The lightsaber -- a weapon of the Jedi and the Sith -- is one of the most iconic concepts introduced by the Star Wars movies. It has become an emblem of the ongoing space opera, perfectly blending sci-fi and fantasy in a way that perfectly encapsulates the world-building and design ethos of Star Wars. Plenty of different lightsabers have featured in the Star Wars movies, but the weapons have been more radically reimagined in peripheral media.
From the now defunct Star Wars Legends continuity, to the TV series, comics, novels and other media in Disney's current Star Wars canon, plenty of stories have introduced more extravagant variations on the lightsaber to the galaxy far, far away. Many of these more obscure lightsabers are still waiting for a chance to shine in live action.
10 Protosabers
As the first lightsabers used by the Jedi and the Sith, protosabers first appeared in Star Wars Legends and were used in the earliest conflicts between the two orders of Force-wielders. They were similar to standard lightsabers in appearance, but were connected to an external power pack on the wielder's belt, via a length of cable.
A version of protosabers -- styled as "proto-sabers" -- has now appeared in canon as well. Introduced in the VR experience, Star Wars: Secrets of the Empire, the canon proto-sabers differed greatly from their Legends counterparts. They did not use external power packs and looked more like regular swords, featuring blades made of two long metal prongs that would generate an energy blade between them.
9 Forcesabers
While protosabers were the first weapons officially adopted by the Jedi Order, Forcesabers actually predated them in Legends continuity. These weapons were developed by the Rakata, a race of conquerors, corrupted by the dark side of the Force. In Star Wars Legends, the Rakatan Empire once spread across the entire galaxy, during which time the Rakata made use of Force-sensitive servants dubbed Force Hounds.
Force Hounds constructed and used Forcesabers. The weapons looked almost identical to later lightsabers, though with larger hilts. While these weapons were used by some members of the Je'daii Order -- predecessors to the Jedi -- the crystals in Forcesabers actually drew exclusively upon the dark side, putting their wielders at risk of being corrupted.
8 Jedi Temple Guards' Lightsaber Pikes
By the time of the Clone Wars, yellow lightsabers were a rare sight in the galaxy. In fact, in canon, the only Jedi to still use yellow-bladed lightsabers were the Jedi Temple Guards. These guards surrendered all signs of individuality in an ultimate sign of commitment to the Jedi Order and their roles within it. Rather than possessing their own, individually constructed lightsabers, they were each issued these yellow-bladed sabers.
While some used standard double-bladed lightsabers, most Temple Guards were seen using lightsaber pikes. These double-ended sabers featured shorter blades and longer hilts, turning them into spear-like weapons used in defense of the Jedi's most sacred sites.
7 Lord Corvax's Lightsword
Lord Dorwin Corvax lived over a thousand years before the events of Star Wars' Skywalker Saga, on the planet Mustafar. He was the owner of this ancient lightsaber, dubbed the Lightsword, which was seen in the Vader Immortal VR games.
The weapon's hilt was evocative of that of an ancient ceremonial sword, adorned with golden detailing and a broad metal crossguard. The saber also featured swirling metal that encases the bottom of the blade when ignited and, unusually, an exposed Kyber crystal. Its ornate design sets it apart from other lightsabers and, as a symbol of Lord and Lady Corvax's power, it could be used to operate ancient Mustafarian technology.
6 Asajj Ventress' Split Sabers
Sith assassin and apprentice to Count Dooku, Asajj Ventress first appeared on the 2003 Star Wars: Clone Wars micro series, before going on to play a major role in the 2008 Clone Wars animated movie and subsequent series. She carried twin red lightsabers with curved hilts, and the Clone Wars movie revealed she could connect them into a single dual-bladed lightsaber.
Ventress' connected double-bladed saber was set apart from other double-ended lightsabers by its S-shaped hilt, created by the curve of her two individual hilts. This gave the weapon a distinctive, asymmetric design that was unique to Asajj Ventress.
5 Orange Kohlen Crystal Lightsabers
Orange lightsabers are a rare sight in the Star Wars galaxy. Though orange is a lightsaber color option in the Star Wars Jedi video game series, in canon, orange has not been shown as a color that could be produced by Kyber crystals. However, lightsabers powered by Kohlen crystals did produce orange blades.
Kohlen crystals were incredibly rare -- even more so than regular Kyber crystals. They were not as resonant with the Force as Kyber crystals though and, consequently, the orange blades they produced were not as powerful as a standard lightsaber blade. Dark-siders Baylan Skoll and Shin Hati use blood-orange lightsabers in Ahsoka, but it is not yet known if these weapons are powered by Kohlen crystals.
4 Lightsaber Gauntlet
Lightsaber gauntlets have not appeared in any official Star Wars media, however, the idea was revealed in concept art for Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith. At one point, George Lucas was considering showcasing different lightsaber variations in the final movie of the prequel trilogy. This led to one piece of concept art in which Plo Koon is seen wearing a gauntlet with two short lightsaber blades projecting from it.
While the lightsaber gauntlet is not officially part of Star Wars canon or Legends, concept art that was initially unused has gone on to be picked back up. Star Wars Rebels in particular breathes life into several unused Ralph McQuarrie concept art ideas. The lightsaber gauntlet could be the next unused idea to get a second chance.
3 Tera Sinube's Lightsaber Cane
Tera Sinube was introduced on Star Wars: The Clone Wars, during the animated series' second season. He was an elder Jedi, who helped Ahsoka Tano recover her stolen lightsaber in the episode "Lightsaber Lost." His own lightsaber was particularly different from those of his fellow Jedi. The weapon, which included wooden detailing on the hilt, could be concealed in the handle of his walking cane.
Sinube's lightsaber was also notable for its strange coloration. While it was depicted as a standard blue in Tales of the Jedi, in The Clone Wars it had appeared almost white. Canonically, however, it was considered an incredibly pale blue.
2 Stellan Gios' Broadsword Lightsaber
Introduced as part of the Star Wars: The High Republic publishing initiative, Stellan Gios was a Jedi Master when the Order was at the peak of its power. His lightsaber was a reflection of that.
While Kylo Ren was seen wielding a crossguard lightsaber in the Star Wars sequel trilogy, Stellan Gios' lightsaber incorporates a metal crossguard as well as a crossguard formed by his lightsaber blade. The hilt is also longer, turning the weapon into a true imitation of medieval broadswords, reflecting the description of High Republic Jedi as the Jedi Knights of the Round Table.
1 Star Wars: Visions' Lightsaber Umbrella
Perhaps the strangest lightsaber design to ever be introduced in any Star Wars media, Star Wars: Visions featured a lightsaber umbrella. This weapon was wielded by a Sith who led a group of bandits. The umbrella-shaped device was actually an attachment for the Sith's standard lightsaber. When fixed to the hilt, it turned the single-bladed weapon into a vast, circular, multi-bladed one.
The lightsaber umbrella boasted obvious defensive capabilities when spun, serving as a large shield. It could also act as a sort of parachute and a fast-moving offensive weapon. While the design is not yet canon, this wild design surely deserves a place in the mainstream Star Wars universe.