Nichirin Swords Explained: What Do the Colours in Every Nichirin Sword Signify?

Demon Slayer is one of the most loved Anime of all time.

The tragic story of Tanjiro Kamado, our main protagonist, is enough to make anyone cry.

At the same time, his determination to save others and the hard work he puts in is more than enough to inspire someone to do the right thing.

Those of you who watch Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba must be wondering about the weapons used by the Demon Slayers, the Nichirin Blades, which they use to fight Demons.

These special blades have unique properties and are among the only three things that can kill a demon.

The other two are Sunlight and Wisteria plants.

Sunlight cannot be present during Night, and Wisteria cannot kill a demon instantly.

Also, no demon is going to roam around Wisteria, so using it to kill demons requires great skill and accuracy.

So the best choice for Demon Slayers is to use Nichirin Blades.

There have been a lot of theories and rumours about them, and you must be excited to know more about them.

So far, we have covered the details on Nichirin Blades, their Colors, and the properties that come with each Blade colour.

So let’s begin our journey of understanding the Nichirin Blades used by the members of the Demon Slayer Corps.

The Origin and Significance of Nichirin Swords

Nichirin Blades are special blades that can kill demons.

They are also known as colour-changing blades because of their unique ability to change colours based on the wielders.

The ore used for the blades has a unique ability to absorb Sunlight.

Thus they are effective against demons who cannot withstand Sunlight and burn.

The blades are therefore also known as the Sun blades.

The blades need not be traditional swords.

They can be different from the regular swords like the ones used by the Sound Hashira Tengen Uzui and the Love Hashira Mitsuri.

You can check out the various blades used by Hashira’s in the previous article on the most powerful Demon Slayers.

The unique properties of ore, when used in different types of blades, effectively kill a demon.

All the Hashira’s have the phrase “destroyer of demons” inscribed on their Nichirin Blades.

Now you might be wondering where this special ore is found and how are Nichirin blades made from it?

The Nichirin Blades are made from Scarlet Iron Sand and Scarlet Ore, both obtained from a mountain closest to the Sun.

Forgers from the swordsmith village forge the weapon for the wielder after passing the Final Selection Exam.

Now you must wonder why the blades change colour and what each colour signifies? So let’s find out.

Demon Slayer Nichirin Sword Explained: What Does the Colour Signify? 

The Nichirin Blades, also known as the colour-changing blades, change colour when its user pulls out the sword from its sheath for the first time.

The blades are said to be conductors of emotions and thus resemble the user’s character and qualities.

The breathing techniques used by the swordsmen also come into account as the Water Hashira, Giyu Tomioka possesses blue blade, and Zenitsu, who uses Lightning breathing, has Yellow blade.

The blades also resemble the person’s character, like the flaming red blade of the Flame Hashira, Kyojuro Rengoku. The personality of the wielder and its emotions are transferred to the blade.

The blade sometimes also absorbs its wielder’s hidden qualities, which they have not yet discovered, like Tanjiro Kamado‘s case.

After passing the Final Selection exam, when Tanjiro pulled out his blade for the first time, his blade turned black.

He is the wielder of the Sun Breathing Technique, the technique from which all other breathing styles have been derived and which is the most powerful of all.

But let’s leave this discussion for some other time and discuss the various colours of the Nichirin Blades.

Red Nichirin Blade

In Japanese culture, Red colour signifies self-sacrifice and the fighting spirit to protect someone.

It also represents the determination to do the right thing and never give up.

Also, it conveys the fury of red Lava, which can burn everything in its way.

The Flame Hashira, Kyojuro Rengoku’s Nichirin blade was red specifying his blazing strength and self-sacrifice.

He lived his entire life symbolizing his ideals and died protecting innocents.

His blade symbolized the fury that lay within him and the warm, caring nature that he possessed, and this is the best example of how Nichirin Blades can convey the emotions of its wielder.

Blue Nichirin Blade

The blue colour Nichirin blades symbolize the calmness and passiveness of water. Giyu Tomioka the Water Hashira and Urokodaki Sakonji, the former water Hashira have known to have Blue coloured blades.

They represent the strong yet flexible force of water.

