The lightsaber is arguably the most recognizable feature of the Star Wars franchise. Although many people believe lightsabers can't be utilized by anyone other than the Jedi, this couldn't be further from the truth. These weapons can only be wielded by Force-sensitive individuals, Jedi or otherwise, making them extremely valuable additions to a warrior's arsenal.

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Lightsabers can block attacks, slice through practically any material, and also reflect blaster bolts with incredible precision. More impressively, a few Force-users have proven themselves capable of absorbing Force Lightning with their weapons. There's plenty in their history that only hardcore Star Wars fans remember.

10 Lightsabers Precede The Galatic Republic

Star Wars Lightsaber — Protosabers

Lightsabers have been around for eons. They precede the establishment of the Galatic Republic by approximately 25,000 years. The earliest versions of this weapon were known as proto-sabers or laser swords, one of which was eventually discovered on the planet of Mustafar.

The proto-sabers were distinct from their modern counterparts in several ways, most lacking the stereotypical lightsaber's plasma blade. It's currently unknown if proto-sabers were more or less powerful than lightsabers but since technology tends to progress and evolve it seems safe to say lightsabers are more powerful. However, even in a thousand years, it's easy to lose and rediscover a technology, so there are probably forgotten and experimental proto-sabers in remote parts of the galaxy.

9 There Are Dozens Of Lightsaber Variations, Including The Unorthodox Lightwhip

Star Wars Lightsaber — Lightwhip

Lightsabers have been heavily modified and adapted over the course of millennia, developing unique variations based on the original concept. These include double-bladed lightsabers, broadsabers, cane lightsabers, split sabers, shoto sabers, lightsaber pikes, and curved-hilt lightsabers, among other innovative adaptations.

There are also lightsabers that spin around a central axis, vastly augmenting the wielder's defense. One of the quirkier versions is the lightwhip, whose pliable blade can twist itself around targets. Obviously, these variations are powerful, but they can also be dangerous to their owners. Weightless plasma blades are already incredibly hazardous weapons and it's easy for even the most astute Jedi or Sith to sever their own limbs with these more eccentric blades.

8 Kyber Crystals Can Store Memories

Star Wars Lightsaber — Kyber Memory Crystal

Kyber crystals were once extolled as an extension of the classic elements, explaining their cultural relevance to Star Wars' ancient societies. They "focus energy and amplify its intensity," making them invaluable to both the Jedi and the Sith. Most kyber crystals can be found powering lightsabers, but a specialized subtype called the Kyber memory crystal exists.

This particular crystal contains the names "of every known Force-sensitive child in the galaxy, the future younglings, and the future of the Jedi Order." Fortunately, the memory crystal cannot be accessed without using a Holocron device.

7 The Lightsaber's Mechanism Is Deceptively Complex

Luke checks out the lightsaber Obi-Wan Kenobi just gave him in Star Wars: A New Hope

In The Clone Wars, Jedi Professor Huyang reveals the complicated process behind lightsaber construction, stating that kyber crystals are "useless unless you give them life." The weapon's casing camouflages an intricate array of electric and electronic components, each of which needs to be in perfect sync for the mechanism to function properly.

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Field energizers, emitter matrices, blade-size tuners, modulation circuits, electric insulators, discharge cells, and power setting switches are some elements needed to build a lightsaber. This means Jedi and Sith are surprisingly skilled technologists and engineers, though they rarely seem to use this part of their training after they've constructed their signature weapons

6 Lightsabers Aren't Just Weapons

Star Wars Lightsaber — Darth Vader and Kenobi

Although lightsabers are largely employed in combat, they're used for more than just fighting. Lightsabers are important in Jedi rituals and are often used for wilderness survival. Padawan knighting ceremonies involve a ritualized haircut where the Jedi Master chops off the Padawan's braid with a lightsaber. These weapons generate copious amounts of radiant and thermal energy, so Jedi use them as heat and light sources in the field.

