Why did Rey's lightsaber turn yellow?
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Rey’s yellow lightsaber in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker has significant symbolic meaning and a unique history. Let’s explore why Rey's lightsaber turned yellow and what it represents.
Why Did Rey’s Lightsaber Turn Yellow?
Rey’s yellow lightsaber, revealed at the end of The Rise of Skywalker, has a number of symbolic and narrative reasons behind its appearance:
1. Symbol of Balance and the New Jedi Order
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Rey's lightsaber turning yellow represents a new path for the Jedi. It is not the typical blue or green lightsaber, which are traditionally associated with Jedi Guardians and Consulars, respectively. Instead, Rey’s yellow lightsaber signifies that she is forging her own way, outside the traditional Jedi classifications.
- Yellow lightsabers are historically linked to Jedi Sentinels in the Star Wars Expanded Universe (Legends), a group of Jedi who seek a balance between combat and knowledge. They are the guardians of the galaxy, combining lightsaber combat with practical skills, like tech expertise, diplomacy, and stealth. Sentinels were often tasked with protecting the Jedi Order and the galaxy at large, taking on jobs that required both wisdom and combat prowess.
- In The Rise of Skywalker, Rey’s yellow lightsaber hints that she’s moving beyond the traditional Jedi roles and embracing her own version of the Jedi path, one that combines elements from both the light and dark sides of the Force (without succumbing to the dark side). This new version of the Jedi Order is about balance rather than rigid tradition.
2. Rey’s Connection to Both the Light and Dark Sides
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Rey’s journey throughout the sequels emphasizes her connection to both the light side and the darker, more conflicted parts of her heritage (her connection to Palpatine, one of the greatest Sith Lords).
- The yellow lightsaber reflects Rey’s ability to maintain balance between these two aspects of her identity. She rejects the Sith, represented by her dark lineage, while embracing the light side, which ultimately allows her to forge a new future for the Jedi.
- The yellow color is often associated with neutrality and balance, symbolizing someone who is not just defined by the traditional rules of the Jedi or the Sith.
3. Rey as a New Hope for the Future
- The color of Rey’s lightsaber also represents her role in the galaxy after the fall of the Sith and the Empire. By the end of The Rise of Skywalker, Rey has defeated Palpatine, and the galaxy is in a period of healing.
- Yellow is a color that evokes hope, creativity, and renewal, and Rey is now tasked with leading the galaxy into a new era, where Jedi can be free from the dogma of the past.
- The fact that Rey creates her own lightsaber, rather than inheriting one from another Jedi, symbolizes her independence and her commitment to starting a new chapter for the Force.
4. Symbolic of Rey's Self-Made Weapon
- Rey's yellow lightsaber is also a symbol of her self-reliance. Throughout the sequel trilogy, Rey has built her own lightsabers, from salvaged materials, showing her ability to craft a weapon that reflects her own journey.
- She constructs this new lightsaber using the staff she used in her early life, further emphasizing her personal connection to the weapon. This reflects Rey's growth as a character who is creating her own destiny, rather than simply following in the footsteps of others like Luke or Anakin.
Symbolism of the Yellow Lightsaber in Star Wars Lore
In Star Wars lore (mainly the Legends universe), yellow lightsabers have a unique association with the Jedi Sentinels. Sentinels were Jedi who took on the task of defending the Jedi Order and the galaxy in a practical sense, focusing on security, stealth, and protection, blending both the wisdom of the Jedi Consulars and the combat skills of the Jedi Guardians.
- Jedi Sentinels were highly skilled in using the Force for non-combat purposes, such as investigation, counterintelligence, and problem-solving. The yellow lightsaber reflected their ability to function outside of the traditional roles of Guardians and Consulars, allowing them to tackle a variety of different challenges.
- In the canon films, the yellow lightsaber’s symbolic meaning is less focused on any particular role but rather is a broader symbol of Rey’s uniqueness and her independent path forward.
Why Rey’s Yellow Lightsaber Is Important for the Future of the Jedi
The yellow lightsaber signifies the next phase for the Jedi, one that is less dogmatic and more flexible. Rey's unique position as someone who was not born into Jedi tradition, but who learned from various Force users (including Leia Organa, Luke Skywalker, and her own knowledge of the Force), makes her a natural leader for this new era. She represents a more open-minded approach to the Force, one that is not defined by the strictness of the Jedi Order or the dark oppression of the Sith.
This is particularly important as it suggests that future Jedi will not necessarily need to adhere to the same rules and practices of their predecessors but can forge their own path with the Force.
Conclusion: The Meaning of Rey’s Yellow Lightsaber
Rey’s yellow lightsaber represents a new beginning for the Jedi Order and the Force as a whole. It symbolizes balance, independence, and hope for the future, where Jedi are no longer bound by the strict traditions of the past. As Rey forges her own path, her lightsaber color reflects her unique journey — one that combines elements of both the light side and the dark, while rejecting the extremes of both. It’s a beacon for the next generation of Jedi, who will forge their own destinies, just as Rey has done.
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