Jan 12, 2024

Learn more about Ahsoka's Lightsabers

Ahsoka Tano is one of the most famous and beloved Star Wars characters. Her twin white lightsabers have become iconic, but she didn't start out with white blades. The evolution of her lightsabers mirrors her journey: from Anakin Skywalker's Padawan to a Force user who chooses her own path.

In this blog, you'll learn which lightsabers Ahsoka uses, why her blades change color, and where her white kyber crystals come from. Warning: Spoilers for The Clone Wars, Rebels, and the novel Ahsoka.

Ahsoka's Lightsabers: From Green to Blue and White

Green lightsabers during her Padawan years

We first met Ahsoka as Anakin Skywalker’s Padawan in The Clone Wars. At first, she uses a single lightsaber with a green blade. Later, under Anakin’s guidance, she builds a second, shorter lightsaber: a shoto. This gives rise to her signature combination of a long and a short lightsaber.

So a shoto isn't a different color or a different type of electronics—it's a shorter lightsaber. That second saber gives Ahsoka additional options for parrying attacks and changing direction quickly.

Blue lightsabers during the Siege of Mandalore

After being falsely accused of the attack on the Jedi Temple, Ahsoka loses her faith in the Jedi Order and leaves. When she later returns for the siege of Mandalore, Anakin gives her back her lightsabers. He has modified them; the blades are now blue.

These blue lightsabers appear in the final episodes of The Clone Wars. They are not the same pair as the white lightsabers that Ahsoka uses later on. Nor does the change in color mean that she is being promoted to a new Jedi rank at that point.

White lightsabers in Rebels and her later stories

In Star Wars Rebels, we see Ahsoka wielding two white lightsabers. She helps the rebellion fight the Empire under the codename Fulcrum. The white pair is also a key part of her look in her later live-action appearances.

Her white lightsabers also appear in Star Wars: Ahsoka. Read about the orange-red lightsabers of Baylan Skoll and Shin Hati and how they contrast with Ahsoka’s weapons.

How does Ahsoka get her white kyber crystals?

Ahsoka purifies red kyber crystals from an Inquisitor's lightsaber. The official Star Wars canon refers to E. K. Johnston’s novel Ahsoka for this. Through the purification process, the crystals change from red to white. She uses these crystals to make her new lightsabers.

So the crystals don't come from Death Watch. The white color comes from restoring crystals that had been corrupted by the dark side. Want to learn more about the role of crystals? Then read our explanation of kyber crystals and the technology behind lightsabers.

What do Ahsoka's white lightsabers mean?

The white blades reflect Ahsoka's independent nature. She is a former Jedi Padawan who has left the Order, but continues to help others and resist the dark side. Her story revolves around making her own choices and staying true to her convictions.

In her story, white can be interpreted as a symbol of recovery and independence. This is different from a hard-and-fast rule that every white lightsaber automatically represents impartiality, spiritual purity, or a specific Jedi rank. The specific story behind her white lightsaber is the purification of the crystals.

Ahsoka's fighting style: two lightsabers and a reverse grip

Ahsoka is fast and agile. Her combination of a longer lightsaber and a shorter shoto makes her fighting style distinctive. She frequently uses a reverse grip, with the blade extending from the bottom of her hand. She doesn’t execute every attack in that stance; she switches her grip depending on the situation.

Her fighting style reflects the influence of her mentor, Anakin, as well as her own development. Using two lightsabers gives her more options, though it requires good coordination. Want to practice with a set yourself? Start slowly, make sure you have plenty of space, and check that the blades are securely attached.

Ahsoka's lightsabers at KenJo Sabers

Would you like to see the style of her different life stages reflected in your own collection? The Daisho set matches her Padawan look, while the Katano set matches her later Fulcrum look. Both sets include a long and a short hilt.

The white color in the Star Wars story comes from purified kyber crystals. In a replica, the light is produced by electronics. So, in addition to the design, be sure to check the available versions and features on the product page. Want to learn more about the meaning of other colors? Check out our lightsaber color guide.

Frequently Asked Questions About Ahsoka's Lightsabers

Why does Ahsoka have two lightsabers?

During her training, she adds a shorter shoto to her longer lightsaber. The combination becomes a defining feature of her fighting style and gives her additional options for both attack and defense.

Why are her lightsabers green at first and then blue?

As a Padawan, Ahsoka uses green blades. Before the Siege of Mandalore, Anakin returns her customized lightsabers with blue blades. Later, she builds another pair with white crystals.

Did Death Watch give Ahsoka her white crystals?

No. According to the official explanation, Ahsoka purifies red crystals from an Inquisitor's lightsaber. This origin story is described in the novel Ahsoka.

Is Ahsoka a Sith because her crystals were red at first?

No. The red crystals come from an Inquisitor's lightsaber. Ahsoka purifies them; that's exactly why they turn white. Their original color doesn't make her a Sith.

What do you need to know before Ahsoka Season 2?

Her white lightsabers are part of the phase in which she is following her own path outside the Jedi Order. They are not her old Padawan lightsabers that have simply turned white. With that background in mind, her appearance and development in the series make more sense.