Exploring Qui-Gon Jinn's Lightsaber: Design, Features and Symbolism
Qui-Gon Jinn was always perceived as a maverick Jedi by other members of the Jedi Council. But apart from being a rebel in the face of the rigid Council, Qui-Gon Jinn was also a wise and unconventional Jedi Master. He had a strong connection with the Force and a deep interest in how Force exists in all shapes and forms in the galaxy.
His strong and larger-than-life presence in the Star Wars saga often overshadowed his simplistic green lightsaber. Qui-Gon Jinn's lightsaber was simple and minimalistic unlike other Jedi who wielded their own engraved and often highly customized lightsabers. This makes Qui-Gon Jinn's simple weapon stand out in the galaxy of flashy lightsabers.
In this blog, we will discuss all about Qui-Gon Jinn's lightsaber. Whether it is the design or its features, symbolism of the green blade or the lightsaber form Qui-Gon mastered, today we will bring light to the underrated weapon of the galaxy. Also, we will also talk about the fate of Qui-Gon Jinn's lightsaber after he became one with the Force. So without further ado, let's get into it!
Qui-Gon Jinn’s Lightsaber Design
The Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn carried one lightsaber for the most part of his life. The color of his lightsaber was green. The hilt of Qui-Gon Jinn's lightsaber had a ridged grip space which contained mini power cells; this gave greater control over the current charge levels. The red activation switch was also fitted to activate the weapon. In terms of measurement, the lightsaber's hilt was 28.5 cm long and 3.8 cm wide made of alloy metal. Qui-Gon’s green lightsaber was rather simple in its design as compared to the more complicated lightsaber carried by his master, Dooku.
Qui-Gon Jinn’s Lightsaber Form
Qui-Gon Jinn is a master of the lightsaber form IV, Ataru. This aggressive form is best suited in open spaces and when attacking. It also requires a strong connection with the Force to be able to execute this form successfully on your opponents.
Form IV or Ataru was introduced some centuries after the Form III. The users of this form focused on ending the fight as soon as possible rather than defeating the opponent. In a way, Ataru allowed using the Force to enhance the combat of the Jedi. That's because Ataru requires acrobatic movements that wouldn't be possible without the help of the Force. For example, acrobatics such as somersaults and jumping strikes.
Ataru is fast and aggressive and relies so much on the use of speed and momentum, thus making Ataru one of the most dynamic fighting styles; however, speed and fluidity cannot be attained without the application of the Force. The practitioner must have the power of the Force to enable agility and quick reflexes to allow him or her to move fast enough so that his attacks look like a blur. In this way, they can drown an opponent in continuous strikes until an enemy can hardly keep track of it.
The Force also keeps a practitioner from falling into exhaustion. The aggressive Ataru requires physical endurance and the lack of it can strain the user at such a moving pace. The usage of the Force gives endurance to sustain the pressure, and in that way, the practitioner would not lose energy while fighting. Qui-Gon Jinn, who was famous for his form of Ataru, would have made the use of Force in carrying out such high-paced attacks and sustaining agility in battles.
How Qui-Gon Used the Force and His Lightsaber
Qui-Gon Jinn is known for being Force-sensitive and for his strong connection with the Force. He even regarded attaining balance in the Force as his purpose and truth. This sometimes clashed with the rigid Jedi ideals of the Jedi Council, earning him the title of a maverick in the Jedi Order.
He used telekinesis and mind tricks on several occasions. For example, he used them to assist in the achievement of his objectives during the Trade Federation's occupation of Naboo and when trying to rescue Skywalker from slavery. Qui-Gon Jinn was also adept at the power of Force jump, as he could use it to jump high into the air.
Qui-Gon Jinn was troubled by the idea that he could be regarded as a warrior because he believed that such a title was not what a Jedi was intended to be. He was also proficient with a lightsaber. He was able to use his blade easily to hold his own over battle droids on Naboo and even in his very first duel with Darth Maul.
