When it comes to Star Wars, there is very little that goes without explanation, especially when it comes to lightsabers. While casual audiences may be content with the explanation that a Jedi's weapon is whatever color it without much further explanation, the diehard fans could sit through a whole film while a single question nags at them: Why is Mace Windu's lightsaber purple?

Windu is not the only example of a purple lightsaber either, with Darth Revan from the Legends continuity famously wielding one. Whereas most lightsabers are either blue, green, or red, the purple lightsabers stand out as a noted exception to the pretty standard rules of Star Wars. While Legends continuity delved into such details, the current canon can make the history a bit harder to piece together across various disparate pieces of media. But for those who just need to understand what wielding a purple lightsaber really means, you can rest assured that there is indeed an explanation.

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The main factor dictating the color of a lightsaber is the interaction between the Force-user who constructs it and the item housed within its hilt. In order for the technological marvels of lightsabers to be possible, they require an extremely rare focusing lens, known as a kyber crystal, that can emit the energy necessary to produce the blade while directly it solely into the blade itself. Obviously a lightsaber would be a far less effective weapon if it melted in a Jedi's hand, so that's where the crystals come in handy

Kyber crystals likely gain their unique physical properties from their semi-sentience and connection with the Force. Younglings in the Jedi Order will venture to a depository known as the Crystal Cave in search of the exact right crystal for them. Exploring the caves involves a process of self-exploration, and various crystals will feel cold to the youngling's touch until they come across the right one. The crystal meant for them will call out to them, feel warm to the touch and, upon integration into a lightsaber, will produce a color reflective of the Jedi themselves.

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Part of what the amethyst color may represent is a tension between the Dark and Light Sides of the Force. Windu was renowned for his restraint and ability to resist the Dark Side's temptation, and Darth Revan proves to be an even more complicated mix of the disparate elements. In the Legends continuity, Revan alternated between serving the Jedi and the Sith at various points in his life, and the violet coloring of his lightsaber helps to represent the mixture between the red hues of the Dark Side and the blue hues of the Light.

Of course, most Dark Side users wield red lightsabers and the explanation behind that is not some quirk of coincidence. Whereas the green, blue, and purple colorings of the Jedi's lightsabers are reflective of who they are and their relationship with their kyber crystals, the crystals themselves exist in an inherent relationship with the Light Side. When a Dark Side user claims one and bends it to their will, they "bleed" the crystal and cause it to turn red.

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The fact that Darth Revan would often dual wield his violet blade with a different coloring helps further demonstrate his ability to play against both sides of the Force. It's important to keep in mind, however, that many of the details of Revan's existence in the canon are still a mystery. While he was referred to in passing in The Rise of Skywalker and included in a deleted scene of The Clone Wars, there is far less material about the character in canon to inform who he is and why he wielded the weapons he chose.

When it comes to Windu, though, there's a far more concrete explanation. Samuel L. Jackson, who portrayed the character in the prequel films, is more than happy to provide details as to the reasons behind his Jedi's color of choice. For Jackson, the answer is as simple as the actor specifically requesting it, wanting his character to stand out in the Battle of Geonosis where he could have been lost amidst all the other lightsabers present.

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