Star Wars: Meaning Behind a Blue Lightsaber & All Its Users

In Star Wars, lightsabers come in numerous forms, shapes, sizes – and colors. However, blue lightsabers might just be the most common and the most recognizable of all Jedi lightsaber colors. That being said, each lightsaber color has a particular meaning based on the wielder’s character, personality, and alignment with the Force. So, what’s the meaning of a blue lightsaber?
Blue lightsabers usually indicate valor, bravery, righteousness, and the search for justice. It’s a big trademark of the Jedi order, and the wielders are usually extremely skilled combatants. They focus on lightsaber skills instead of moves using the Force.
Now, that doesn’t mean that, for instance, green lightsaber wielders are less skilled in duelists – just look at Yoda. However, blue lightsaber wielders tend to focus less on acrobatics and Force-powered lightsaber forms and more on the skill, precision, quickness, and courage. There’s so much more to unpack here, so if you want to learn more, keep reading this article.
How do lightsabers get their color?
A casual Star Wars fan probably doesn’t know much about how lightsabers are built and how they get their color. You see, the wielder doesn’t really choose the color of their lightsaber. Instead, the lightsaber gets its color based on its alignment with the Force and its personality. So, how does it work?
To build a lightsaber, a Jedi needs something called a kyber crystal. Kyber crystals are quite rare but can be found in several spots across the galaxy – most famously in the Crystal Caves of Adega. Kyber crystals are almost sentient substances that respond to the Force, but when found, every kyber crystal is colorless.
The Force guides each Jedi to their own kyber crystal, and only after a Jedi connects with the crystal through the Force does the crystal get its color. It is then used as a core for a lightsaber, and the color of the kyber crystal determines the color of the blade.
As I’ve mentioned, the crystals get their color after a Jedi forms a connection with said crystal. The color always represents the wielder’s personality, character, intentions, and alignment within the Force. That being said, if the wielder changes, the color of their kyber crystal – and subsequently, their lightsaber – will also change.
Kyber crystals come in many colors – blue, green, purple, yellow, orange, and white. Every color has a different meaning. However, they only respond to the Light side of the Force. How do the Sith have lightsabers, then, you might ask?
Well, if a lightsaber’s color is red, it can only mean two things. One – the Sith used the Force to corrupt and manipulate a kyber crystal with anger, rage, and chaos, known as making the crystal ‘bleed’ – hence, the red color. Two – the Sith used an unnatural, synthetic kyber crystal. Those crystals had vicious, aggressive properties, which is why the Sith loved them.
What does a blue lightsaber mean?
There were so many blue lightsaber wielders over the years, each with a unique personality. Hence, the meaning behind a blue lightsaber can be interpreted in several ways, based on which wielder you choose as a starting point.
There are, however, some common traits that all the wielders of blue lightsabers have – traits that are the epitome of the Jedi Order. A blue lightsaber means righteousness, honor, valor, courage, and the insatiable search for peace, harmony, and justice.
It perfectly summarized the battle between the Jedi and the Sith, as a blue lightsaber is the opposite of a red lightsaber. Instead of peace, harmony, and honor, red lightsabers mean chaos, rage, and oppression. Blue lightsaber wielders will fight to bring peace to tormented parts of the galaxy, no matter how far, far away they are.
Another common trait among blue lightsaber wielders, however, is expressed emotions. A Jedi should let go of their emotional connections in life, but sometimes, it’s easier said than done. Although positive emotions can be a great thing, it puts blue lightsaber wielders at a greater risk of letting their emotions get the best of them and lose control, succumbing to the Dark side.
Anakin Skywalker wielded a blue lightsaber but then lost control and became Darth Vader. Luke Skywalker wielded a blue lightsaber (first) but then let his emotions lead him into a fight against Vader that he wasn’t ready for, costing him the saber and his hand.
Obi-Wan Kenobi is also incredibly emotional and cares for Anakin so much. Still, he’s one of the blue lightsaber wielders that was capable of keeping composure and controlling those emotions enough to win their battle and stay true to the Light side.
As for the lightsaber technique alone, blue lightsaber wielders tend to be more patient, composed, meticulous, and skilled when it comes to lightsaber combat. They tend to focus more on bravery and lightsaber technique in combat instead of moves that require too much use of the Force or acrobatics. That trait is common among green lightsaber wielders like Master Yoda.
That doesn’t mean that blue lightsaber wielders never used the Force in combat. They very much did, but they used it to augment their lightsaber skills – not the other way around – which is why you almost always saw blue lightsaber wielders in the front lines of every battle. Blue lightsaber wielders are known as Jedi Guardians.
On the other hand, green lightsaber wielders were known as Jedi Consulars – they emphasize growth, harmony, and nature. They are much deeper thinkers who analyze the deeper meanings and workings of the Force itself. Again, Yoda is the prime example – a Jedi Master who literally spent centuries studying everything there is to know about the Force.
All notable blue lightsaber wielders
As I’ve mentioned, blue lightsabers are the most common lightsaber color among the Jedi, so listing each and every wielder that ever appeared within the Star Wars universe would be insanely difficult and long. Hence, we’ll focus on all the most notable users from both Canon and Legends.
Obi-Wan Kenobi
Obi-Wan Kenobi is easily the most popular blue lightsaber wielder ever. He is one of the greatest, most powerful Jedi who was insanely skilled as a lightsaber duelist. Obi-Wan always strived to do the right thing, seek the truth, and provide safety for those who needed it.
