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People use an assortment of weapons in a galaxy far, far away, but none are more well-known than lightsabers. The laser swords inStar Warsare the primary weapons used by the Jedi in their neverending battle against the Sith.
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But so, too, have the Sith learned to wield the power of lightsabers. However, the dark side users must complete a different method to construct their lightsabers as compared to the Jedi. So, what does it take to make a red lightsaber? We take a look at the general history of lightsabers and how exactly the Sith construct theirs.
Kyber Crystals
The main source of power in lightsabers comes fromKyber Crystals. Also known as Kairburr Crystals, these crystals possessconcentrated energy through the Force,and some claim they have a collective consciousness. The crystals are a vital component in the making of lightsabers, as the energy inside the crystals is what forms the plasma blade.
Kyber Crystals grow throughout the galaxy, but most Jedi find them on the ice planetIlum. Younglings would travel to this planet as part of their Jedi training to find their own crystal and construct their lightsaber.
In special circumstances, the Kyber Crystals have emitted different shades, like theyellow lightsabersused by Jedi Temple Guards, Mace Windu’spurple lightsaber, and Ahsoka Tano’swhite lightsabers.
When they’re searching for a crystal, theForce will guide themto a specific one. If you match with a crystal, you willhear the crystal’s music and harmony,but if it’s the wrong crystal, then it will becold to the touch. Before they are chosen, Kyber Crystalslack colorbut typically turn intoblue or greenblades after they’ve paired with a Jedi. Ultimately, the blade’s color will match the nature of the Jedi who bonded with the crystal.
Bleeding Crystals
Although the Sith use lightsabers with Kyber Crystals, their methods of constructing such weapons differ from those of the Jedi. Unlike the Jedi,the Sith cannot create a bond with Kyber Crystals. Because the crystals are borderline sentient, theyrefuse to work with those who follow the dark side of the Force, so the Sith must resort to a process calledbleeding.
The Sith utilize their hate and fear to empower themselves, which is the opposite of the Kyber Crystals' innate design.
Bleeding occurs when a Sith attempts tobend the crystal to its will. Theyoverwhelm and consume the crystals with their negative emotions, whichcauses the crystal to “bleed,” resulting in their lightsabers having a red or crimson hue.
A Sith can dominate any Kyber Crystal, but many dark side users insist that the proper way to construct a lightsaber is bycapturing a crystal from a Jedi.
Healing Kyber Crystals
While it’s possible for the Sith to corrupt Kyber Crystals, it’s also possible for the Jedi to restore them. TheChronicles of Brus-buis one of the ancient Jedi texts that explains how Kyber Crystals can be healed after the Sith completes the bleeding process.
Similar to how the Sith would pour themselves into the crystal, the Jedi would also try toattune themselves to the crystal through the Forceand repair the broken crystal. A healed Kyber Crystal lightsaber will bewhitelikeAhsoka’s dual lightsabers. When she defeated the Inquisitor called the Sixth Brother, she took his Kyber Crystals and purified them.
