The incredible technology dreamed up by George Lucas when he created the Star Wars universe has been imagination food for generations of fans since. None more so than the lightsaber, wielded by those samurai-like mystics the Jedi and their evil counterparts, the Sith. Since Obi-Wan Kenobi and Darth Vader had their duel aboard the Death Star, followers have yearned for more of this iconic weapon from the Star Wars franchise.
December 2015 will see the release of Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens, and with it the return of these awe-inspiring weapons. Kylo Ren, one of the major villains from the new film, wields the latest version of the lightsaber, which has been dubbed "The Cross-Guard Lightsaber" by fans. This imposing design boasts two miniature sabers that act as handguards, similar to a medieval sword. In celebration, and because we couldn't turn down lightsaber research, we've put together a beautiful infographic charting some of the most important, most unique, and most recognizable lightsabers from the Star Wars Universe.
Embed This Image On Your Site:
Star Wars
Jedi and Sith Lightsabers Transcript
"This is the weapon of a Jedi Knight. Not as clumsy or random as a blaster; an elegant weapon for a more civilized age."
- Obi-Wan Kenobi
A weapon of mystery and elegance, the lightsaber entranced a generation. What's not to like about a sword of pure plasma wielded by an order of mystic space samurai? Now as the world prepares for the release of Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens, we have a new generation to mesmerize with these iconic weapons. There are thousands of Jedi in the Star Wars universe, but here are some of the most important and unique sabers from the Star Wars films, The Clone Wars, and Star Wars: Rebels.
BLUES
Anakin Skywalker
- First Appearance: Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope
- This is the saber taken from Anakin after his duel with Obi-Wan. It would eventually be given from Obi-Wan to Luke. It is the first lightsaber ever activated on screen.
Obi-Wan Kenobi
- First Appearance: Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope
- The original hilt was created from a 3-cell Graflex flash handle, a WWI rifle grenade, an Armitage Shanks faucet handle, the switch plate from a calculator, and a Derwent jet engine balance pipe for the emitter.
Ezra's Blaster-Saber
- First Appearance: Star Wars: Rebels
- The unique form of the hilt is due to the saber being both lightsaber and blaster. Ezra was not yet adept at deflecting blaster fire.
Ki-Adi-Mundi
- First Appearance: Star Wars: Republic 1 - Prelude to Rebellion (Comic)
- Ki-Adi-Mundi's first lightsaber was purple in color, but as a Jedi Master and in The Clone Wars and Attack of the Clones it was shown as blue.
GREENS
Qui-Gon Jinn
- First Appearance: Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace
- Liam Neeson and the rest of the Jedi cast members were allowed to select their own hilt. After production, Lucas had Neeson's saber mounted for him.
Yoda
- First Appearance: Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones
- Yoda used this smaller-than-normal saber to great proficiency. Grand Master Yoda is considered to be one of the greatest swordsmen in the Star Wars universe.
Luke Skywalker
- First Appearance: Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi
- A deleted scene showed Luke finishing construction of his lightsaber in a cave on Tatooine. The scene was not available until the blu-ray release of the film.
Ahsoka Tano
- First Appearance: Star Wars: The Clone Wars
- Ahsoka first used her 'lightsaber shoot' (or short saber) in the episode "Altar of Mortis." This was the first canonical appearance of a saber that is yellow in color.
REDS
Darth Maul
- First Appearance: Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace
- Maul's lightsaber was not actually one piece, instead it was two single-bladed lightsabers conjoined at the pommel. This was why it still functioned after being split by Obi-Wan.
Count Dooku
- First Appearance: Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones
- Dooku's lightsaber was meant to portray an older and more sophisticated user. The curved hilt was meant to emulate a rapier handle, dow to the claw-like guard.
Darth Sidious
- First Appearance: Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith
- Despite being one of the best swordsmen in the galaxy, Darth Sidious preferred to use manipulation and his master of the Force to combat enemies.
Darth Vader
- First Appearance: Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope
- The original prop used in A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back was lost. The saber hilt used in Return of the Jedi is believed to be a 'look-alike' saber or a modified version of Anakin/Luke's saber from the first two films.
The Inquisitor
- First Appearance: Star Wars: Rebels - A New Hero (Picture Book)
- The ringed emitter was capable of partially detaching the cylindrical handgrip, allowing the blades to spin around the hilt.
Asajj Ventress
- First Appearance: Star Wars: Bounty Hunter (Video Game)
- The lightsabers originally belonged to Komari Vosa, the main antagonist in the video game Star Wars: Bounty Hunter. Count Dooku would eventually give them over to Ventress.
Kylo Ren
- First Appearance: Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens
- An 'imperfect' model, the blade and cross guard appear to be distorted and unstable upon activation.
Savage Opress
- First Appearance: Star Wars: The Clone Wars
- While similar to Darth Maul's saber-staff in form, the look of Savage's saber took queues from Darth Tyranus's lightsaber, most notably the emitter guards on both ends.
OTHERS
Mace Windu
- First Appearance: Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones
- George Lucas permitted Samuel L. Jackson to have the signature violet blade, making Mace Windu the only saber-user to have a lightsaber that is not blue, red, or green in the films.
Pre Vizsla's Darksaber
- First Appearance: Star Wars: The Clone Wars
- A flat blade saber with a pointed tip, the Darksaber deviated from the standard, rounded and cylindrical sabers common in the Star Wars universe.
Ahsoka Tano's White Lightsabers
- First Appearance: Star Wars: Rebels
- Dave Filoni, Director of Star Wars: Rebels, has been quoted to say, "Ahsoka's sabers are white to reflect her non-affiliation with the Jedi."
Information from starwars.wikia.com
Have you boarded the train to Hype Town? Did you learn anything new about these famous lightsabers that you didn't know before? Take a moment and drop a comment below on which saber was your favorite. And while you're here, check out our huge selection of both Star Wars costumes and lightsabers! May the Force be with you!
Design Credit: Brady Johnson
