Before there was the lightsaber, the Forcesaber was the roadmap to the Jedi’s signature weapon in Star Wars. Early forms of lightsabers originated from the First Blade prior to the Force Wars of Tython, where Jedi reverted to using sword-like weapons before the proper Jedi use was deemed fit for combat. There was an inconsistency between stability and the use of the lightsaber prototype that hindered the engineering of the sabers that elegantly slice their way through the galaxy. The Jedi remained unsure of how to perfect the most effective means of manufacturing their sabers where they were not distracted by the concern of them draining themselves of their power. Obi-Wan Kenobi bore the honor of introducing lightsabers to Luke Skywalker during Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope. When presenting Luke with his father’s lightsaber, he informed the young Jedi that “it is the weapon of a Jedi Knight. Not as clumsy or random as a blaster; an elegant weapon for a more civilized age.” While Obi-Wan informed Luke that the lightsaber was claimed by the Jedi, the Sith used them just as commonly after creating artificial Kyber Crystals. Known for their ability to slice through almost anything, these energy-beam blades became one of the most popular weapons in entertainment media.
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Force-sensitive Torguta Ahsoka Tano was found on Shili by Jedi Master Plo Koon. After her arrival at the Jedi Temple on the planet Coruscant, she was accepted as Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker’s Padawan. While Ahsoka studied under Anakin, she was more diligently shown the way of the Force by Jedi Grand Master Yoda. One of the main protagonists of both Star Wars: Rebels and Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Ahsoka proved herself as she participated in some of the galaxy’s most unforgiving battles. Her story faced her with some of the greatest challenges, both morally and physically, as she served on the front lines against unrelenting conflict. Star Wars: Rebels shared Ahsoka’s life through The Dark Times while facing off against Darth Vader’s Inquisitors. It was during this time that she had to accept the reality that Anakin had fully become Vader. Her journey continues past the limits of animation as Rosario Dawson brought the former Padawan to live-action during the second season of The Mandalorian. As an Ahsoka series on Disney+ draws near, a reflection on how Ahsoka first received her trademark white lightsabers is much needed and long overdue.
Did Ahsoka Use Any Other Lightsabers?
Lucasfilm Animation
Ahsoka didn’t always bear her twin lightsabers with her, nor were they her first lightsabers. Jedi traditions send Padawans to Ilum in order to retrieve a Kyber Crystal. These crystals would call out to Padawans who were determined to harvest them, and they would then use them as the source of power for their lightsabers. This green-bladed saber would accompany Tano through her foundational years as a Padawan before she would challenge herself and learn Jar’Kai: the art of wielding two sabers at once. In order to earn her second saber, Ahsoka made her return to Ilum where she would track down a second crystal necessary for her next weapon. A Kyber Crystal responds to the Force-user that they are intended on bonding with, and adapt as different personalities grow. Her initial saber had a common green hue to it, but the secondary crystal emitted a yellow-tinged chartreuse glow. Ahsoka lost her initial Shoto blade while fleeing accusations of bombing the Jedi Temple, and then later relinquished her weapons to the Jedi Council after choosing to dismiss herself from the Jedi Order altogether.
Where the White Lightsabers Were Found
For a third time, Ahsoka ventured to Ilum in search of Kyber Crystals to reconstruct a fresh set of sabers. She was to bear in mind that she was still in pursuit by the Empire, and needed to come up with a secondary solution that would guide her to where she could safely mine these crystals. She turned to the guide of the Force to which she shared hopes that it would safely direct her on her journey. She was sent to Raada as the song sung by her crystals called out to her, and, per CBR, while on her quest, was met by the Sixth Brother. During the battle, Ahsoka slew the Inquisitor after her use of the Force extracted the crystals that resided in the hilt of her opponent’s lightsaber. The connection to the pair of crystals was too strong for Ahsoka to leave them behind, though they were in great need of cleansing. After she absolved the crystals of impurities and graced them with the Light Side of the Force, the Torguta was able to craft companion sabers that ignite in a blaze of white.
The Significance of Ahsoka’s White Lightsabers
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Kyber Crystals and their colorful glow bear important symbolism in Star Wars. The crystals are intuitive enough to know their Jedi well enough that the color reflects their morals, ethics, and values. The indication of the lightsaber blade speaks volumes of its wielder before its wielder can speak on their own behalf. Characteristics and personality traits are connected to these crystals. Star Wars Geoge Lucas creator had admitted himself that he designated “blue for the good guys and red for the bad.” The third primary lightsaber color, green, emerged, and as the series pushed on, so did a diversity of Kyber Crystals. Each was assigned with a certain meaning or were commonly associated with intergalactic organizations. White lightsabers were an indicator that those who carried the blade rejected the pull of temptation of the Dark Side of the Force.
A more elaborate explanation of white lightsabers can suggest centrist points of view. Neutrality and the Force have been overshadowed by the extremist attitudes of both Jedi and Sith; and in between the two, a Gray Jedi emerges. Ahsoka made the decision to exit the Jedi Order after she could not see completely eye-to-eye with the keepers of the peace. Her actions have presented her as a Gray Jedi due to her harmonious relationship with the Force, but her lack of desire to fully commit to the Jedi Order. Ahsoka’s path of goodness further supports her identity as a Gray Jedi. Her mission to combat the forces of evil that troubled the galaxy was Jedi-like in nature without her fully subscribing to the zealous means of living in devotion to a singular belief. Star Wars: Rebels creator Dave Filoni confirmed that white sabers held larger symbolism when Ahsoka chose to remove herself from a binary view of the Force. The color white is a result of blending the three primary colors of light - red, blue, and green. Because the primary lightsaber colors are red, blue, and green, the white blade literally and metaphorically represents neutrality.
