Why did Luke's lightsaber call Rey?
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In Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015), Luke Skywalker's lightsaber plays a significant role in connecting Rey to the greater legacy of the Jedi. The lightsaber calling to Rey is a key plot point that hints at Rey’s hidden connection to the Force, and it has several layers of meaning, both within the story and the broader context of the Star Wars universe.
1. The Call of the Lightsaber
The lightsaber, once wielded by both Anakin Skywalker and later Luke Skywalker, has a long and storied history. It represents the legacy of the Jedi and their struggles against the Sith, as well as the Skywalker family’s legacy. In The Force Awakens, when Rey touches the lightsaber for the first time, she experiences a vision filled with fragmented memories. The lightsaber seems to "call" to her because it is not merely a weapon—it's a symbol of connection to the Force.
This moment is important for several reasons:
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Connection to the Force: Rey, at this point in the story, is still unaware of her true connection to the Force. The lightsaber "calling" her indicates that she is deeply connected to the mystical energy field that binds the galaxy together. This foreshadows her eventual realization of her powers, which she comes to understand more fully later in the trilogy.
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Legacy of the Skywalkers: The lightsaber was originally Anakin's—used in some of the most pivotal moments in the Star Wars saga. It is deeply tied to the Skywalker family’s legacy. For Rey, the lightsaber’s call can be seen as a manifestation of the pull the Force has on her, especially considering that it is revealed in The Rise of Skywalker (2019) that she is the granddaughter of Emperor Palpatine. While this family connection complicates the story, it also emphasizes that Rey is drawn to the lightsaber because of her unique Force sensitivity and her unacknowledged Skywalker bloodline.
2. Symbol of the Jedi's Hope
The lightsaber is also symbolic of hope for the Jedi Order's restoration. After the fall of the Jedi and the rise of the Sith in the original trilogy, the lightsaber represented the last hope for balance in the Force. Luke, after his failure with his Jedi training academy and his retreat into exile, abandoned the lightsaber, leaving it on the planet Ahch-To. When Rey finds the saber, it signifies that there may yet be another chance for the Jedi to return, and that Rey might be the one to restore balance.
This is further reinforced by Maz Kanata's words, when she says to Rey: "The saber... it calls to you." She urges Rey to take the lightsaber, acknowledging that it has a purpose for her that she doesn't yet fully understand.
3. The Role of Rey's Vision
When Rey touches the lightsaber, she has a vision that spans multiple points in time. She sees Anakin Skywalker (as Darth Vader), Obi-Wan Kenobi, and herself in the vision. This experience indicates that the Force is revealing her connection to the past and future. The lightsaber itself becomes an anchor for this vision, pulling her into an understanding of the deep Force legacy she is part of.
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Anakin's Legacy: Anakin Skywalker was the Chosen One, whose destiny was to bring balance to the Force. His lightsaber, which Rey later wields, is central to that legacy. For Rey to be called by the saber suggests that her role in the galaxy’s future is tied to Anakin’s past.
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Rey’s Role: The vision not only connects Rey to the past but also foreshadows her future. She is part of the ongoing battle between the light and dark sides of the Force, much like the previous wielders of the lightsaber. The lightsaber calling to Rey is a marker of her destiny in the larger conflict between the Jedi and the Sith.
4. Thematic Significance: Destiny and Choice
In Star Wars, lightsabers are not just weapons—they are symbols of destiny and choice. The lightsaber that calls to Rey also represents her choice to step into a new role. She is not simply chosen by destiny to wield it; she has the power to decide her future. When Rey takes the saber, she makes a conscious choice to embrace her role in the ongoing battle, deciding to continue the Jedi legacy and stand against the dark forces that threaten the galaxy.
The lightsaber’s call to Rey can be interpreted as the Force guiding her toward her purpose, but it’s ultimately her choice whether she answers that call. This mirrors Luke’s own journey, as he also had to decide whether to embrace his connection to the Force and fight for the galaxy’s future.
5. Symbolic of Rey's Connection to the Past and the Future
By the end of The Rise of Skywalker, Rey has embraced her place in the legacy of the Jedi. She even takes on the name "Rey Skywalker," symbolically linking herself to the Skywalker family, and by extension, the legacy of the Force. The lightsaber, which was once a symbol of Anakin's fall and redemption, then became a beacon of hope in Rey’s hands. It represents the connection between the past and the future, with Rey as the bridge between them.
Conclusion: Why Did Luke's Lightsaber Call Rey?
Luke’s lightsaber called to Rey because it was more than just a weapon—it was a symbol of the Force's will, connecting her to the Jedi legacy and her place in the larger cosmic struggle. The Force was guiding Rey, just as it had guided Luke before her, and the lightsaber served as a pivotal tool in her journey of self-discovery. The call was a signal that Rey was the next generation’s hope, and that she, like the Skywalkers before her, would be a central figure in the galaxy's fate.
Learn More About Luke Skywalker and Rey:
The lightsaber’s call to Rey is a critical moment in her evolution as a Jedi, drawing her into the galaxy’s ongoing struggle for balance. It ties together the past, present, and future of the Star Wars saga in a way that sets her on a path toward becoming one of the most important figures in the galaxy's history.
