Lightsabers are an iconic weapon in the Star Wars universe. Most lightsabers emit a glowing blade of plasma in various colors like blue, green, purple, or red. However, some rare lightsabers have a dark black blade. So what does a black lightsaber signify in Star Wars?
What is a lightsaber?
A lightsaber is a fictional energy sword featured prominently in the Star Wars franchise. It consists of a plasma blade, powered by a kyber crystal, that can cut through virtually anything. Lightsabers are used both as weapons and as symbols of the Jedi and Sith orders. Though extremely rare, black lightsabers with dark black blades do exist in Star Wars lore.
Key Facts About Lightsabers
- Emitted a blade of magnetically contained plasma about 3 feet long
- Powered by kyber crystals found on select planets
- Can be tuned to various colors based on the kyber crystal
- Require Jedi training and Force-sensitivity to use effectively
- Serve as symbols of the Jedi and Sith orders
What does a black lightsaber blade mean?
A black lightsaber blade represents several dark aspects of the Force and those who wield such a weapon:
Corruption by the Dark Side
Black kyber crystals powering a lightsaber are extremely rare, but can occur when a normal kyber crystal is corrupted and “bled” by a powerful Dark Side user. This represents the crystal’s fall to the Dark Side.
Death and Decay
The black blade evokes death, decay, and necrosis – apt for Sith and others who draw power from such dark emotions and states.
A Wound in the Force
A black kyber crystal represents a wound in the Force. White crystals represent the living Force, so black crystals are a perversion – a manifestation of the Dark Side’s corruption.
Stealth and Deception
The black blade’s darkness can lend itself to stealth, concealment, and deceit – useful for those who operate in shadow and secrecy.
History of Black Lightsabers
Very few black lightsabers have existed in the Star Wars canon. Significant black blades include:
The Darksaber
This ancient black-bladed lightsaber was created by Tarre Vizsla, the first Mandalorian to become a Jedi Knight. After his death, it became a symbol of power and leadership among the Mandalorians.
Darth Vader’s Lightsaber (Legends)
In the “Legends” novels, Darth Vader constructs a black lightsaber after losing his original blue one. It represents his complete fall to the Dark Side.
The Clone Wars Darksaber (Legends)
In a novelization of an unaired episode of The Clone Wars, Sidious possesses a black-bladed lightsaber and duels Maul and Savage Opress with it.
Luke Skywalker’s Dark Side Vision
In Marvel’s 2015 Star Wars comic series, Luke has a vision of himself with a black lightsaber, representing a possible dark future.
Kylo Ren’s Crossguard Lightsaber
Kylo Ren’s unusual lightsaber features a black-colored hilt and quillons on the sides, evoking a medieval greatsword.
Significance in Jedi and Sith Lore
The emergence of a black lightsaber, whether by corruption or new construction, carries deep symbolism and meaning in Jedi and Sith traditions.
Jedi Lore
To the Jedi, a black lightsaber represents either a catastrophic failing of a Jedi to the Dark Side, or a Sith artifact of the Dark Side itself. Either way, it is considered an abomination against the light of the Jedi Order.
Sith Lore
For the Sith, a black lightsaber is a badge of honor representing the deepest mastery of the Dark Side of the Force. It inspires fear and shows that its wielder cannot be redeemed by the Jedi.
Famous Wielders of Black Lightsabers
While black blades are incredibly rare, they have been wielded by some powerful Force users over the centuries. The most notable include:
Tarre Vizsla
The first Mandalorian to join the Jedi Order. He crafted the legendary Darksaber with a unique black blade.
Pre Vizsla
A Mandalorian who stole the Darksaber and became leader of the Death Watch faction during the Clone Wars.
Moff Gideon
An Imperial remnant leader who somehow acquired the Darksaber to establish dominance despite not being Mandalorian.
Darth Sidious (Legends)
Emperor Palpatine/Darth Sidious wields a black lightsaber while dueling Darth Maul and Savage Opress in a Legends storyline.
Construction of a Black Lightsaber
Forging a black lightsaber is incredibly difficult and requires mastery of both lightsaber construction and the Dark Side of the Force.
Corrupting a Kyber Crystal
The most common way is by corrupting a standard lightsaber crystal with the Dark Side through a process known as “bleeding.” This turns the crystal red, then black.
Synthetic Crystal
Alternatively, a black synthetic crystal could be constructed using the Force, but this requires immense knowledge and skill.
Forging Process
After obtaining a black kyber crystal, the lightsaber forging process is similar to a normal one. But the negative energy makes it harder to stabilize the components.
Meanings Outside of Star Wars Lore
The black lightsaber evokes several symbolic meanings that resonate beyond the Star Wars universe:
Rebellion
The Darksaber’s black blade originally represented Tarre Vizsla’s rebellion against the Jedi Order’s limits on lightsaber colors.
Corruption
The “bleeding” process shows how even noble Jedi can turn bad when exposed to the corruptive force of evil.
Individuality
A black blade stands out against the crowd, representing a willingness to be different and break conformity.
Power
The rarity and difficulty of making a black lightsaber reinforces its association with possessing great power and mastery of skills.
Conclusion
In summary, a black lightsaber represents the Dark Side of the Force, both in Star Wars lore and in a broader symbolic sense. It is directly associated with death, decay, evil, and corruption – but also with great power and rejection of norms. The black blade is an immense challenge to construct and is wielded only by those with great knowledge, determination, and Force ability. For this reason, black lightsabers inspire awe and fear across the galaxy.