Saber Colors and What They Mean - You Decide!!

[Luna]

Point for the colorful post and your descriptions.

Wraith would be all over this topic with colors we didn't even know existed

[Ricktur]

I like this. I really like this. Just something about it makes me want to get a Silver lightsaber

i got the inspiration from Lancelot standing at the other end of the bridge with his silver armor, resolute in his charge from John Boorman's Excalibur

[Zurth]

i got the inspiration from Lancelot standing at the other end of the bridge with his silver armor, resolute in his charge from John Boorman's Excalibur

I just ordered a Silver Grab Bag because of you. I cannot wait for it.

[Amanita]

Even when doing non-SW cosplay, I'm hesitant to use red because of its dark connotations, which kinda sucks because it's one of my favorite colors. It's hard enough explaining that I haven't just appropriated a lightsaber, let alone that I'm not a Sith:(
Can I offer some possible blade color interpretations from my universe?

Generally, a psionic blade's color depends on the personality, or just plain desire of the wielder. Those pledged to certain deities also favor certain colors sometimes.
Red- Life force, passion, lifeblood. Also rage or bloodlust.
Orange- fire, energy, courage, audacity. This color is sometimes seen used by those devoted to Sekhmet, or those who have been touched with fire at some point in life
Yellow- steadfastness, courage, the sun, mindful action
Green- Life force, nature, earth, groundedness.
Blue- Air/wind, intellect, water, cunning and wisdom
Cyan/SRD- a blend of blue and green's properties, also the drawing of power from one's connection to both earth and sky
Arctic blue- electricity, air, coolheadedness, calmness in the midst of chaos, also a blend of the properties of blue and white
White/Adagen- Purity, being at peace with oneself, the perfect calm at the eye of the storm
Purple (violet, bane, deep violet)- passion, confidence (can also indicate arrogance), a blend of red and blue's properties.

[Steampunk Sith]

I love Fire Orange. As it's name suggests, it is associated with fire. A very powerful source of energy and a force to be reckoned with. It can be controlled as well as let loose like a stampede of rancors. It can be used for good and evil. I am an Aries and fire is my passion.
I cannot wait for my Dark War Glaive w/ FO. It will definitely fit my personality.

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Darkside please

[Ricktur]

I just ordered a Silver Grab Bag because of you. I cannot wait for it.

haha! im glad this helped you make a decision.  Silver is just one of those colors, you know? screams justice.  Tyrael from Diablo series has this silver glow and we all know he does what he must, Excalibur really cemented it for me and then there is the imperial knights, they all have silver blades.

its silver, it screams, "im here to do a job, my business is my own, my business is righteous, dont get in my way"

[Ricktur]

Even when doing non-SW cosplay, I'm hesitant to use red because of its dark connotations, which kinda sucks because it's one of my favorite colors. It's hard enough explaining that I haven't just appropriated a lightsaber, let alone that I'm not a Sith:(
Can I offer some possible blade color interpretations from my universe?

Generally, a psionic blade's color depends on the personality, or just plain desire of the wielder. Those pledged to certain deities also favor certain colors sometimes.
Red- Life force, passion, lifeblood. Also rage or bloodlust.
Orange- fire, energy, courage, audacity. This color is sometimes seen used by those devoted to Sekhmet, or those who have been touched with fire at some point in life
Yellow- steadfastness, courage, the sun, mindful action
Green- Life force, nature, earth, groundedness.
Blue- Air/wind, intellect, water, cunning and wisdom
Cyan/SRD- a blend of blue and green's properties, also the drawing of power from one's connection to both earth and sky
Arctic blue- electricity, air, coolheadedness, calmness in the midst of chaos, also a blend of the properties of blue and white
White/Adagen- Purity, being at peace with oneself, the perfect calm at the eye of the storm
Purple (violet, bane, deep violet)- passion, confidence (can also indicate arrogance), a blend of red and blue's properties.

i think these are great interpretations, that was my intent with this thread is that others would post their own ideas.  and yes, red is just one of those colors and that says bad guy.  and dont get me wrong, i believe that the wielder can and should wield any color that they choose, but its just very uncommon for a lightsider to wield that color, idk why, ask George Lucas

[Amanita]

I think my only beef with SW is that associations with certain colors have become so pervasive, that even non-SW stuff is affected- if you've got a red energy blade, you have to do a helluva lot of explaining. Or if you're seen with any kind of energy blade, people just assume you ripped off an SW prop, or that you're an SW character. My skyscraper cosplay got this, and it's tiring having to explain/justify to everyone who gets in my face. It's why I'm moving to non traditional sound fonts, and looking at making my own hilts that have nothing in common with the SW ones.

[Arakan Steele]

Noob here but I'll throw in my 2 cents...

I think my only beef with SW is that associations with certain colors have become so pervasive, that even non-SW stuff is affected- if you've got a red energy blade, you have to do a helluva lot of explaining. Or if you're seen with any kind of energy blade, people just assume you ripped off an SW prop, or that you're an SW character. My skyscraper cosplay got this, and it's tiring having to explain/justify to everyone who gets in my face. It's why I'm moving to non traditional sound fonts, and looking at making my own hilts that have nothing in common with the SW ones.

The problem stems from a simple decision that has been expanded upon by a rabid fan base. There really was no reason behind the different colors that Lucas used other than to distinguish between the good guys and the bad guys, thus the good guys(Obi-Wan & Luke) used blue and the bad guys (Vader) used red. Of course, how anyone could confuse Vader as a good guy in that outfit is beyond me, but I digress... The green was added later simply because Lucas wanted to use a different color that time around.

