Red Lightsaber Lore

We must first comprehend the origin of the hue in order to understand the significance of lightsaber colors and red lightsaber legend. Lightsaber crystals are what give them their color. The lightsaber's core is a crystal, and the color of the crystal dictates the saber's hue. They are attuned to the Force and incredibly rare. Each crystal emits a different color according to the wielder's Force alignment, combat style, and personality. With the exception of red crystals, which come from two distinct processes in Canon and non-canon Legends, this is true for the majority of lightsaber crystals.

How Are Red Lightsabers Made?

Red crystals are synthetic and are known as synth crystals in older, non-canon Legends history. The synthetic lightsaber crystal is created to mimic its naturally occurring counterparts, which grow spontaneously throughout the galaxy. Although most synthetic crystals were red, depending on the properties above, they were known to emanate other hues.

The oldest records of the Sith and other Dark Side-aligned factions using red crystals in their lightsabers date from the Old Sith Empire; however, it is unknown when this practice started. Karness Muur, a former Jedi Order Knight who turned into a Dark Jedi due to his desire for power, was the first Sith known to wield a red-bladed saber. Red lightsabers were thereafter used by a number of prominent Dark Jedi, including Haazen, Darth Revan, and Darth Malak, which led to the color's widespread use among their Sith supporters. Red-hued crystal users were dubbed Dark siders as red lightsaber crystals proliferated throughout the Sith Empire.

Why Do Sith Have Red Lightsabers?

According to Legends, the Sith's need to hide from the Jedi was a significant factor in the widespread use of the red synthetic lightsaber crystal. Numerous naturally occurring crystals may be found on planets like Illum, which the Jedi Order had long mined. The Sith eventually adopted synthetic crystals as part of their culture and heritage, and the majority of their members believe that their red crystals are better than the Jedi's. The Sith believed that their ability to replicate crystals demonstrated their ability to control the Force.

However, the Jedi disregarded the development of artificial lightsaber crystal, believing it to be the quickest and most straightforward route. Jedi have, however, occasionally used artificial crystals in situations where natural crystals are unavailable. The most well-known example of this involving a famous Star Wars figure was Luke Skywalker, who made his first lightsaber out of a synthetic green lightsaber crystal. Darth Sidious ordered the demolition of numerous locations where crystals were frequently found during the Galactic Empire's rule. As a result, the New Jedi Order was obliged to make its lightsabers almost entirely out of artificial crystals.

How Are Red Kyber Crystals Made?

Sith, who have poured all of their rage, wrath, and darkness into a kyber crystal, is said to have "bled" red kyber crystals in the more recent Canon. Crystals become attuned to Force users because of their strong bond with the Force. For many Jedi, this implies a vast range of colors, but it also means the Sith can taint crystals with their sinister energies. A cyber crystal that has turned a deep crimson has undergone a process known as "bleeding," which may only be reversed by a Jedi with sufficient strength to purify the crystal.

How Are Red Lightsaber Crystals Made?

The Sith found that they could make synth crystals that were electrified, magnetized, and altered using furnaces that allowed the crystal to shine in harmonic vibration, despite the fact that they were initially thought to be unfit for use in lightsabers. The forging technique and the creator's goal to enhance the color to the crimson hue we are familiar with produced the red tint. Known as "blood shine blades," the crystal's capacity to transform to reflect the creator's intentions is said to strengthen the relationship between the lightsaber and its wielder; however, this has not been verified.

The geological conditions of genuine red lightsaber crystals were replicated in the furnace used to make the synthetic crystals. After the formula was perfected, it was easy to obtain the essential elements needed to construct the crystals. After being put into the machine, the ingredients would be baked for 24 to 96 hours. The creator would stay with the artificial crystal during this period and use the Force to focus on it, directing its creation and enhancing the final crystal's strength. Additionally, this is where initiates would enhance the red lightsaber crystal's capabilities to meet the demands of the wielder best. Synthetic lightsaber crystals come in a variety of colors and variances that impact each blade's focus, strengths, and weaknesses.

• Standard: Originally produced by reproducing the natural geologic processes, these are the baseline synthetic crystals. They were thought to be easier to regulate than the other synthetic varieties and more potent than natural crystals. By overwhelming the energy matrix and burning out the other saber, these crystals have occasionally been reported to "break the blade" of conventional lightsabers. All who fought an opponent with a red saber were concerned about the terrifying likelihood of this event, even if it was highly uncommon.
• Compressed: This variation resulted from an inability to reproduce the usual geologic process that produced crystals faithfully. Because of this, the lightsaber blade was far thinner than typical blades. The user was able to exhibit more control and accuracy with the reduced version. Energy oscillations that would flow along the blade at constant intervals were a characteristic that might be used to identify a compressed crystal.
• Unstable: Unstable crystals are unsuccessful attempts to reproduce the typical geologic process, much like compressed crystals. Occasionally, sparks or streaks of electrical energy would explode from these blades as they crackled with energy pulses at unpredictable intervals. These gems were believed to deal more significant harm to foes because of the excess energy that the sword emitted. But they also tended to short out, which would deactivate the blade and expose the wielder to harm. Because of this, only the more dangerous Sith used unstable crystals.

In the more recent Canon, the idea of Sith bleeding red Kyber crystals has replaced the legend around synthetic red lightsaber crystals. As a last resort to eradicate the Jedi and their lightsabers from the galaxy, villains like Darth Vader have bled the Kyber crystals of slain Jedi.

Who Wields a Red Lightsaber?

People who wield red lightsabers usually have short fuses and are prone to becoming angry easily. These people also have attributes like determination, spontaneity, conceit, arrogance, selfishness, audacity, and frequently a lack of compassion. These warriors, who are typically Sith or Dark Jedi, are erratic and use their Force alignment and lightsaber form to express their inner rage. These fighters, who frequently had tunnel vision, would do whatever it took to fulfill their most significant potential and fulfill their most ardent aspirations. Power-hungry and vicious adversaries, red lightsaber wielders can sometimes go insane in their desire for supremacy.

Among many other Dark Side practitioners, the red lightsaber is most frequently linked to Sith Lords like Darth Sidious, Count Dooku, Darth Vader, Darth Maul, and Kylo Ren.