Having a lightsaber with a purple blade is very rare in the Star Wars universe. Only a few Jedi throughout history have wielded purple lightsabers. So which Jedi is known for having a purple lightsaber? The most famous is Mace Windu.
Mace Windu’s Purple Lightsaber
Mace Windu constructed his own uniquely hued lightsaber after achieving the rank of Jedi Master. The purple blade became iconic for Windu. He first wielded the purple-bladed lightsaber in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace and used it throughout the prequel trilogy.
Windu was a senior member of the Jedi High Council and served as the Order’s champion before its fall. His combat skills were unmatched, making him one of the greatest swordsmen in Jedi history. Windu developed the seventh form of lightsaber combat known as Vaapad. The aggressive dueling style channeled his inner darkness into fighting prowess.
The color purple resulted from Windu’s use of an amethyst crystal in his lightsaber. Most Jedi used blue or green crystals, while red crystals created Sith blades. The purple color symbolized Windu’s balance between the light and dark sides of the Force.
Windu wielded his purple-bladed lightsaber against opponents like the bounty hunter Jango Fett and even the Sith Lord Darth Sidious. His lightsaber skills were so formidable that Windu was able to defeat Sidious in a duel despite the darksider’s immense power.
Other Jedi With Purple Lightsabers
While Mace Windu is the most famous, he wasn’t the only Jedi to wield a purple-bladed lightsaber:
- The Jedi Kirak Infil’a used a purple lightsaber before Windu during the New Sith Wars.
- Jedi Master Zez-Kai Ell was known to wield a purple lightsaber during the Clone Wars era.
- Jedi Council member Jocasta Nu, the Chief Librarian of the Jedi Archives, also used a purple lightsaber.
- Imperial Knight Treis Sinde was among the few light side adepts to use a purple lightsaber after the fall of the Jedi Order.
However, these other purple-bladed Jedi didn’t achieve the same notoriety as Mace Windu. His skills as a swordsman and status as a senior Jedi Master made his purple lightsaber an iconic part of the prequel trilogy.
The Significance of the Purple Blade
So why was Windu’s purple lightsaber so significant?
- It distinguished Windu from other Jedi and showed his unique fighting style and mastery of Vaapad.
- The purple color highlighted Windu’s balance between the light and dark sides of the Force.
- It cemented Windu as a formidable warrior, as few could match his dueling prowess.
- The purple blade made Windu stand out as an authoritative Jedi Master and Council member.
Windu’s purple lightsaber ultimately became an extension of his identity. Both friend and foe alike knew Mace Windu by his iconic purple-bladed weapon.
Why Don’t More Jedi Use Purple Lightsabers?
With how distinctive Mace Windu’s purple lightsaber was, it begs the question – why didn’t more Jedi construct purple lightsabers as well? There are a few potential reasons:
- Creating purple lightsaber blades took rare amethyst crystals, which were hard to find.
- Most Jedi didn’t have Mace Windu’s unique balance of light and dark needed to harness a purple crystal.
- The Jedi Council may have seen purple lightsabers as unnecessary since blue and green blades were traditional.
- Many Jedi simply followed the norm of using blue or green crystals out of custom rather than necessity.
While the materials needed to make purple lightsabers were rare, it seems custom and tradition prevented them from becoming more widespread. Mace Windu’s purple blade remained unique as a result.
The Fate of Mace Windu’s Lightsaber
Mace Windu wielded his purple-bladed lightsaber up until his death in Revenge of the Sith. After dueling Darth Sidious, Windu was betrayed by Anakin Skywalker and subsequently killed by Sidious’ Force lightning.
Windu’s lightsaber fell from the window of Palpatine’s office on Coruscant after his death. What became of it afterwards remains unknown in current Star Wars canon.
In the Legends continuity, Windu’s lightsaber was recovered by an aide of Palpatine’s and kept locked away for years. It was eventually returned to the Jedi Temple by a redeemed Imperial guard and remained there as a memorial to Mace Windu.
Regardless of its fate, Mace Windu’s iconic purple-bladed lightsaber remains an integral part of his character and Jedi legacy.
Could Other Jedi Use Purple Lightsabers in the Future?
With Mace Windu’s story seemingly over, some fans have wondered if future Jedi could use purple lightsabers to honor his legacy. While possible, it seems unlikely for a few reasons:
- The Jedi Order is essentially gone after Order 66, with only remnants like Luke Skywalker left.
- Purple crystal materials are still extremely rare.
- Creating purple blades requires a dedicated balance of light/dark that few Jedi possess.
While not fully impossible, it’s improbable that Luke or any new Jedi would go out of their way to construct purple lightsabers specifically. Mace Windu’s iconic purple blade remains unique to his character alone.
Conclusion
In the end, Mace Windu stands out as the definitive Jedi with a purple lightsaber. His combat prowess and balance between light and dark allowed Windu to construct the rare purple blade. While a few other Jedi wielded purple lightsabers, none matched the fame and reputation of Windu.
The purple color distinguished Windu from other Jedi of his era. It represented his fighting style and mastery of the Force. Even now, the purple lightsaber remains inextricably linked to Mace Windu’s identity and legacy.