Why Are Dark Side Lightsabers Red? New Star Wars Canon Answers The Question

As most dedicated Star Wars fans know, all the details that were previously revealed in various novels, comic books, video games and more were redacted and relegated into what we now call Star Wars Legends. Since then, Disney and Lucasfilm have created a story group responsible for ensuring that almost everything that references and takes place in the Star Wars universe is canon. Now a new novel continues to change what we thought we knew about the Star Wars universe.

In the new Star Wars novel Ahsoka by E.K. Johnston, the story following Anakin Skywalker's former apprentice reveals why Force users who turn to the dark side always have red lightsabers instead of the predominantly blue and green blades wielded by Jedi. It's not just because red is a cool color for villains to have, and it's not for the reason that was previously revealed in the expanded universe.

So why are dark side lightsabers red? Find out after the jump.

For those who don't know, in the expanded universe, it was previously explained that dark side lightsabers had their red color because they were created with and powered by synthetically created crystals. They were forced to make lightsabers like this because the Jedi controlled all of the natural crystals.

However, in the new novel Ahsoka, a new explanation for red lightsabers changes that fact. The Kyber crystals that power lightsabers are Force sensitive, and they actually choose their users by presenting themselves to the desired owner. However, those who use the dark side of the Force don't have the same connection to those crystals. The only way members of the dark side can get these crystals is by stealing them or taking them from those they have defeated.

But why wouldn't the crystal maintain its original hue in the hands of someone else? Since dark side Force users don't have a connection to the crystals the same way Jedi do, they have to bend the crystal to their will, which results in the crystal bleeding, thus turning it red. A crystal manipulated by the dark side can healed, but instead of returning to its original color, it becomes white instead.

So there you have it. That's the new canonical explanation for why dark side lightsabers are red. Does that work for you? Is it better than the previous explanation? Sound off with your thoughts below!