What Happened to the Lightsabers of Dead Jedi in Star Wars?

The fate of the lightsabers of Jedi who were killed in the Star Wars universe has been a subject of debate and speculation. As seen across various media, lightsabers of deceased Jedi can still work, suggesting that they are not bound to the user's life.

Rey and Anakin's Lightsaber

Rey famously used Anakin’s lightsaber (Vader's) after the latter's death, and it worked perfectly well. This example suggests that Anakin's spirit or the power of the spirits in the Force allowed the lightsaber to function even after his death, much like how Rey could hear the voices of her ancestors.

The Possession of Lightsabers After Death

During the Boba Fett show, it was revealed that Luke possession Yoda's lightsaber. Additionally, it is heavily theorized that Obi-Wan ended up keeping Qui-Gon's saber. Given this information, it seems that Jedi lightsabers typically fall under the possession of their Padawan in the event of their master's death. If they do not have a Padawan, the lightsaber is most likely retrieved by their master. If both the master and Padawan have passed away, the lightsaber might be deconstructed and destroyed by someone else.

Variations in Handling

The disposal of lightsabers after a Jedi's death can vary. Some were buried with them, while others were potentially thrown away, stolen by a master, or even given to their son. Here’s a breakdown of these possibilities:

Buried with them: This process was common during certain eras, such as before Order 66, where Jedi were often buried with their lightsabers. However, after joining the Force, it was the lightsabers left behind at their graves. Thrown away: The lightsabers might have been discarded after being dismantled, as seen in the aftermath of the purge of the Jedi during the Clone Wars. Stolen by their master: A more recent example is General Greivous taking a lightsaber from a fallen Jedi and adding it to his collection. Given to their son 19 years later: This scenario was seen with the Skywalker lightsaber, which was found by Maz Kanata and given to Rey, who was 19 years old at the time the lightsaber was presented to her.

The Role of the Force

The Force often plays a significant role in determining the fate of lightsabers. In the case of Anakin's lightsaber, we see the power of the Force connecting Rey to Anakin. Similarly, the Skywalker lightsaber was found by Maz Kanata and passed to Rey, indicating that the Force had a hand in guiding the destiny of these lightsabers.

Conclusion

The lightsabers of Jedi who were killed in the Star Wars universe often find new owners, whether through inheritance, retrieval, or the intervention of the Force. The specific fate of a lightsaber depends on various factors, including the circumstances of the Jedi's death and the number of surviving Padawans and masters.