Lightsabers belonging to dead Jedi warriors are shattered, and their respective crystals are incorporated into the Jedi Temple's Kyber Arch. This symbolic structure provides a link to Jedi history, sometimes calling to Jedi warriors to cross it as a meditation on unity and sacrifice.

5 A Few Materials Can Withstand Lightsaber Attacks

Star Wars Lightsaber — Resistant Materials

Active lightsabers pulse with energy. Their wielders aren't "fighting with a simple blade as much as [they] are directing a current of power." These plasma blades effortlessly carve through flesh, bone, rock, and metal, but there are a few materials capable of withstanding blows from plasma blades.

Some examples of plasma-resistant materials include the crimson armor worn by Snoke's Elite Praetorian Guard, the Zillo Beast's skin, kohlen crystal energy barriers, and metals like Beskar & Phrik. This, and Kyber crystals' rarity, is one of the only factors that has prevented the Sith and Jedi from completely dominating the galaxy with their unstoppable weapons.

4 Lightsaber Hilts Can Be Stylish Or Garish

Star Wars Lightsaber — Hilt

Lightsaber hilts are almost always based on the forger's personal aesthetic and philosophy. Most hilts are constructed using basic alloys, but a few of them employ rare substances from around the galaxy, like Cartusion whalebone, black onk, Haysian smelt, pastillion ore, and Brylark wood.

Gemstones and precious metals are sometimes incorporated into lightsaber hilts, although this isn't a common practice. Accomplished combatants may get away with ornamental hilts, but novices fare better with practical, minimalistic designs. This reflects some lightsaber dueling styles as well, as only a master can get away with the flashiest attacks.

3 Jocasta Nu's Iconic Lightsaber Rifle Didn't Defeat Darth Vader

Star Wars Lightsaber — Jocasta Nu

Jocasta Nu, the Chief Librarian of the Jedi Archives and a Master of the Jedi Order, is arguably among the shrewdest Force-users in the Galaxy. Fully cognizant of her own physical limitations, Nu resorts to alternative strategies like building a functional lightsaber rifle in the midst of battle.

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This rifle emits five blasts of energy before being rendered inoperational, but each shot contains enough concussive power to level a small building. Despite her impressive show of force, Darth Vader ultimately defeated Jocasta Nu, his raw speed and power overcoming her improvisational skill..

2 Lightsaber Blades Come In A Wide Range Of Colors

Star Wars Lightsaber — Colors

A New Hope (1977) and The Empire Strikes Back (1980) used red and blue lightsabers for the Sith and the Jedi, respectively. However, Luke Skywalker's lightsaber in Return of the Jedi (1983) was intentionally colored neon-green.

Mace Windu's violet blade was introduced in Attack of the Clones (2002), while Rey procured a brand-new yellow lightsaber in The Rise of Skywalker (2019). Star Wars animated series and video games added several lightsaber colors to the story, including sky-blue, magenta, white, orange, cobalt, and turquoise. While many of these colors are well-known, all lightsaber colors have hidden meanings attached to them, reflecting various elements of Jedi philosophy and factions within the Jedi Order.

1 The Darksaber Is The Only Known Black Lightsaber In Star Wars Canon

Star Wars Lightsaber — Darth Maul

Jedi Knight, Tarre Vizsla, created the Darksaber roughly a millennium before Darth Sidious' reign as Emperor Palpatine. This legendary weapon is the only known black-bladed lightsaber in Star Wars canon, making its first appearance in The Clone Wars, and in spite of its short reach it's well-known as one of the galaxy's deadliest lightsabers.

The Darksaber changes hands on numerous occasions, ultimately reaching Din Djarin in The Mandalorian. Its blade is shorter than a standard lightsaber's and the weapon produces a high-frequency squeal when it's activated. Most significantly, the Darksaber's owner is traditionally considered the ruler of Mandalore and its powerful host of warriors. That said, the Darksaber's history is relatively obscure and despite its significance to Mandalorians, there's a lot even hardcore fans don't know about its powers and its future.

Next: The 7 Lightsaber Color Meanings, Explained