One of the Star Wars characters that has been on the radar of the fandom lately is Ahsoka Tano. Although a relatively new addition to the franchise, Ahsoka Tano has quickly become a fan-favourite character thanks to her pretty interesting character evolution, fighting style and unique use of not one but two white-bladed lightsabers. In addition to setting her apart from other Jedi, Ahsoka’s wielding of two white-bladed, curved hilt lightsabers is something that contradicts the general holding of a single lightsaber by both Jedi and Sith (on both sides of the Force).
So how exactly did Ahsoka Tano come by her rare white lightsabers? And what significance do her white lightsabers have with the Force? Read on to find out.
Why is Ahsoka Tano’s Lightsaber White?
Ahsoka made her debut in the 2008 Star Wars film Clone Wars before being introduced in the series Star Wars: The Clone Wars, where she started out as a Jedi Padawan under Anakin Skywalker. During her time as Anakin’s Padawan and mentee, Ahsoka wielded two green lightsabers with matching hilts. She built the first one prior to becoming a Padawan, and the second smaller shoto saber was constructed after she decided to take up Jar’Kai as her fighting style.
A lot happens between Ahsoka and her Master, Anakin, during the events of Star Wars: The Clone Wars series as Anakin grows increasingly dark, and by the fifth season, Ahsoka ends up being framed for treason (a deadly explosion attack on the Jedi Temple) by Barriss Offee. This led to her expulsion from the Jedi Order and near execution. Even though her former Master, Anakin was able to eventually clear her name, Ahsoka loses faith in the Order and decides to leave without her weapons. This marked the beginning of her journey to no longer align herself with any side (either dark or light) of the Force.
Late in the war (after joining up with Bo-Katan Kryze and her Nite Owls), Ahsoka does get her lightsabers back from Anakin upon rejoining the Republic military temporarily during the Seige of Mandalore. Between her final appearance in the seventh season of The Clone Wars and her reappearance in Star Wars Rebels, Ahsoka does a lot of soul-searching and eventually makes peace with being a free agent who no longer sides with the Force. She also sets out to build a new set of lightsabers that would accurately reflect her path and newfound neutrality to the Force.
She created her white lightsabers by making use of the Kyber crystals she obtained from the saber of a deceased inquisitor that had been calling out to her. Turns out the inquisitor’s kyber crystals originally belonged to her, but they had been corrupted by the Sith bleeding ritual, which turned them red. Ahsoka proceeded to heal and purify the crystals back to the light side, ultimately turning them into pure white. Together with parts that she had collected, Ahsoka eventually assembled the two new white lightsabers fans know as Ahsoka Tano lightsabers today.
In terms of design, Ahsoka uses a unique crystal mount for the inquisitor’s lightsaber but decides to forego making the rather rough hilts more practical due to time constraints. It is with these two lightsabers that Ahsoka battled Rada and rescued her friend Kaeden Larte. She also used it to battle several inquisitors and in her duel with Darth Vader and Darth Maul.
Ahsoka retains possession of her two white lightsabers long after the Sith world events and eventually carries them with her through the Galactic Civil War.
The Meaning Behind Ahsoka’s White Lightsabers
Ahsoka’s white lightsabers represent more than just aesthetics. There is actually a lot of symbolism behind them.
First, they represent her journey and growth. As a young Padawan, Ahsoka started out with green lightsabers, which symbolised compassion and inner harmony, and when she left the Jedi Order, her character was profoundly impacted by the experience, which is why she wielded blue lightsabers in Star Wars: The Clone Wars season 7. This blue blade signified inner resolve and strength of character. The white blades she finally wields in Star Wars Rebels symbolise her growth, purity and neutrality to the Force.
Secondly, Ahsoka’s white lightsaber blades represent her dissociation from the Jedi or Sith and her independence from the Jedi Order. It represents her new found confidence, strength, and ability to trust her instincts and carve her own unique path.
The white blades could also represent her ability to overcome the many challenges and adversities she had to face, from being falsely accused of a crime and exiled to being hunted by inquisitors. Her determination and resilience are definitely reflected in the white colour of her lightsabers.
Conclusion
Ahsoka Tano is one Star Wars character that has shown a lot of growth and resilience in her journey. She has been able to overcome a lot of challenges, and her white lightsabers are a reflection of that growth and her newfound neutrality to the Force. As a Star Wars fan who admires Ahsoka’s character and growth, owning a replica Ahsoka Tano lightsaber is a surefire way to embody her values, connect with her journey and build your own path.