The right sense of justice and the judgment to differentiate between good and evil. The calm nature to protect someone and the ferocious strength from fighting evil.

Every era of demon slayer corps has witnessed a Water Hashira and a Blue blade decapitating demons.

Yellow Nichirin Blade

Yellow Nichirin Blade represents the Thunder Breathing Technique.

The yellow colour in Japan represents bright Sunlight.

Zenitsu uses the Thunder breathing and has a yellow blade.

His blade had also absorbed his happy and playfully childish nature. His blade also has a lightning bolt, representing his thunder breathing.

Grey Nichirin Blade

The strongest hashira, Stone Hashira Gyomei Himejima, uses a spiked fail and axe as his weapon instead of the traditional Nichirin Swords.

But, his spiked fail and axe are also made from the ore used to make Nichirin blades.

In Japan, Grey colour symbolizes Maturity and reliability.

This is proof that despite being completely blind, Gyomei Himejima is the strongest Hashira of all and can destroy and tear apart strong demons with his bare hands.

Some might suggest that grey is a dull colour, and due to Gyomei’s loss of sight, his weapons are grey, but it must be noted that despite such odds, he has the strength to rise above all others and his grey flail and axe symbolize the same.

Green Nichirin Blade

The Nichirin Sword used by the Wind Hashira Shinezugawa Sanemi is green.

The green colour associated with the Wind Breathing technique represents fauna, youth, and energy which Sanemi embodies. The wind supports green nature and thus is suited to represent Wind Breathing.

Indigo Nichirin Blade

Inosuke Hashibara uses beast breathing techniques and uses two swords to fight demons. His swords are Indigo in colour.

Indigo is a natural colour that has been used for centuries. Here Indigo represents sincerity and his loyalty towards his friends Tanjiro and Zenitsu.

Inosuke might seem to be a little loud and rough but cares deeply for his comrades, as we have seen during the death of Flame Hashira Kyojuro Rengoku in the Mugen train arc. And his swords embody his emotions in Indigo colour.

Pink Nichirin Blade

In Japanese Culture, Pink represents love, feminity, and good health. It also means natural cherry blossoms which mark the spring season.

The Love Hashira, Kanorji Mitsuri symbolizes love, hope, and feminine strength, and her Nichirin Whip is Pink in colour.

Light Pink Nichirin Blade

The flower breathing technique users generally possess light pink-coloured Nichirin Blades.

It symbolizes tenderness, as represented by Tsuyuri Kanao and Kocho Kanae, who have light pink blades.

Many might think that pink and light pink blades represent feminine spirits of love and tenderness, but one must not underestimate their strength.

Flower Breathing is one of the most deadly techniques of late Hashira Kocho Kanae, sister of the Insect Hashira Kocho Shinobu.

Lavender Nichirin Blade

The Serpent Hashira Obanai Iguro has the Lavender coloured nichirin blade.

Lavender is a plant that is used to represent faithfulness in Japan.

In Obanai’s case, his swords represent his calmness towards humans and ferocious nature towards demons.

Obanai deeply loves Mitsuri and wants to see her happy at any cost.

Lavender embodies his feelings towards Mitsuri and his desire to make her happy even at the cost of his own life.

White Nichirin Blade

Like in every custom throughout the world, white symbolizes peace and purity.

The Mist Hashira Tokito Muichiro’s blade is entirely white.

According to Buddhist tradition, white colour is worn during mourning.

Muichiro’s sword embodies his emotions as he still mourns the death of his twin brother and the grief of his death is still ripe.

Nevertheless, Tokito Muchiro is one of the most skilled Hashira’s ever and the only known person to use the Mist Breathing Technique.

He is determined to eradicate demons, and though it might not seem like it, he is powerful and the youngest Hashira in the demon slayer corps.

Amber Nichirin Blade

Amber colour represents energy and boldness. The first name that comes to mind for these qualities is the Sound Hashira Tengen Uzui. And his Nichirin Cleavers embodies his personality in its Amber colour.

Amber symbolizes his bold and flamboyant personality and expresses the fact that he uses natural energy ‘Sound’ to defeat demons and protect the innocents.

