If there’s anything captivating about Star Wars besides the political and military drama, it’s the lightsabers. Introduced as mythical plasma blades without much background, the lightsabers are iconic kyber crystal weapons. Even then, the elegant sword-like blades made history as the most sold science fiction weapon.
The only explanation for how lightsabers function is their connection to kyber crystals. These crystals are an essential part of the Jedi combat training as they power the iconic lightsabers.
To brilliantly wield advanced real-world lightsaber skills, you must know the history of the phenomena you will be waving around. Even the most well-versed lore weapons experts often overlook certain intriguing facts about kyber crystals.
The Gathering
Kyber crystals gain their power from a special connection to the force. The mystic energy is present in the heart of the crystal. Not everyone can access kyber crystals. Only force users that the crystals allow to meditate with can fully utilize the powers it holds within itself.
In the Star Wars Canon, the young Jedi of the Old Republic individually collected kyber crystals through a ritual known as ‘The Gathering’. The Jedi then split up and carried out their individual quests with these crystals. A crystal calls to the Jedi, and after the Jedi meditates with it, the crystal will take on a color that matches the personality of the meditator.
Collective consciousness interlinks all crystals. This explains why crystals come in a variety of colors and shapes.
Kyberite and Caves of Ilum
Kyber and kyberite are Yin and Yang to each other. While kyber crystals famously grow in the icy caves of Ilum, kyberite sources are widespread, spanning Tython. Kyberite is the base mineral from which the pure kyber crystallites grow.
In terms of functionality and aesthetics, the crystals are like two sides of a coin. The Kyber crystal lightsaber is smooth and elegant, while Kyberite is denser and rougher.
Istan Zaly, a separatist specialist, claims that kyberite negates the force standing of kyber crystals. It does not outright diminish the force connection; it just channels away the force power. On the contrary, Kyber Crystals are in tune with the force and house the force power at their center.
Powering Lightsabers
Kyber crystals are an extension of force. As mentioned previously, they are a medium for channeling energy. For this reason, the Jedi incorporated kyber crystals into their real lightsabers and weapons to fully harness the power of the force.
If you look past the misconception, you’ll see that diatium cells power the crystals. So they are merely a bridge. This is also why it does not work for non-force users. They cannot compel the crystal’s mystic energy to strengthen their weapons, unlike the Jedi.
Nontraditional Ways
Kyber crystals can be organic and inorganic. The Sith synthesize inorganic crystals through dark and unnatural methods. One common occurrence in Star Wars is the “bleeding” of the Kyber Crystal.
Emperor Palpatine first explained the phenomena to Darth Vader in Volume 5, written by Charles Soule. A Sith pours his hatred and anger into the crystal, turning the kyber crimson red. The Sith strips the crystal of its natural purity while performing the bleeding.
Crimson Red is characteristic of a crystal that has been manipulated to do the sith evil deeds. Another example is when Count Dooku bled the kyber crystal belonging to another Jedi master, Master Yaddle.
Star Wars: Ahsoka demonstrated the reversal of the bleeding process. Ahsoka purified the evil-imbued crimson blades of an Imperial Inquisitor to form her iconic white blades.
Death Star and Superweapons
In addition to their ability to corrupt and deplete pure crystals, the Sith are renowned for their innovative and malevolent methods. Star Wars’ iconic villains, the Sith, were clever in outwitting the Jedi and their foundation. The Sith have proven to be more adept at crafting explosive machinery than the Jedi.
Excessive power saturation will cause a kyber crystal to become unstable and eventually explode. A prime example of a space station superweapon that harnesses the power of kyber crystal is the Death Star. A concentrated plasma beam from such an enormous space station could destroy any planets. This is how Emperor Palpatine successfully created the Death Star and other superweapons, such as Starkiller Base.
Mysticism of Kyber Crystals
Kyber crystals are not real entities; they belong to the realm of fiction. These force-attuned gems hold a unique significance, representing a duality that exists within the mystical force. Ideally, the organic essence of a pure crystal is to promote peace. However, these stones possess a formidable power that can lead to widespread destruction.
It is understandable why the Sith targeted all kyber crystal mines in their quest for dominance over the galaxy. The pursuit of these powerful crystals aligns with their overarching goal of control. Future explorations within the Star Wars universe may reveal surprising insights and facts about kyber crystals, further enriching the lore surrounding these enigmatic gems.
