The Mysterious Green Lightsaber: Luke Skywalker’s Artifact and Its Afterlife

The green lightsaber that Luke Skywalker used in Return of the Jedi and that he made himself was constructed with a few key components. The hilt was made of a silver material, and the emitter and lens assembly were made of copper. The crystal used to power the lightsaber was a rare and powerful one known as a colored gemstone with unique properties.

Loss and Uncertainty

The fate of the green lightsaber remained unclear until it resurfaced years later. In the canon Star Wars novel Aftermath, it was revealed that after Luke lost the lightsaber during his duel with Darth Vader on Bespin, its whereabouts were unknown. However, in the Disney canon, it was later revealed that the lightsaber was somehow recovered and left in the care of Maz Kanata.

Rey found the lightsaber but did not take it. It was then given to Finn, and Rey reclaimed it. Eventually, she returned it to Luke. However, Luke threw it away, and in the end, Rey recovered it and chose to keep it.

Speculation and Journey

I’m really hoping R2D2 has it. It would be totally in character for him to have seen it in the rubble of the destroyed Jedi Temple and scooped it up 'just in case'. Wouldn't it be epic to see Rey reach out her hand in Episode IX and have it shoot out of R2's head just like it did in Return of the Jedi to save the day?

Personal Reflection and Disillusionment

Personally, I feel that Luke gave up his lightsaber and discarded it. After his failure to help Ben Solo, Luke probably felt too disgusted with himself and followed by his disillusionment with the Jedi as a whole, he gave up being a Jedi. In fact, he even mocks the idea that going to battle with a 'laser sword' in hand is a solution to everyone's problems, as he long realized that it just makes things worse for everyone.

Additionally, I suspect that the lightsaber may have been in Kylo Ren's possession since he destroyed Luke's training temple. Luke said that Kylo Ren left him for dead during the incident, and it would be natural for Kylo Ren to pick up his former master's lightsaber and take it with him. More importantly, Luke gave his projection a different blade, suggesting that using his famous green lightsaber would tip Kylo Ren off that something was up.

Conclusion

The green lightsaber that Luke Skywalker left behind in Return of the Jedi holds a special place in the Star Wars saga, shrouded in mystery and imbued with a rich backstory. Its journey, from Luke's creation to its uncertain fate, offers a glimpse into the characters' personal journeys and the complex legacy of the Jedi Order.

Bespin, Luke Skywalker, and Jedi Legacy: These are just a few of the many themes that the green lightsaber touches upon, inviting fans and readers to explore the deeper meaning and the consequences of actions taken in the Galactic Civil War.