In the story of Kimetsu no Yaiba or Demon Slayer, every time the owner pulls the nichirin sword from its wrapper, they will see a different color. However, there is a condition, which is that the owner must have some special skills. Each color symbolizes the meaning and power of the owner.
The special sword nichirin or sun blade itself is the sword that the Demon Slayer uses in the Demon Slayer series: Kimetsu no Yaiba. This is the main weapon that is most effective for injuring and killing demons.
The nichirin weapon is the only one that can kill demons because it is made of a material that constantly absorbs sunlight. To kill a demon, the hunter must cut off their head, as this way the demon will not be able to regenerate.
Due to its special function, the nichirin sword is not made of ordinary materials. To make it, the forger needs Scarlet Crimson iron sand and Scarlet Ore. It is said that these materials only exist in high mountains like Sunlight Mountain or areas that receive constant sunlight throughout the year like Mount Yoko.
Here are the 14 colors of the nichirin sword in Demon Slayer that have different meanings.
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Meaning of the 14 Nichirin Sword Colors in Demon Slayer
1. Black, symbolizing Hinokami Kagura
At the beginning of the series, there was no explanation for the nichirin sword being black. In fact, Urokodaki also said that it is very rare for there to be a nichirin with that color.
Haganezuka made him feel disappointed because he expected to see a bright red color in Tanjiro’s new nichirin.
However, over time, it was revealed that the black nichirin sword symbolizes Sun Breathing, also known as Hinokami Kagura.
This is in accordance with the nature of the color black, which absorbs the sun’s heat better than other colors. Besides Tanjiro, Yoriichi Tsugikuni, the legendary Demon Slayer of the Sengoku era, also wore black nichirin.
2. Blue, symbolizing the Water Breathing Technique
Next is a blue-colored nichirin sword like that of Water Pillar Giyu Tomioka. As symbolized by Giyu’s color, it represents the Water Breathing Technique she mastered.
Aside from Giyu, another character who wields a blue nichirin sword is Sakonji Urokodaki, who was once a Pillar of Water and became the teacher of Giyu, Tanjiro, as well as the deceased Sabito and Makomo.
3. Yellow, symbolizing the Thunder Breathing Technique
Although in most of the series, Zenitsu Agatsuma looks like a coward who often finds ways to avoid his responsibilities, his breathing technique is actually very dangerous.
The Nichirin Zenitsu uses has a yellow color with a thunder pattern spreading from the base to the tip of the blade. This shows that Zenitsu has the Lightning Breathing ability which he mastered as the heir of the teacher he studied under, Jigoro Kuwajima.
4. Red, symbolizing the Fire Breathing Technique
With its fiery red glow, it is clear that this nichirin sword represents Fire Breathing, which Kyojuro Rengoku masters as the Pillar of Fire.
Aside from the color, we can also identify the owner of this nichirin as Flame Hashira through the flame pattern that crosses the blade.
The bright red color also indirectly reflects the burning passion in Rengoku’s characteristics.
5. Green, symbolizing the Wind Breathing Technique
The wind breathing technique in the Kimetsu no Yaiba series is symbolized by the color green, which can be seen through the nichirin sword that Sanemi Shinazugawa, a member of Hashira, has.
As the name suggests, this ability allows Sanemi to unleash an attack that’s just as dangerous as a tornado.
6. Gray, symbolizing Stone Breathing Technique
Gyomei Himejima is known as the strongest Hashira today because his power is inseparable from his main weapons, which are a spiked flail and a chain-linked axe.
His Nichirin gray color represents Stone Breathing associated with objectivity, steadfastness, and emotional detachment.
Interestingly, despite being a Stone Pillar, Gyomei is a gentle man and never hesitates to express his feelings even by crying.
7. Amber, symbolizing Sound Breathing Technique
Like Gyomei, Uzui’s Tengen Pillar of Sound also has a nichirin connected with a chain to link his two weapons, which in this case are machetes.
The color of the nichirin is amber, which corresponds to the characteristics of Sound Breathing that Tengen is good at.
This breathing technique combines Tengen’s keen hearing and his striking fighting style, which he acquired thanks to his experience as a ninja.
8. White, symbolizing the Mist Breathing Technique
Muichiro Tokito, one of the Pillars of Mist, has a standard katana that is a dull grayish-white color.
The color matches her breathing technique, Mist Breathing. It is said that Fog Breathing is a derivative of Wind Breathing that Sanemi mastered.
9. Indigo-grey, symbolizing Baest Breathing Technique
Inosuke Hashibira angered his nichirin forge by turning the double-edged sword into a tooth-edged one.
The indigo-gray Nichirin matched Inosuke’s Beast Breathing technique which was famous for its wild nature.
10. Lavender-blue, symbolizing Insect Breathing Technique
Shinobu Kocho, a member of the Insect Pillar, wields a lavender-blue Stinger Katana sword that perfectly matches his Insect breathing style.
In anime, this sword often symbolizes a butterfly. Unlike most sturdy swords, Shinobu’s nichirin sword looks slender and fragile.
This suits his fighting style which relies more on agility than physical strength. This nichirin sword is designed similar to a syringe, not to rely on Shinobu’s physical strength, but to utilize his skill in creating deadly poison for demons.
11. Light-pink, symbolizing the Flower Breathing Technique
The ordinary katana owned by Kanao Tsuyuri is said to have a bright pink color that represents her Flower Breathing.
He learned this breathing technique after seeing his deceased foster brother, Kanae Kocho, use the same katana and demonstrate his skills.
However, after the battle at Mount Natagumo, anime viewers have yet to see Kanao’s ability to wield a sword. We will see it soon, especially in the final battle.
12. Dark-pink, symbolizing the Breathing Technique of Love
There are various unique forms of nichirin introduced in the story, one of which is the Katana Whip that Mitsuri Kanroji possesses.
The nichirin is dark pink and symbolizes the Breathing of Love, in keeping with Mitsuri’s status as the Hashira of Love.
With this flexible nichirin form, it supports Mitsuri’s fighting style that relies on the softness and flexibility of her body.
13. Lavender, symbolizing the Snake Breathing Technique
The nichirin sword of the Serpent Pillar Obanai Iguro represents the deadly power of Serpent Breathing by using the color lavender.
The unique form of the Obanai katana may look like a traditional Indonesian kris, especially since it has a serpentine shape.
14. Light-purple, symbolizing the Moon Breathing Technique
There might be some of you who are wondering how Kokushibo, a demon, can have a nichirin sword?
The explanation is because Kokushibo was previously a Demon Slayer. To be more precise, he was the twin brother of Yoriichi Tsugikuni, namely Michikatsu Tsugikuni.
The nichirin sword possessed by this Upper Moon demon has a bright purple color. The color symbolizes the Moon Breathing that he possesses.
