Star Wars was first released in 1977. It was from then the fans have always been carried away by lightsabers and their different colors.
The iconic Jedi weapons have always expanded beyond the classic blue and red colors.
Usually, characters such as Yoda and Luke Skywalker are well-known for their green lightsabers. Those symbolize their deeper connection to the light side of the force.
However, on the contrary, most figures, such as Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi, were carrying blue lightsabers. These reflect their focus on protection and combat.
The Sith Characters, such as Darth Sidious and Darth Vader, have manipulated their lightsabers till they emitted a red glow.
Ashoka Tano stands out due to her white lightsabers. It was due to her efforts to heal those who were with corrupted red lightsabers. Some lightsaber colors, such as the Yellow one, were with Rey, who lacks a clear explanation.
In the Star Wars, Episode II: Attack of the Clones, we get to know about the first purple lightsaber. You might remember when it clashed with Jango Fett.
But there’s more to Mace Windu than just the color of his lightsaber.
He’s actually a skilled fighter who created his own lightsaber with a combat style known as Vaapad.
It is a tricky variation of the already challenging form VII (Juyo).
Let’s dive deeper into the history of this iconic weapon and the Jedi Master who wields it.
Did Mace Windu Have Another Lightsaber Before?
Mace Windu’s first lightsaber was blue before he made his purple one. After that, he returned his first blue weapon to Eet Koth, who entrusted it to him with the Concordance of Fealty.
It was a Jedi custom in which one wielder lent his lightsaber to another for a particular period. The process is entirely based on mutual trust and can be seen as a sign of dedication and righteousness.
Mace Windu’s Purple Lightsaber – First Appearance
Mace Windu’s lightsaber is unlike any other, with a predominantly gold and silver handle.
He received this distinctive lightsaber when he became a member of the Jedi Council.
The special look comes from the use of electrum, a rare metal, in crafting his weapon.
The prestigious rank inspired him to push his skills even further.
It helped him create the ultimate lightsaber with perfection. The plasma blade itself is a beautiful amethyst color, making Windu’s lightsaber truly stand out.
Reason Behind Mace Windu’s Purple Lightsaber
Hurikane – Purple Crystals
You can check the change of a blue lightsaber to a purple one in the episodes between 1 and 2 of Mace Windy.
The Star Wars universe entirely turned into a comic collection known as “Star Wars – Icons Volume 9.” The entire thing focused on Mace Windu.
In one of the stories titled “The Stones,” Mace Windu narrates his journey to obtain the special crystals for his unique lightsaber.
He had visions about his ideal lightsaber, but the thing is, he was unable to make it a reality. So, when he was 14 years old, Master Yoda sent him to the planet Hurikane with the motive to find a solution.
When he was on Hurikane, he encountered stone beings. It also included some purple fragments. In an unfortunate accident, one of the natives fell off a cliff and broke into pieces.
Mace Windu used the Force to bring the native back to life, saving him.
In gratitude, the rock started providing him with amethyst-colored Hurikane crystals, which he used for his distinctive purple lightsaber.
The Story Behind the Purple Lightsaber
The comic book tells us how Mace Windu got his famous Star Wars purple lightsaber.
It’s the answer fans have been looking for. It clearly explains why his lightsaber color changed.
Even though Mace Windu didn’t use the purple lightsaber in “Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace,” action figures of him with his original blue lightsaber are already out there. It’s a unique piece of Star Wars history.
The Will of Samuel L. Jackson
The reason Mace Windu’s lightsaber is purple is because the actor playing the same character, Samuel L. Jackson, wanted it that way.
When he found out about the Battle of Geonosis scene, he realized that with so many other Jedi having blue or green lightsabers, he might not stand out properly.
This concerned him because his character, Mace Windu, is powerful and holds a high rank among the Jedi.
After some persistence and discussions with George Lucas, the Star Wars creator, they agreed to give him a purple lightsaber, making Samuel L. Jackson quite happy.
The Meaning Behind Purple Lightsaber
Double bladed purple lightsaber is a perfect blend of both sides of the Force – light and dark. It is more like the character of Mace Windu, who used to struggle sometimes in making the right decisions.
He once killed Jango Fett without thinking twice and almost did the same thing with Palpatine.
The purple color also connects to the style Mace Windu follows when fighting, known as Vaapad. The saber uses some dark emotions, such as anger, which is similar to what the Sith does.
Even though Mace Windy was not supposed to have a purple lightsaber in the beginning, it goes well with his fighting style and the character he carries.
