ren’s offer to join him in ruling the galaxy. She remains dedicated to bringing hope and restoring justice in the galaxy.
Constructing a New Lightsaber
At the beginning of The Rise of Skywalker, Rey has constructed her own unique lightsaber to replace the one she previously inherited from Anakin and Luke Skywalker.
This lightsaber has a distinctively slender hilt and bright yellow plasma blade. The vibrant yellow color clearly distinguishes Rey’s weapon from any Jedi lightsaber we’ve seen before on the big screen.
The process of building one’s own lightsaber is an important rite of passage for any Jedi. This ceremony signifies that the individual has achieved the rank of Jedi Knight and completed their basic training. By making her own lightsaber, Rey proves that she is now a fully-fledged Jedi.
The kyber crystal installed in the lightsaber also helps focus and amplify the wielder’s Force abilities. The color is determined by the crystal’s natural resonance. Rey would have harvested her yellow crystal from Ilum or another planet, attuning with it through meditation.
Her yellow blade emerges for the first time in dramatic fashion to deflect a First Order transport from crushing Resistance fighters. This immediately establishes the lightsaber as a symbol of Rey’s commitment to defending hope in the galaxy.
What Does Yellow Symbolize?
As noted earlier, yellow blades are extremely rare and strongly associated with Jedi Sentinels. These elite Jedi operate alone or in small groups out in the fringes of the galaxy. They function as scouts, intelligence gatherers, and hands-on problem solvers.
The yellow color of their lightsabers represents their insightful and enlightened understanding of the Force. It also symbolizes their intellect, creativity, intuition, and unique approach to upholding justice in the galaxy.
All these qualities apply to Rey’s portrayal over the course of the sequel trilogy. While she starts off alone as a survivalist scavenger on Jakku, she evolves into a compassionate, enlightened hero driven by her sense of purpose.
Rey must learn to rely on her own wits, intuition and inner strength to survive her harsh upbringing on Jakku. These traits align closely with the Jedi Sentinel archetype. Her affinity with the Sentinel’s philosophy explains why Rey’s blade manifests as yellow.
The vibrant yellow projects Rey’s optimism and hope for galactic renewal. It sets her apart from the Jedi tradition we’ve seen on screen before. Rey is focused on the future, not constrained by the ways of the past. Her yellow lightsaber reinforces this symbolic message.
A New Kind of Jedi
Throughout the Star Wars saga, blue and green have been the predominant lightsaber blade colors used by the heroic Jedi Knights and Masters. Luke Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Yoda all wielded blue or green sabers.
Rey’s yellow blade stands out in contrast, emphasizing that she represents something different. She is not another version of Luke or Obi-Wan. Rey is a new kind of Jedi, one who learns from the past but is not bound by rigid dogma.
The old Jedi Order collapsed because it lost its way and became susceptible to arrogance and corruption. Rey aims to rebuild the Jedi in a more enlightened, balanced manner. Her yellow lightsaber reinforces this break from the old tradition.
The bold yellow color speaks to Rey’s youth, vitality and hope. It sets her apart as a new generation of Jedi ready to lead others by example. Rey overcomes fear and anger to become an inspiration, Guardian and Sentinel of peace in the galaxy.
Complementing Her Fighting Style
In addition to symbolic meaning, a Jedi’s lightsaber color also impacts the visual style of their combat techniques. Different colors complement particular fighting styles and enhance their dramatic impact.
Rey’s distinctive double-bladed fighting technique has an acrobatic, flowing quality to it. She incorporates elements of staff fighting from her early years on Jakku. Rey switches fluidly between one and two-handed grips during duels.
The vibrant yellow blade complements and accentuates the graceful, swirling movements of Rey’s fighting style. It adds a bold visual flair as she spins and slashes her lightsaber through the air against contrasting red, blue and black backdrops.
During action scenes, the yellow lightsaber helps Rey stand out. It enables her to capture more attention as she takes down multiple opponents in choreographed twirling sequences. The yellow color meshes perfectly with Rey’s unique fighting style.
Parallels to Jedi Temple Guards
While yellow blades are rarely seen in the movies, they do feature prominently in the animated Star Wars Rebels series. The Jedi Temple Guards wield yellow-bladed lightsaber pikes to defend the Jedi Temple on Lothal.
Their double-bladed saber staffs and masks make these Temple Guards seem mysterious and anonymous. However, they are highly skilled elite warriors chosen to protect the temple and the Jedi way of life.
Rey’s yellow double-bladed lightsaber clearly parallels the weapons and appearance of these Jedi Temple Guards. It further cements her symbolic role as a Guardian and Sentinel of peace and justice in the galaxy.
The Temple Guards embody the discipline, duty and self-sacrifice central to the Jedi philosophy. Rey likewise devotes herself to serving others and defending those in need. Her yellow blade links her to this tradition of Jedi protectors.
Contrast to the Sith
The prevalence of red lightsabers among the Sith also highlights the significance of Rey’s yellow blade. Red and yellow are complementary colors, sitting opposite each other on the color wheel.
In the Star Wars movies, lightsaber duels between Jedi and Sith feature blue or green blades clashing dramatically against red ones. This simple but striking color contrast visually symbolizes the conflict between light and dark.
Rey’s yellow blade provides a new twist on this formula. Her fights against Kylo Ren’s crackling red crossguard lightsaber exhibit a similarly eye-catching color contrast. This time it is bold yellow against deep red, representing Rey’s enlightened Jedi perspective clashing against Kylo’s embrace of the dark side.
From a cinematography standpoint, the yellow and red pairing stands out and makes their struggle more vibrant and dynamic. It becomes an epic battle of contrasting philosophies, not just contrasting colors.
The Legacy Continues
At the end of The Rise of Skywalker, Rey delves into the Jedi texts she took from Ahch-To before coming face to face with her destiny. As the twin suns set on Tatooine, a local asks Rey her name.
“Rey,” she responds simply, adding “Rey Skywalker” after a moment’s pause. This symbolic name change reflects how Rey has embraced the Skywalker heritage and pledged to pass on their heroic legacy.
Rey’s yellow-bladed lightsaber will be a distinctive part of that legacy, representing hope and a renewed Jedi Order. Future students Rey trains may also construct yellow blades to signify their enlightened path.
Through Rey, the legacy of the Skywalkers will live on. Her own legacy as a Jedi hero will be shaped by the symbolic yellow lightsaber which uniquely represents her place in the Star Wars saga.
Conclusion
Rey’s yellow lightsaber color has deep symbolic significance, separating her from the Jedi heroes who came before her. Yellow traditionally represents Jedi Sentinels – guardians who follow their own path. This perfectly encapsulates Rey’s role as a new kind of Jedi.
Her yellow blade complements Rey’s fighting style and parallels the double-bladed lightsabers of Jedi Temple Guards. The color provides visual contrast against the red lightsabers of the Sith, highlighting the conflict between Jedi and dark side philosophies.
Above all, Rey’s yellow lightsaber signifies hope for the future. She will pass on the heroic legacy of the Skywalker family as she rebuilds the Jedi Order with enlightenment and balance. Rey’s iconic yellow blade reinforces her unique place at the center of this new trilogy in the legendary Star Wars saga.