Fan Theories Wiki
Register
Advertisement
ZeldaWindWakerGCNCoverArtUS

The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker

The Legend of Zelda:  The Wind Waker is a video game released in the year 2002, and was the eleventh game released in The Legend of Zelda franchise.

Hyrule[]

Hyrule1

Hyrule Symbol

While certain landmarks of Hyrule commonly return, Hyrule's geography appears to be laid out differently with almost every new game set in it. Parts of Hyrule found in one game's map may be in a different location, have different geographical features, or be completely absent in another. While some games may take into account the geography in past Zelda games (A Link to the Past and Four Sword Adventures share almost the same Hylian geography) others may completely ignore them (The Minish Cap's Hyrule bears almost no resemblance to any other game). Several fan explanations have been given. The first is that the changes occurred because of geological events between the games such as earthquakes, mudslides, erosion, forest growth, continental drift, or all of the above. The second theory is that Hyrule's geography stays relatively the same but that each new game shows the same Hyrule seen from a different angle, that landmarks are renamed, or that other unseen parts of Hyrule are seen each game.

Hyrule2

Hyrule Map

Some fans argue that while Hyrule does change from game to game it is simply due to gameplay reasons to give players something new to explore while staying in the same land and has no real in-game explanations.

It is also possible that different parts of Hyrule are shown throughout the various games. In The Legend of Zelda comics, the map from Zelda II: The Adventure of Link is added to the north of the map found in The Legend of Zelda, and the in-game map for Zelda II: The Adventure of Link also has an area that resembles a scaled down version of the map in The Legend of Zelda. The geography then allows the map from A Link to the Past to be included to the west.

Spectacle Rock[]

Spectacle Rock, located at the summit of Death Mountain, presumably appears as an island on the Great Sea known as Spectacle Island. The Great Sea, the country in which the game is set, was in truth created when Hyrule was flooded by the Gods. Spectacle Rock, the very top of the tall, tall Death Mountain, is the only surviving landmark of that area.

Anton[]

Anton (The Wind Waker)

Anton

It is possible that Anton shares some sort of connection with Pamela's Father from The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask, as the two look mildly similar and wear the same style shirts.

Aryll[]

Aryll

Aryll

It is possible that Aryll is based off of Marin from The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening, as they both love seagulls and wear very similar clothing.

Ashei[]

Ashei

Ashei

It is possible that Ashei has some connection with Gonzo, one of Tetra's pirates from The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, as both of them are very gruff and masculine and tend to append the word "yeah?" to the end of their sentences. Ashei's father is claimed to have been a Knight of Hyrule; in The Wind Waker, there is a portrait hanging in the sunken Hyrule Castle depicting Princess Zelda surrounded by knights bearing resemblance to Tetra's pirates, one of which bears a resemblance to Gonzo. Because Twilight Princess and The Wind Waker take place at the same time but in different timelines, it may be that this knight is actually both Ashei's and Gonzo's father (or some sort of common ancestor), having fathered them both in different timelines. This is questionable however, as Gonzo is a Hylian unlike Ashei who is a Human. It is more likely that she is a reference to him rather than being directly related.

Baito[]

Baito

Baito

Due to their similar appearance and shared profession as a part-time worker, some believe that Baito from The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, is a descendant of the Part-time Employee from The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask.

Bunny Hood[]

Bunny Hood (Majora's Mask)

Bunny Hood

The Bunny Hood (ウサギずきん, Usagi Zukin?) is a recurring mask in the Legend of Zelda series. As its name suggests, the mask resembles the upper head of a rabbit, including the eyes and ears. The ears will flop around due to a "jiggle-bone" program when Link walks or perform most other movements such as using the sword and/or jumping.

Pols Voice[]

The Bunny Hood bears a resemblance to a Pols Voice, a recurring enemy in the series. This may not be a coincidence, however; when Link sells the Bunny Hood to the Running Man in Ocarina of Time, he states upon receiving the mask, "I bet with those long ears you can hear the voices." This quote may very well indicate a connection between the Bunny Hood and the Pols Voice. The Bunny Hood itself may simply be a reference to The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, in which Link becomes a bunny in the Dark World before obtaining the Moon Pearl.

Star Fox[]

The Bunny Hood is believed to be a reference to Peppy Hare, an anthropomorphic hare from the Star Fox series. Peppy is a decidedly positive and optimistic character, similar to Grog's attitude before presenting Link with the Bunny Hood. It is one of five masks that are a supposed reference to Star Fox, along with the Bremen Mask, Don Gero's Mask, the Keaton Mask, and the Mask of Scents.

Cyclos/Golden Chief Cylos Theory[]

Cyclos

Cyclos

It is likely that Cyclos is somehow connected to Golden Chief Cylos from The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass. This is likely because they are both similarly named overgrown frogs, who have wind-related powers.

