Why is Mace Windu’s Lightsaber Purple?
With his stoic, commanding presence, Jedi Master Mace Windu captured the admiring attention of many moviegoers when he debuted in Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace. Since then, he’s remained an enduring and popular character in the fandom. Although there’s certainly a lot to say about Windu, from his role as a key figure in the Clone Wars to his battle with Darth Sidious, fan commentary tends to center not on his personality or achievements but rather on one particular accessory linked to him: his purple lightsaber. Much of the commentary revolves around one key question, “Why is Mace Windu’s lightsaber purple?”
There’s no mystery why Windu’s lightsaber attracts so much interest. Purple blades are exceedingly rare in the Star Wars universe; in fact, Windu was the first Jedi known to wield one in the current Canon. Outside, only a handful of Jedi in the non-canon Legends lore were purple lightsaber users. Since Windu, other Jedi like Venestra Rwoh joined the ranks of the rare Jedi who have earned the right to wield a purple lightsaber.
As Star Wars fans undoubtedly know, most Jedi typically wield a blue or green lightsaber. So why is Mace Windu’s lightsaber purple, anyway? That’s a question with two vastly different answers: one of them based in behind-the-scenes film production deliberations occurring here on Earth, and the other based in Star Wars mythology.
Mace Windu's Purple Lightsaber
Why Does Mace Windu Have a Purple Lightsaber: The Real-World Origin
The simplest and most direct explanation for Mace Windu’s lightsaber is that actor Samuel L. Jackson wanted his character to wield a purple blade on-screen. Jackson felt that a unique lightsaber color would enable his character to stand out among the sea of sabers on the screen during the chaotic Battle of Geonosis (from Star Wars: Episode II — Attack of the Clones). He also believed that his character, a high-ranking member of the Jedi Order and a seat on the High Council, was entitled to that kind of special consideration. As Jackson put it in a TV interview, “I’m like the second baddest Jedi in the universe next to Yoda.”
George Lucas, ever the purist about these matters, resisted Jackson’s proposal at first, but he eventually decided in post-production to add the purple to Windu’s lightsaber. If you watch the Battle of Geonosis from Attack of the Clones, you can see how Mace Windu’s lightsaber is easy to spot amid the ruckus.
That’s the real-world explanation for Mace Windu’s lightsaber color. But there is another explanation, which can be found in a relatively obscure (and non-canonical) corner of Star Wars mythology.
Why was Mace Windu’s Lightsaber Purple: The Star Wars Universe Origin
One possible origin for Mace Windu’s lightsaber color is recounted in the comic book Star Wars Tales #13, published by Dark Horse Comics in 2002. One of the stories in that issue, “Stones,” relates the journey of a 14-year-old Mace Windu, then a Jedi initiate, to the planet Hurikane at the behest of Yoda.
Windu’s mission is to locate the parts needed to construct his first lightsaber. He immediately runs into a problem, however, when he’s attacked by the native inhabitants. Easily repelling the assault, Windu accidentally causes one of the natives to fall into a gorge and sustain serious injuries. The Jedi initiate heals his adversary with help from the Force and, by way of thanks, is given a gift: purple crystals. He uses these Hurrikaine crystals to assemble his lightsaber, which emits a distinctive purple blade.
While many fans count this tale as crucial purple lightsaber lore, it must be kept in mind that this tale is considered part of non-canon Legends at the present time. It may well be that the true origin of Mace Windu’s purple lightsaber will be revealed sometime in the future.
Why is There a Purple Lightsaber? Another Point of View
In Star Wars Canon and lore, a lightsaber’s color is the result of a Jedi’s attunement to a kyber crystal, which powers the lightsaber’s blade. A kyber crystal is colorless until it connects with a Jedi, wherein it reveals that Force user’s color. This description is used to explain colors that aren’t the traditional green or blue lightsabers commonly associated with Jedi. It’s part of the explanation behind Rey Skywalker’s yellow lightsaber, and, from a certain point of view, could also be the reasoning behind Mace Windu’s purple lightsaber. Much like the origin described in Star Wars Tales #13, this is also unconfirmed.
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