Fans have demanded the expansion of SW lore and now of course we have the typical rules of lightsaber colors. Thanks to popular video games those rules have also been expanded. Now, Blue, Green, Yellow and Violet are all "official" Jedi colors representing the lightside, while the dark side is still stuck with just the red. Silver has been added in the EU and Legacy series, used by the Imperial Knights to denote their neutrality between light and dark.

I tend to look at the colors this way:
Blue = Nobel, valiant, a true defender of the light. Ready to battle evil and vanquish those who would do harm.
Green = Wisdom, patience, virtue. At peace with the universe and those around him. Not quick to strike but fearless when he does so.
Yellow = Caution, aware of danger, both around him and within him. He is prepared for anything and is seldom caught by surprise. The yellow serves as a warning to his opponents as well.
Purple = Royalty, elite, superior. He is a true master of his skills and he attacks with precision. One mistake will cost you your life.
Red = Anger, agression, fury. Quick to strike and full of emotion. There is strength there, sometimes unbridled but always dangerous.
Silver = Cold, hard, calculating. The color of steel. He is unbending and fiercly loyal. Always ready to serve a greater power, whether that power be a person or the force itself. You may kill him, but you will never defeat him.

Well, I'm not sure if that's what you were looking for but there's my take on the basic colors.

P.S. - I'm rather fond of the yellow myself...

[Luna]

Green was added because blue wouldn't show up against the Tatooine sky.

Sith/Dark Jedi aren't stuck with just red. Exar Kun wielded sapphire blades, and I believe Xanatos used a magenta blade. And some Jedi used red (Gallia, notably).

Silver is not just used by Imperial Knights.

Other than that, I like the interpretations. You get a point.

[Arakan Steele]

Green was added because blue wouldn't show up against the Tatooine sky.

Sith/Dark Jedi aren't stuck with just red. Exar Kun wielded sapphire blades, and I believe Xanatos used a magenta blade. And some Jedi used red (Gallia, notably).

Silver is not just used by Imperial Knights.

Other than that, I like the interpretations. You get a point.

Thanks, yeah I know Corran Horn used a silver lightsaber, which I meant to include in the EU part about the Imperial Knights but forgot while I was typing.

the "off" colors like sapphire and magenta I don't usually get into. To me, if it's "sapphire" then it's blue. I generally stick with the basic colors. I've never been a fan of the orange either, it's just a mix between the red and yellow, and again I generally stick to just basic colors. But anywho...

[Luna]

Thanks, yeah I know Corran Horn used a silver lightsaber, which I meant to include in the EU part about the Imperial Knights but forgot while I was typing.

the "off" colors like sapphire and magenta I don't usually get into. To me, if it's "sapphire" then it's blue. I generally stick with the basic colors. I've never been a fan of the orange either, it's just a mix between the red and yellow, and again I generally stick to just basic colors. But anywho...

So a Sith who used blue blades. And green is just a mix between yellow and blue, but I get your point I like orange sabers, but I think it's better left obscure for the most part.

[Amanita]

I could add to mine- Orange can also have a dark side, due to its fire connotations. To some, a fire-blade might symbolize fire's purifying properties, or be a symbol of what they have overcome or survived. But to others, it might align with fire's destructive force, a desire to cause pain and destruction, or to inflict the pain one has suffered on others.
Likewise electric blue- some twisted individuals might abuse a combination of electric and psionic energy, using it to inflict pain for the sake of causing pain.
Red could be wielded by a good individual too- one who knows how to channel and control passion, turning it to greater good.

Lucas wasn't the first or the only one to conceive of energy blades, his examples are just the most famous.

[Ricktur]

I could add to mine- Orange can also have a dark side, due to its fire connotations. To some, a fire-blade might symbolize fire's purifying properties, or be a symbol of what they have overcome or survived. But to others, it might align with fire's destructive force, a desire to cause pain and destruction, or to inflict the pain one has suffered on others.
Likewise electric blue- some twisted individuals might abuse a combination of electric and psionic energy, using it to inflict pain for the sake of causing pain.
Red could be wielded by a good individual too- one who knows how to channel and control passion, turning it to greater good.

Lucas wasn't the first or the only one to conceive of energy blades, his examples are just the most famous.

i dont disagree necessarily with what you are saying Amantia, however SW is what we are the most familiar with and our love for Lightsabers (TM) (<--- lol)   is what attracted us to purchasing these sabers, many of which are modeled/ resemble actual SW sabers. 

and speaking of outside of SW lore, colors like red have always symbolized emotions such as passion, think about a rose.  Flower colors have different meanings and i believe the rose (red) stands for love/passion.

but anyway, Im glad you are posting your views, its what i intended for the thread, you are definitely offering an "outside of the box" approach, its refreshing

[Amanita]

I think my frustration stems from the fact that at cons, people get on my case a lot, insisting I justify part of my costume, because to them, SW is the ONLY place they've seen an energy blade, and Lightsabers are the only kind that exist. They've never heard of psionic blades, aether swords, plasma blades, or any other form of energy weapon.

Why not avoid the hassle and carry a regular sword? Well, a lot of conventions have a problem with that. A huge problem. Even if it's duller than a butterknife, a lot of cons won't let it past the front doors. Others will allow it, but only for the costume contest, or only if it is never taken out, not even to pose for a pic, or to show somebody. Even carved wood is verboten or heavily restricted at some places. And I refuse to junk up a costume that's had hundreds of hours spent on it by carrying a prop made of cardboard, foamboard, or some other flimsy material painted silver. So I stick with my psi-blades, as a lot of cons don't restrict props like that so heavily.