What is white lightsaber?

White lightsabers are a distinctive and rare type of lightsaber in the Star Wars universe. Unlike more common lightsaber colors like blue, green, or red, white lightsabers are less frequently seen and have a unique significance. Here are some key points about them:

  1. Ahsoka Tano: One of the most notable characters associated with white lightsabers is Ahsoka Tano, a former Jedi Padawan who appears in both "Star Wars: The Clone Wars" and "Star Wars Rebels." After leaving the Jedi Order, Ahsoka builds new lightsabers with white blades, symbolizing her neutrality and independence from the Jedi and Sith.

  2. Kyber Crystals: Lightsaber colors are traditionally determined by the kyber crystals used in the construction of the weapon. For white lightsabers, the color comes from "healed" or "purified" kyber crystals. Ahsoka, for example, purified the crystals she recovered from a Sith Inquisitor's lightsaber, which originally emitted a red blade.

  3. Symbolism: White lightsabers often symbolize balance, neutrality, and a path that diverges from traditional Jedi or Sith paths. They reflect a user's commitment to justice and peace without being bound to the dogma of either side.

  4. Rarity: Due to the purification process required to create them, white lightsabers are rare in the Star Wars lore. They represent a personal journey and evolution for those who wield them, highlighting a deeper understanding of the Force that transcends traditional affiliations.

  5. Canon and Legends: While white lightsabers appear in current Star Wars canon, notably through Ahsoka, they also have instances in the Star Wars Legends (expanded universe) material where unique and rare lightsaber colors were explored in various stories and settings.

Overall, white lightsabers carry significant narrative weight in the Star Wars saga, representing characters who chart their own course in the galaxy.