The lightsaber is one of the most iconic symbols in all Star Wars. It’s an impressive weapon, symbolising power and technology – making it both a part of its world and one with which we are familiar.
It’s a programmable, semi-weightless plasma blade that can be cut to any length. This unique feature enables users to manipulate and cut it, giving them an edge not easily replicated by other swords.
The Blade
The lightsaber is one of the most iconic weapons in Star Wars. It serves as both a symbol for the light and dark sides of the Force, making it both Jedi and Sith in power.
A lightsaber is a potent weapon that can slice through virtually any material. It is a staple of both the Jedi and Sith Order canon, being wielded by both Jedi and non-Force-sensitive characters in various ways throughout the series.
As its name suggests, a lightsaber’s blade is made from plasma — an electromagnetic state of matter capable of cutting through almost anything. Plasma is integral to its construction and is the source of its energy and combat potential.
Lightsaber blades come in various colours, depending on the kyber crystal used to craft them. Blue-bladed sabers are standard issues for Jedis in the Star Wars universe, while Sith warriors have long favoured red-bladed swords.
In addition to the standard blue and green lightsaber design, Star Wars: The Expanded Universe has introduced several variations. These include the “lightwhip,” an elongated flexible blade used for whipping, and the “shoto,” a significantly shorter weapon used by dual-wielding Jedi as a defensive measure.
The Hilt
The hilt is an integral part of a lightsaber. It is held during combat and controls its power, made of various materials to fit each user’s fighting style. Hils can vary in size, shape, and weight to match different weapons’ grips.
Star Wars universe contains a wide variety of hilts. Some are shorter and intended for off-hand use, like Yoda’s shoto; others feature double-bladed or curved designs that require more skill to construct; thus, Jedi and Sith often make them with great focus and attention to detail.
Hilts have also been made from unusual materials, like Beskar. This strong material can be as durable as metal, so Jedi and Sith could often craft these hilts. In some cases, they would even go so far as to incorporate it into a lightsaber blade!
Hilts can be made of various materials and have different colours, shapes, and designs. This information can be helpful when choosing the ideal lightsaber for you; some prefer darker hilts because they help them blend in better with their environment while looking more realistic.
Another popular hilt style is the fire saber, which features a single blade misaligned, so its crystals cause energy around it to flare outward. While less efficient than standard lightsabers, this weapon can still cause significant damage if struck directly.
Some of these blades can be incredibly unstable, making them susceptible to blowing up in the user’s hands. It makes them difficult to handle and could result in serious injury if not appropriately designed.
The Lights
The lightsaber is one of the most iconic weapons in Star Wars. It debuted in the original movie and has since appeared throughout all franchise films, including prequels and sequels. This plasma blade, invented by George Lucas, emits light through its metal hilt.
Jedi Knights and Sith Lords use lightsabers, which were developed with more sophistication than blasters. While blasters can be fired by simply holding the weapon, creating a lightsaber requires an elaborate ceremony. To begin, Jedi or Sith must journey to Ilum where they must mine rare kyber crystals – these crystals connect to the Force, allowing Jedi to focus on using their lightsaber during battle.
Once a Jedi or Sith obtains their kyber crystal, they must connect with it and Bendu to shape it into an ideal lightsaber. After shaping, the crystal can be placed within the hilt to power the blade; once complete, either Jedi or Sith is ready to wield their new toy confidently!
Though its original concept was straightforward, lightsabers have evolved into various variations. Aside from the basic model, other types include short double-phase and dual-bladed versions that rotate when wielded by either Jedi or Sith warriors. Some even come mounted on rotating rings to fly as the user manipulates them.