Darknut[]

Darknut (The Wind Waker)

Darknut

It is possible that the Japanese for Darknut, タートナック (Tātonakku), was intended to represent the English words "Dark Knight," especially considering the nature of the enemy in question and Japanese conventions for representing English with katakana. The localization team may not have realized what the katakana was attempting to borrow from English, with the series recycling the original mistranslation throughout the games rather than correcting it. However, this raises the question of why ダークナイト (Dākunaito) was not simply used instead, as it more accurately represents "Dark Knight" phonetically.

It should also be noted that Darknut and Iron Knuckle アイアンナック (Aiannakku) share the same katakana ending. This poses further questions as to the translations of both names: Darknut could have been "Dark Knuckle", and Iron Knuckle could have been "Iron Nut" or "Iron Knight".

Din (Goddess)[]

"Din... With her strong flaming arms, she cultivated the land and created the red earth." — Great Deku Tree

Din, the Goddess of Power, is a recurring character in the Legend of Zelda series. She is one of the three Golden Goddesses of Hyrule. Din, along with her sisters Nayru and Farore, came down from the heavens and created Hyrule out of the chaos the land formerly was, each contributing her part in the process. Din, the Goddess of Power, formed the terrain of Hyrule. Upon departure, the three goddesses left the Triforce, the essence of their power, in the Sacred Realm. As the goddess of power, Din is closely associated with the Triforce of Power.

The spell Din's Fire was named after her. The Oracle of Seasons, Din of Holodrum, is named after the Goddess of Power. Din's Pearl, belonging to the Rito people, was also named after her, and said to have once belonged to her. Eldin Province, a province of Hyrule featuring volcanic mountains, is named in her honor. The Light Spirit, Eldin, and its spring were also named after her likeness. In addition, the dragon Eldin is named after the goddess. Her symbol is the Mark of Din.

Goddess of the Sand[]

Din

Din

It is speculated that Din is the Goddess of the Sand that the Gerudo worship. Some evidence supporting this theory is that Farore could supposedly be the "Goddess of Wind" spoken of in The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker and Nayru could supposedly be the "Goddess of Time" spoken of in The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask. (Note, Farore could also be the goddess of time, as Ciela is the spirit of courage and time in The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass, and Farore is the definitely the goddess of courage. Also, the mark of Nayru is on the Isle of Gust in the same game, so she would most likely be the goddess of wind (also, wind tends to be associated with sand).

One contradiction, though, is that Lanayru in The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, has an abundance of Timeshift Stones. The Arbiter's Grounds in Twilight Princess contain statues resembling the Goddess of Sand, holding flames; fire is often closely associated with Din. She would also be indirectly connected to the Gerudo tribe through Ganondorf's Triforce of Power. However, some contradictions to this theory include Din's Fire being found outside Hyrule Castle, while Nayru's Love is found at the Desert Colossus near the Gerudo's home. Furthermore, the idea that Nayru is the Goddess of Time and Farore is the Goddess of Wind is only speculation.

A further refute is that in The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, Lanayru Desert is named after Nayru and not Din. The region, however, could have just retained the name as it was a cliff and sea area before.

Mountain Goddess[]

Some theorize that Din is the Mountain Goddess from The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks. Din is known for creating the earth and its features, which would include mountains. It is possible that, over time, her name faded out of memory and she came to be referred to as the Mountain Goddess. However, the Mountain Goddess has never been mentioned in any games other than Spirit Tracks, by the Gorons or any other race. Also, the eruptions believed to be caused by the Mountain Goddess were in reality caused by Cragma. This may indicate that the Mountain Goddess may not even be real.

Dragon Roost Cavern[]

Because some believe that Dragon Roost Island was Death Mountain in the past, it is possible that Dragon Roost Cavern is the Fire Temple. This theory is furthered by the abundant amount of similarities between the two temples, as well as the cave paintings in Dragon Roost Cavern that bear a striking resemblance to Volvagia, the boss of the Fire Temple in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.

It may have also been Dodongo's Cavern, as it is also in Death Mountain, some parts of the cave also look similar to it, and the music is similar.

Fado (The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker)[]

Fado2

Fado

Fado may be a descendant of the Sage of Forest, Saria, since both of them are Kokiri sages that share a similar hairstyle. This is also supported by the observation that new sages tend to be descendants of old sages, as is the case with Makar and Fado.

However, some people believe, due to the identical hair color and the name, that Fado is the descendant of the Kokiri girl of the same name from Ocarina of Time.

Farore (Goddess)[]

Farore(Goddess)

Farore

If Farore is indeed the Goddess of Wind as Tingle states, the Wind Temple may be dedicated to her.

Since Link holds the Triforce of Courage and is the Hero of Time, Farore may be the Goddess of Time. Evidence supporting this theory is the fact that Ciela, the Spirit of Courage, is also the Spirit of Time. Her symbol is also the Mark of Farore.