He was the padawan of Qui-Gon Jinn and avenged his Master’s death by defeating Darth Maul in combat. He also managed to defeat Anakin Skywalker in a decisive duel on Mustafar, resulting in Darth Vader’s birth.
Through all those hardships, Obi-Wan Kenobi still maintained control and stayed true to the Light side, even training young Luke Skywalker and sacrificing his own life in the end for the greater good. Obi-Wan is my favorite Star Wars character ever and the perfect example of what a Jedi should be.
Anakin Skywalker
Yes, Darth Vader himself wielded a blue lightsaber. Technically, he wasn’t Darth Vader back then, but rather Anakin Skywalker – one of the most powerful Force users in the galaxy’s history.
Anakin trained under Obi-Wan Kenobi as his master but was always extremely passionate and emotional. The truth was Obi-Wan saw a little bit of himself in Anakin, which is why he was so adamant when telling Anakin how dangerous it could be.
Unfortunately, Anakin let his rage and passion get the best of him, costing him his life in the end, as he became his worst enemy – Darth Vader.
Luke Skywalker
Luke Skywalker is primarily known as a green lightsaber wielder, but his first lightsaber was actually a blue one. Unfortunately for him, Luke lost the lightsaber during his first duel against his father, Darth Vader, aka Anakin Skywalker.
Much like Obi-Wan and Anakin, Luke was emotional, which clouded his judgment. He let his feelings get in the way of reason, and he rushed into battle against a much more powerful opponent, costing him a hand and a lightsaber.
Rey Skywalker
Another amazing blue lightsaber wielder is Rey Skywalker – the protagonist of the newest Star Wars trilogy. Although she eventually creates her yellowish-golden saber, Rey initially had a blue lightsaber throughout the trilogy.
That lightsaber was actually the one that Luke Skywalker lost when dueling Darth Vader for the first time. Having a blue lightsaber connect with Rey meant that she was a strong, brave, righteous Jedi Guardian that was fueled with emotions but knew how to control them. That’s what we saw throughout the trilogy and what eventually helped her emerge victorious.
Leia Organa
The entire Skywalker bloodline seemed to wield a blue lightsaber at some point. Despite not becoming a Jedi in the end, Leia Organa was a Jedi padawan of her brother, Luke Skywalker. She used a blue lightsaber during training, but then she sensed her son’s death at the end of her Jedi path through the Force.
At that moment, Leia chose not to pursue becoming a Jedi. She dismissed her training, leaving the lightsaber with Luke, who eventually gave it to Rey in the new Star Wars trilogy – during the final days of the war between the Resistance and the First Order.
Cal Kestis
Cal Kestis is one of the newest – and most popular – Star Wars Canon characters that canonically wields a blue lightsaber. Kestis is the main protagonist of the video game Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, and the blue kyber crystal is available to pick as a default.
That being said, Cal’s lightsaber can be of a different color should the player choose it – it all depends on the path you pick within the game.
Kanan Jarrus
Kanan Jarrus’ birth name was Caleb Dune, and he is one of the main characters in Star Wars: Revels. Kanan was an incredible Jedi who was extremely skilled in lightsaber combat, even defeating the Grand Inquisitor in a duel.
After losing his sight in a battle with Darth Maul, Kanan Jarrus actually reached a higher self, said to be capable of seeing much more than he ever had with his eyes. Kanan was also the master of Ezra Bridger, another wielder of a blue lightsaber.
Ezra Bridger
Ezra was a Jedi padawan of Kanan Jarrus and an awesome character from the Star Wars: Rebels show. A very gifted Force user, Ezra utilized a saber-blaster hybrid weapon that was equipped with a blue blade.
Ahsoka Tano
Ahsoka Tano is best known for her white lightsabers that she got by purifying red kyber crystals. She got those white sabers after she abandoned the Jedi Order and created her own path.
However, while Ahsoka was a Jedi padawan of Anakin Skywalker, she wielded a blue lightsaber. Ahsoka is arguably one of the most important newer Star Wars characters, and I can’t wait to watch the new Disney+ show, Ahsoka.
Plo Koon
Plo Koon was a prominent member of the Jedi Council who wielded a blue lightsaber and was known for his kindness and honesty. He believed that each clone was unique and had a value of its own, and although he wasn’t the only Jedi with such beliefs, he was the most vocal about it. Plo Koon is also known for discovering Ahsoka Tano and bringing her to the Jedi.
Kylo Ren
You all know Kylo Ren for his awesome red lightsaber with the signature cross guard. However, when he was Ben Solo, he was a Jedi padawan of his uncle and Jedi Master, Luke Skywalker. During that time, his signature lightsaber had a blue blade, but after the destruction of the Jedi Temple in 28 ABY, Ben Solo became Kylo Ren and modified his lightsaber to don red blades.
Other notable blue lightsaber users
There were other blue lightsaber users that one ought to keep in mind. Ki-Adi-Mundi was a Jedi Master whose most notable trait was his very big head due to his alien species having two brains.
Aayla Secura, on the other hand, was a Jedi master who wielded two blue and green lightsabers. She was an apprentice of Quinlan Vos, but as she shared with Ahsoka Tany, she took her time to give up the attachment she felt towards him. Aayla is a spectacular combatant, prolific in a couple of lightsaber forms.
Lastly, Shaak Ti was a member of the Jedi Council and a blue lightsaber wielder whose righteousness and emotion superseded her peers. Even if she had orders from the rest of the Jedi Council, Ti would usually do what she felt was right. Still, Shaak Ti was calm, peaceful, and incredibly powerful, but she was eventually overpowered and killed by Darth Vader.