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Purple Lightsaber Lore & History

In the endless galaxy of Star Wars lore, there are few lightsaber colors more rare and legendary than the luminous purple lightsaber. While most Jedi traditionally wield a blue or green lightsaber and Sith an ominous red blade, only a handful of Jedi have been capable of achieving the balance and commitment required to wield a purple blade. At its core, purple lightsaber lore is an unwavering tightrope walk between the Light and Dark Sides of the Force. Each Jedi who is worthy enough to wield this color has a story behind their purple lightsaber, one that’s as unique as the color itself.

The Meaning Behind Purple Kyber Crystals

In order to better understand the purple lightsaber’s meaning, it’s important to know that a lightsaber’s unique color comes from the crystal that powers the blade. These lightsaber crystals are commonly called kyber crystals, and they are extremely rare. A Jedi must seek them out, searching for the crystal that’s attuned to them. Once a crystal is attuned to a Jedi, it emits a color based on that Jedi’s personality and alignment. For wielders of a purple blade, their weapons will be powered by purple kyber crystals. However, there are other ways to obtain purple lightsaber crystals, as witnessed by Mace Windu on his mission to the planet Hurikane.

Personality Traits of Purple Lightsaber Users

Those who wield a purple lightsaber are masters at delicately balancing emotions. They are prone to temper and anger, but they also understand their true selves and exhibit a mastery of control over their emotions. It’s why they’re able to walk that fine line between the Light and Dark Sides of the Force, displaying great control and foresight.  These individuals are typically forceful, bold, and daring, leading their comrades fearlessly into battle. As duelists, Jedi with purple lightsabers are relentless in the pursuit of their goals, demonstrating a solid commitment to their values and radiating passion. They are stalwart beacons of light, but their hostility can sometimes misguide their decision-making, leading them astray. The color purple is charismatic, and often those who share an affinity to the lightsaber are drawn to one another.

 

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The Origins of Mace Windu’s Purple Lightsaber

The most iconic purple lightsaber in the Star Wars universe is unquestionably the one wielded by Jedi Champion, Master Mace Windu. As a youngling entering Jedi training, Windu could view shatterpoints in the Force. These are a complex Force phenomenon, attained by a small number of individuals. Essentially, it allowed Windu to place immense focus and concentration on the fault lines of the Force and perceive different possibilities and their results, providing him a glimpse into the future and the consequences of actions.

Building a lightsaber was a rite of passage for a young Jedi Padawan. The youngling would be sent to mine their own crystal and build it into a lightsaber, all the while meditating during the construction to augment the crystal and form a bond with the lightsaber. Through Windu’s visions during shatterpoint exposure, he caught a glimpse of the lightsaber he was destined to build. Mace then brought this to the attention of the Jedi Council, which caused concern, as the purple lightsaber of his visions was thought to be impossible for Windu to build. However, Mace was determined to build the lightsaber he had seen, regardless of whether or not the Jedi Council thought it impossible.

Mace Windu Seeks Out His Purple Lightsaber Crystal on Hurikane

By the age of fourteen, Padawan Windu remained unwavering in his desire to construct his purple lightsaber and requested a challenge to obtain the materials necessary for the build. After much deliberation, the Jedi Council decided that Mace would be sent to the planet Hurikane, alone. Hurikane was a planet located in Wild Space, inhabited by a species of sentient beings made of stone and purple Hurrikaine crystals. The Jedi Council instructed Mace Windu to travel to Hurikane and negotiate with the unidentified Hurikane species to obtain the purple lightsaber crystal required for the build.

Upon his arrival, Windu attempted to reason with the species to allow him a crystal but was ultimately chased away. Running for his life, Mace used his Force abilities to dismantle his attacker. Realizing the error in his ways, Mace reconstructed the Hurikane inhabitant. In a sign of gratitude for his mercy and good-heartedness, the newly reconstructed inhabitant presented Windu with a Hurrikaine crystal, which Windu then used to construct his lightsaber.

That lightsaber carried Windu throughout his life until Mace created the second lightsaber in recognition of his position as a senior Jedi Council member. Now having the skill and knowledge Windu had lacked in his adolescence, he built the second lightsaber to the highest standards. Placing an emphasis on meticulousness and excellence, the lightsaber was constructed with an electrum finish reserved for the highest-ranking council members of the Jedi Order. Naturally, this new lightsaber emitted Windu’s signature purple color. This second lightsaber was used by Windu throughout the Clone Wars, until his untimely death while engaged in a battle with Darth Sidious as seen in Star Wars: Episode III — Revenge of the Sith.

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Purple Lightsaber Crystal Variants

Although kyber crystals are the most commonly used crystals when constructing a lightsaber, there are several variants that can also create a purple blade. Learn more about the variety of purple lightsaber crystals out there.

  • Hurrikaine Crystal – These crystals are found on the planet Hurikane and are coveted for their beauty and strength in battle. However, they also partially make up the bodies of the stone-encrusted species found on Hurikane, which makes acquiring one tricky. Hurrikaine crystals are particularly known for their ability to penetrate enemy defenses.
  • Windu’s Guile – This rare variant of the Hurrikaine crystal was named in honor of the most famous purple lightsaber wielder, Mace Windu. Windu was a Jedi Master and a member of the Jedi Council during the final years of the Galactic Republic.
  • Dragite Crystal – These crystals can be found naturally forming on the planet M’haeli, in the D’olop Mountain Range. Dragite crystals are extremely valuable and produce a loud, resonating sound when struck. Additionally, they inflict a minor amount of sonic damage to their opponents when striking an enemy.
  •  Lorrdian Gemstone – Although not a crystal, this purple gem was used to bolster lightsaber capabilities. Originating during the Kanz Disorders, the enslaved Lorrdians were forced to develop telepathic abilities in order to communicate with one another. The Lorrdian gemstone gave the user the ability to better predict the actions of others by enhanced observation abilities. When Lorrdian gemstones were installed into a lightsaber, the wielder had a heightened sense of awareness, which allowed them to react quicker in battle, both offensively and defensively.

Are Purple Lightsabers Canon?

Yes, purple lightsabers are considered part of the Star Wars Canon. While it remains to be seen if every purple lightsaber crystal variant is still canon, on the whole, the existence of purple lightsabers, as well the personalities of the Jedi who wield them, are an integral part of current Star Wars lore.