In his second duel with Darth Maul, the Sith Lord out-fought the Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn and mortally wounded him after a long time of fighting. Although Qui-Gon Jinn fell at the hands of Darth Maul, his influence remained present in his former apprentice Obi Wan Kenobi as well as his apprentice, Anakin Skywalker. When Kenobi and Skywalker found Dooku on his ship in the Clone Wars, Dooku indicated that he had to be careful of their knowledge and skill since they had been taught by Jinn, who had once been his Padawan.
For a time, consciousness after death was a skill that other Jedi did not know how to manifest. Qui-Gon Jinn kept his training with the Force Priestesses a secret, and the Jedi Order continued to believe that death was permanent and one couldn't retain their identity. It was only during the Clone Wars that Qui-Gon Jinn revealed himself to Yoda, although his training was incomplete. Qui-Gon Jinn informed the Jedi Master Yoda that he too could learn to return from death through the Cosmic Force.
In this state, Qui-Gon Jinn's contact with the Force was not inhibited by a physical body. That's because he was of the Force, so could see possibilities and what was occurring in multiple locations at once. As a result, he could feel things before they occurred. Qui-Gon Jinn passed on his teachings to Yoda and Obi-Wan Kenobi, and so did the new philosophies that they learned, to help guide Luke Skywalker to his ultimate fate in the galaxy.
Qui-Gon Jinn’s Legacy and His Lightsaber’s Symbolism
The legacy of the maverick Jedi Master lived in his apprentice, Obi-Wan Kenobi. Qui-Gon Jinn was always seen as a rebel Jedi who could even disobey the Jedi Order if he felt it was the right thing to do so. Obi-Wan Kenobi didn't really agree with his Master's approach with the Jedi Council but he deeply respected his master Qui-Gon Jinn.
When Obi-Wan Kenobi and Qui-Gon Jinn presented Anakin Skywalker and the idea of Jedi to train him, the Jedi Council had mixed reactions. The opposing view was the fact that Anakin Skywalker was too emotional and older for Jedi training. But despite Jedi Council not agreeing to train Anakin Skywalker, Qui-Gon Jinn believed him to be the Chosen One according to the Jedi prophecy and even went ahead to say that he will leave the Jedi Order if it meant training Anakin Skywalker.
So when the Force-sensitive Qui-Gon Jinn was close to dying after getting brutally injured by Darth Maul, he made Obi-Wan Kenobi promise to train the Chosen One, Anakin Skywalker. Staying true to his promise, Obi-Wan Kenobi became the Jedi Master of Anakin Skywalker and took him as his apprentice. The legacy of the legend Qui-Gon Jinn continues as the first lightsaber that the Chosen One Anakin Skywalker wields is none other than Qui-Gon's green lightsaber.
A green lightsaber represents a strong connection with the Force. The famous wielders of green sabers are Qui-Gon Jinn, Yoda and Luke Skywalker. A Force-sensitive individual’s weapon is carried and given to another Force-sensitive individual representing the color of Force, green. Giving the green saber to Anakin Skywalker as he was the Chosen One found by Qui-Gon Jinn almost seems like an incredible life coming full circle in the Saga.
FAQs
Why is Qui-Gon Jinn’s lightsaber design special?
Qui-Gon's lightsaber had a simple, practical design. It had a textured handle and an alloy hilt, not fancy. It was different from the other fancy lightsabers of other Jedi Masters and stood out because of its simple and functional design.
How does Qui-Gon Jinn's lightsaber reflect his personality?
His lightsaber was simple, much in likeness to Qui-Gon's personality. The green color symbolized his strong bond to the Force, believing that he should have faith in the living Force rather than rigid perceptions like the Jedi Council.
What is the significance of Qui-Gon's lightsaber to Anakin?
Obi-Wan Kenobi retained the lightsaber following Qui-Gon's death. Later, this lightsaber was to Anakin Skywalker as his first lightsaber.