Master Yoda was one of Star Wars’ most legendary characters who was responsible for training many of the brilliant Jedis (Luke Skywalker, Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi) that fans know and love. There are a lot of things that stood out about the renowned Jedi Grandmaster, from his green humanoid appearance and small diminutive stature to his wisdom and surprising agility.
But, of all the things that stood out about Yoda, his green shoto lightsaber (which he rarely wielded) was what really captured the attention of fans.
Below, we shall be exploring everything there is to know about the Jedi Grandmaster’s iconic weapon.
Yoda Lightsaber: History
Like many Jedi before him, Yoda crafted his lightsaber when he was a young Jedi. With guidance from the droid Professor Huyang, Yoda journeyed to the icy depths of Ilum to obtain kyber crystals which he realised were living, breathing entities strongly connected to the Force. After attuning to his kyber crystal, he collaborated with Huyang to craft the hilt that would hold the crystal. Once completed, his lightsaber emitted a plasma blade that was a brilliant green colour.
The green-bladed lightsaber served him well as he used it in duels with various opponents, including his former apprentice Count Dooku, who he confronted on Geonosis. He also used his lightsaber on multiple occasions during the years of the Clone Wars. The Yoda lightsaber would eventually be lost in the Revenge of the Sith during the Jedi Grandmaster’s duel with Darth Sidious in the Senate Building.
After the rise of the New Galactic Empire, during a gathering of the citizens of Coruscant, Mas Amedda can be seen burning the Yoda lightsaber together with a collection of other lightsabers.
Following the fall of the Jedi Order and the rise of the New Galactic Empire, Yoda embarked on a self-imposed exile on Dagobah where he chose never to wield another lightsaber. He however did keep a second lightsaber hidden in his hut. This second lightsaber would eventually come into the possession of Luke Skywalker after his death.
Yoda Lightsaber: Specifications and Characteristics
Yoda’s lightsaber was a shoto-type model that featured a single green blade and a straight cylindrical hilt of about 15 cm. The length of both the blade and the hilt was significantly shorter to accommodate Yoda’s diminutive stature. The hilt was made from alloy metal, and it featured a simple design of a studded chrome grip with black trims and an emitter shroud.
Yoda Lightsaber: Blade Colour Meaning
Like all other blade colours in the Star Wars universe, there is meaning and symbolism behind Yoda’s green lightsaber blade. A green lightsaber colour is often associated with strong Force users and Jedi who have achieved the highest level of mastery when it comes to using the Force. The colour also symbolises life force, growth, nature and wisdom, which kind of tracks why wise Masters like Qui-Gon Jinn and Yoda had green lightsabers.
Yoda Lightsaber Fighting Style
Even with his advanced age and small stature, Yoda was highly skilled in the art of lightsaber duelling. He favoured the fighting form known as Ataru (Form IV), which required him to make a lot of rapid acrobatic movements (leaps and summersaults) enhanced by the Force.
Yoda was also an expert in other lightsaber fighting forms – Shii-Cho (Form I) and Niman (Form VI).
Conclusion
Master Yoda was a legendary Star Wars character who famously wielded a green-bladed lightsaber with a one-of-a-kind shoto design. It was with this lightsaber that the Jedi Grandmaster showcased his skills as a formidable duelist. Even though the lightsaber was lost and later destroyed, its iconic appearance and the legendary master who wielded it will forever be remembered by Star Wars fans.
