In Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, the climax of the Skywalker saga, audiences witnessed a moment that was both symbolic and visually stunning: Rey's homemade lightsaber ignited, giving off a distinctive yellow glow. This color choice, a departure from the traditional blue, green, and red lightsabers most commonly seen by Jedi and Sith, sparked a great deal of curiosity and excitement. Why is Rey's lightsaber yellow? What does it mean in the larger context of the Star Wars universe? The answer lies at the intersection of tradition, symbolism, and narrative development.
Rey's yellow lightsaber
Rey's relationship with lightsabers began with the legendary Skywalker lightsaber, which called to her in Star Wars: The Force Awakens. This moment is not only crucial for Rey's character, but for the audience as well, marking her integral role in the ongoing saga. However, in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, we see Rey take an important step in her journey as she forges her own lightsaber.
The yellow lightsaber looks more like an original design, with Rey making the hilt herself from some metal parts, demonstrating her mastery of salvaged parts and repurposing. However, how she obtained the yellow kyber crystal remains a mystery.
Luke Skywalker once wielded a yellow lightsaber after losing his blue lightsaber, and Rey may have found the sword and decided to inherit it.
How Rey got Anakin's lightsaber
In Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015), Rey comes into contact with Anakin's lightsaber for the first time. This lightsaber has a rich history as it once belonged to Anakin Skywalker and was later wielded by his son Luke Skywalker.
- The discovery of the lightsaber:
In the movie, Rey and Finn come to Takodana in order to find BB-8 and help the resistance, and discover this in Maz Kanata's castle A lightsaber. The lightsaber was placed in a box, and when Rey touched it, she experienced a series of intense visual and auditory visions that revealed her deep connection to the Force.
Maz Katana explains:
After Rey experienced a vision, Maz Katana found her and explained that the lightsaber was waiting for a new owner. Maz tried to convince Rey to embrace the lightsaber and face her connection to the Force, but Rey initially refused, fearful and confused by this new information.
Star Wars: The Last Jedi
In Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017), Rey continues her journey to try to find and convince Luke Skywalker to return to the Resistance, while further exploring her relationship with the Force.
- Interaction with Luke:
Rey finds Luke and hands him the lightsaber. However, Luke became frustrated with the lightsaber and his past as a Jedi, and chose to ditch the lightsaber. Despite this, Rey persisted in learning the Force and eventually left Luke with the lightsaber to continue her mission.
- Lightsaber damage:
In the film's climax, Rey competes with Kylo Ren for this lightsaber during a battle between the Resistance and the First Order. The lightsaber was torn in half as the two pulled at it.
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker
The lightsaber's story continues in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019), where Rey finally completes her journey.
- Lightsaber fixes:
Rey repaired the lightsaber by using her skills and knowledge. The restoration of the lightsaber symbolizes Rey's acceptance of her fate and preparation for the final showdown between Emperor Palpatine and the First Order.
- The legacy of the lightsaber:
At the end of the movie, Rey uses this lightsaber and her own new lightsaber to fight together, successfully defeating Palpatine and saving the galaxy. Later, Rey buried this lightsaber with Leia's lightsaber in Luke's former home on Tatooine, symbolizing the end of the past and the beginning of new hope.
Rey uses several lightsabers
Anakin Skywalker's lightsaber: This is the lightsaber she primarily wields in Star Wars: The Force Awakens and Star Wars: The Last Jedi. The lightsaber originally belonged to Anakin Skywalker, was later passed to Luke Skywalker, and was eventually found by Rey.
Rey's Homemade Yellow Lightsaber: At the end of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, Rey is shown a new lightsaber that she made herself. The color of this lightsaber is yellow.
Rey also briefly wielded two lightsabers (Luke's and Leia's) against Emperor Palpatine in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, but this was primarily a temporary use and not Her long-held lightsaber.
The Symbolism of the Yellow Lightsaber
Yellow lightsabers, while rare in the Skywalker Saga, have profound significance in Star Wars lore. Historically, in the expanded universe now known as Legends, and in the animated series, yellow lightsabers have often been associated with the Jedi Sentinel class. Combining combat skills with knowledge beyond physical strength, such as technology and intelligence gathering, these Jedi embody a holistic understanding of the Force. Additionally, the yellow lightsaber is the symbol of the Jedi Temple Guard, symbolizing protection, vigilance, and a commitment to maintaining peace and balance in the Jedi Order and the galaxy.
So Rey's choice to appear in yellow (or Crystal's choice of Rey to appear) says a lot about her character and the new path she's forging for the Jedi. It marked the Jedi Order's departure from traditionalist views and toward a more balanced and inclusive understanding of the Force. Rey embodies both the light and dark sides of the Force, representing a new era of Jedi who understand the importance of balancing these two forces.
In conclusion
Rey's lightsaber is also a beacon of hope, a signal that she is always ready to protect and guide others. As the story ends, Rey assumes the important role of guardian and guide, preparing to lead the Jedi and the entire galaxy into a new chapter. This yellow lightsaber is extremely rare in the history of the galaxy and symbolizes a new dawn, reflecting Rey's journey from obscurity to becoming the galaxy's new beacon.