Periwinkle Purple Nichirin Blade

The Insect Hashira Shinobu Kocho has Periwinkle purple coloured Nichirin Blade.

According to Japanese custom, the Periwinkle is the flower of death and symbolizes serenity and everlasting love.

Her sword carries her emotions of deep love towards her sister and the anger she hides behind her smiling face for demons.

She honours her sister by trying to live happily and joyfully but hides deep hatred for demons behind this mask.

Shinobu’s periwinkle Nichirin blades are also unique to her insect breathing. She is the only known swordsman of the demon slayer corps to use Wisteria poison to kill demons.

Purple Nichirin Blade

The strongest demon after the demon king himself, the Upper Demon Moon One, Kokushibo uses sword just like the demon slayers and uses a unique breathing technique known only to him, the Breath of Moon.

His Nichirin Sword is purple and symbolizes Nobility and Royalty.

Kokushibo was once a member of the demon slayer corps, but his arrogance took over his better half, and he turned into a demon.

Kokushibo comes from the Noble family, and his purple blade signifies his royal stature.

He is the brother of the strongest demon slayer who ever lived, the creator of all breathing techniques, and the wielder of the Sun Breathing Technique.

To know more about him, check out the article about the strongest demons of demon slayer, and Kokushibo is on the top of the list.

Learn more about the strongest demon, the Upper Demon Moon, here.

Black Nichirin Sword

Our main protagonist Tanjiro Kamado is the only known character yet with the Black Nichirin Sword.

Generally, the black colour represents evil luck, but its mystery is still unknown.

Tanjiro’s blade could have turned Blue as he used water breathing technique or Red as Hahanezuka expected, but it turned Black, the most mysterious sword, and little is known about this colour.

But his black colour blade might be because he can use two breathing techniques, Water Breathing and the Hinokami Kagura.

As we know that Tanjiro can use the Sun breathing technique, the strongest and first breathing technique ever used, his Black sword might symbolize his hidden talent.

Let’s leave this discussion for some other time, and we will discuss Sun Breathing and Tanjiro’s history in detail later.

One more colour of Nichirin Blades is not usual and can be achieved by only a few selected and the most skilled Demon Slayers, the Crimson Red.

When does a Nichirin Blade colour turn Crimson Red?

You all have seen a Nichirin sword turn Crimson Red. Let me remind you when?

During Tanjiro and Nezuko’s battle with the Lower Moon Five Riu, Tanjiro’s sword broke in two, but still, he used it to fight the lower moon five and used the Hinokami Kagura.

But it was not enough! However, when Nezuko used her blood demon to set Tanjiro’s blade on fire when he attacked the lower moon five with his final attack, it turned Crimson Red.

It could almost slice through the demon’s throat without using the Total Concentration Breathing Constant.

Yes, the powers of Nichirin Blades grow exponentially when it turns Crimson Red. It can happen when the temperature of the blade exceeds its limit.

Only three ways exist by which a Sword turns crimson red.

Tanjiro’s sword turned red colour when Nezuko’s Blood Demon Art combined with Tanjiro’s Hinokami Kagura.

The other two ways can be activated by only those swordsmen who have unleashed the demon slayer mark.

The blades turn Crimson Red when the sword’s wielder transfers all of their strength in the blade and are pushing themselves to the brink of death.

The last way is when the demon slayer who had activated the Demon Slayer Mark and is fighting against the demon, his weapon clashes with the demon with tremendous force and power.

The resulting friction causes the blade to superheat and eventually turn Crimson Red.

Yoriichi Tsukiguni was the first demon slayer to activate the Demon Slayer Mark and unleash the Crimson Red Nichirin Blade. He used it against the upper demon moon one, Kokushibo.

The Crimson Red nichirin blades can stop demons’ regeneration ability and burn their cells instantly. Even the Upper Demon Moon One, the strongest demon of all after the demon king Muzan himself, stood no chance against its power.

All of this is too much excitement and to watch the Nichirin Blades turn Crimson Red into action is something that we have to wait for. All of you might be hoping if you could have a Nichirin Blade of your right.

Let us know in the comments below what you liked the most in this article and what you want us to bring out next.

We will bring out the most specific details for you. Till then, sit tight and enjoy the Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba.