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The Star Wars Uncle
date posted: Aug 29, 2005 6:39 PM  |  updated: Aug 31, 2005 2:54 PM
The Symbolism In Mace Windu's Lightsaber
I'm probably going out on a limb here, considering the numerous enteries that I have seen already posted about Mace Windu and his lightsaber, ever since the Blogs were introduced to Hyperspace. But when a thought or a revelation crosses your mind you just can't help but think that it just might be worthy of an entry even if that means running the risk of stating something that has been discussed repeatedly. So, with that in mind, let me be yet another Blog entry that discusses Mace Windu and his purple lightsaber.

The Famous Purple Lightsaber of Mace Windu
Up until Attack of the Clones appeared in the theaters, Star Wars fans were only aware, as far as the movies go, of at least two different lightsaber colors: blue and green. However, things changed when they saw, for the first time, Mace Windu ignite his purple lightsaber. Fans were somewhat fascinated with this. A purple lightsaber?

Now, I have heard various stories regarding the history of Mace's lightsaber and the significance of it, I even think the word, "electrum" something or other was in there somewhere, yadda yadda yadda. But what I find particularly interesting is the symbolism of the purple lightsaber and the person who wields it.

Vaapad
Mace Windu created Vaapad. In The Clone Wars novel, Shatterpoint, he basically describes Vaapad as a very, and I do mean very aggressive style of fighting. It's so powerful but aggressive that it just barely walks the fine lines of the dark side.

Crystals
Now, as I understand it Mace windu has a rare set of crystals that cause the purple blade when he ignites his saber. There may have been more to it than that but the bottom line is that at least it is the technical aspects of his lightsaber which cause his lightsaber to ignite a purple blade. It's not done on purpose, it's not a matter of ranking.

However, I have noticed something rather symbolic, whether done intentionally or just by coincidence, that matches Mace's unique fighting style and his purple lightsaber.

When Mace fights using Vaapad, he's walking the fine line between light side and dark. In the movies, the light side has often been represented with a blue lightsaber and the dark side represented with a red lightsaber (i.e. Luke fighting Vader in The Empire Strikes Back). Now, what color is Mace's lightsaber? Purple. And what two colors make the color purple? It just so happens to be red and blue. So, it sounds like Master Windu has the perfect lightsaber cut out for him.................no pun intended.


As Always.

-The Star Wars Uncle

  Rive Caedo
Rive's Uncharted Settlements
date Posted: Aug 29, 2005 6:43 PM
In interviews it has been stated that Jackson requested the purple blade, so that was the simple initial reason, to make Mace stand out. But yes, I definatly agree that the purple saber influenced the direction Mace's character took, esspecially in Shatterpoint as you mentioned.
  Z-score
The Star Wars Uncle
date Posted: Aug 29, 2005 6:57 PM
That's right, now that you mention it, I remember someone saying something like that.
  clonetrooperjj2
Clone General
date Posted: Aug 29, 2005 7:00 PM
nice point.i like it.
  Singin Hobo
I find your lack of pants disturbing
date Posted: Aug 30, 2005 4:48 AM
Just as a point of growing knowledge (Because the More You know...) the in-universe story about Mace's saber is that he got his purple crystal as a younger man from the people of Hurikane.

That's from one of the Star Wars Tales comics.

Not saying that it changes anything about your entry :) Just wanted to enlighten people of this universe.
  Z-score
The Star Wars Uncle
date Posted: Aug 30, 2005 4:55 AM
Thank you. The more I can learn about the Star Wars universe, the better.
  Sol Kassar
Ramblings from the Detention Center (Startled)
date Posted: Aug 30, 2005 6:45 AM
Too bad I haven't read much EU stuff or know more about the in-universe stuff. I'm glad you guys are here to point this out - thanks Z-score - and thanks Singin Hobo, I simply thought that he got the purple crystal from Ilum - they're all over the temple there along with the blue and green crystals.
  Diviner525
In the Flesh
date Posted: Aug 31, 2005 7:32 PM
I haven't read much in the EU, but in the films, did you notice that Mace Windu does have a more visibly "physical" fighting style as compared to other Jedi - such as when he battlecharges at Jango Fett, very aggressively, in AOTC. And selecting Samuel Jackson for the role of Mace Windu was perfect.

D525.
  wineflair
Master_Niall
date Posted: Sep 03, 2005 7:14 AM
V. good entry, I like the thoughts of that
  Sir_Terenas
Sir Terenas
date Posted: Sep 16, 2005 9:25 AM
Nice blog, espcially becouse it's about Mace windu and he and Darth maul are my favorit charachters of the Star Wars Saga!

I Agree with D525, he has a very aggresive fighting style and that just makes Mace windu so cool, and offcourse Samuel Jackson was the best person to do the acting!
  Z-score
The Star Wars Uncle
date Posted: Sep 16, 2005 10:02 AM
Yes, Samuel L. Jackson was perfect for Mace Windu. I also agree with you about Darth Maul. I would like to know more about him. Have you ever read the book,
"Darth Maul: Shadow Hunter"? If you haven't, I highly reccomend it. It's an excellent read. You learn more about Darth Maul and even get inside his head a little bit. You'll get a little more background information on him. Plus, it's a very exciting story. I couldn't put it down. Just thought you might be interested.
  darthlordmartin
Sith lords
date Posted: Sep 17, 2005 1:21 AM
he is fit to carry a purple lightsaber
  janlomona
Smugglers Rants
date Posted: Sep 24, 2005 10:16 AM
That's a very good point, and if it was just pure blind luck that he chose a purple sabre (or maybe Sam, being a genuine Star Wars fan, thought this one through himself. It's not impossible, although we would likely know) or someone was smart enough to propose it, it fits the story perfectly.
Good blog, I like the thinking behind that.
  SithMonkey11
date Posted: Oct 05, 2005 3:42 PM
I think that Z-score's blue+red= purple, is probably the most likely explanation for the color of Mace's lightsaber. He could have used some kind of machine to bind a red and a blue blukonite crystal together. Henceforth, purple...;)
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