Ferris Wheel[]

Ferris Wheel

Ferris Wheel

As some people speculate that Windfall Island was once Kakariko Village, some believe that the Ferris Wheel was once the Windmill from The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.

Fire Mountain[]

Fire Mountain

Fire Mountain

It is believed by some that Fire Mountain was once a part of the Death Mountain Range before Hyrule flooded, but the authenticity of this is yet to be confirmed.

Forbidden Woods[]

Forbidden Woods

Forbidden Woods

Some believe the Forbidden Woods to be the Lost Woods, Kokiri Forest, or the remains of the Deku Tree from The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. This theory can be disputed by the fact that in Ocarina of Time, this general region was not on a mountain of any great size. However, the survival of the Kokiri/Koroks and the implication that the Great Deku Tree seen in Forest Haven may be the Deku Tree Sprout lends support to the possibility that the region did somehow survive the Great Flood.

Some additional evidence to this theory is the Kokiri symbol seen on the doors in the Forbidden Woods, and the mentioning by one Korok that the Forbidden Woods were once the Koroks' home.

Forest Haven[]

The Forest Haven and the Forbidden Woods might share some sort of connection to Kokiri Forest and the Lost Woods from The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. Inside the Forbidden Woods are structures that look like the homes of the Kokiri; the homes, which are stated by one of the Koroks to be their homes when they lived in the Forbidden Woods long ago, are the same shape as they are in the Ocarina of Time. It is possible that the Forest Haven was once the Great Deku Tree's Meadow.

There is also a possibility that the Forest Haven is within the remnants of the original Deku Tree from Ocarina of Time, given that the entire area is inside of what appears to be a massive, hollow tree trunk. This may be hinted at by the presence of several Boko Babas immediately outside of the haven, in parralel to the Deku Babas encoutered just before the Deku Tree in Ocarina of Time.

The music outside of the Forest Haven also bears a similar tune to that in Kokiri Forest from Ocarina of Time.

Forsaken Fortress[]

Forsaken Fortress

Forsaken Forest

The Forsaken Fortress may once have been the Gerudo's Fortress from The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, as they are both in the same area of Hyrule, both are thieves' hideouts, and in both Link can be imprisoned if he is caught by guards. Also, it makes sense that Ganondorf would set up his fortress in the same place he used to live. As the Gerudo were pirates in The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask, they may have become pirates once again after the Great Flood.

Great Flood[]

Great Flood

Great Flood

The Great Flood may have been inspired by stories such as the flood in the Bible and Torah.

It is stated that, despite the prayers of the people of Hyrule, the Hero of Time did not appear when Ganondorf broke free of his prison in the Sacred Realm, because he had left the land of Hyrule after defeating Ganondorf. It is strongly theorized that the Hero of Time never appeared because after the events of Ocarina of Time, he was transported to Termina, an alternate world of Hyrule, leading up to the events of Majora's Mask. It is possible that he never found his way back to Hyrule after the events of Majora's Mask, thus forcing the Golden Goddesses to seal Hyrule away under the Great Sea.

However, since the legend states that the story of the Hero was passed down for generations until it became legend, it is possible that it was more than a century since Link saved the kingdom by the time of Ganondorf's return. It was also stated in the Hyrule Historia that the Hero of Time became the Hero's Shade in Twilight Princess, thus heavily hinting that he eventually returned to Hyrule as evidenced by his descendant who is the Link in said game. It is more likely that the Hero of Time merely didn't appear due to going to the Child Timeline.

Great Sea[]

Great Sea

Great Sea

Judging by the location of the Ocean Realm in New Hyrule, it can be assumed that it is far to the north of the Great Sea, but there is no evidence to support this other than this speculation.

Hero's Bow[]

Hero's Bow

Hero's Bow

In The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, Dangoro states that the bow Link obtains was used by "an ancient hero". Given that The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask is officially placed before Twilight Princess in the timeline, it is possible that the Hero's Bow in Twilight Princess is the same as the one Link uses in Majora's Mask. However, Link was not known as a hero in Hyrule at the end of Majora's Mask, so for this theory to be true, he would need to have made a name for himself in Hyrule some time after the events of Majora's Mask.

It was stated in the Hyrule Historia that the Hero's Shade (who is the Hero of Time) lamented that he wasn't remembered as a hero which further conflicts with the situation. It is possible that he actually was remembered as a hero by some, but didn't know about that for himself. This is possible, given that Ashei also mentions "the legendary hero" when she first spoke to Link and noted his clothes.

Hero's Clothes[]

Hero's Clothes

Hero's Clothes

Because the Link in The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword was the first hero chosen by the Gods, and the knights are seen wearing the Hero's Clothes, it is possible that this is where they originated from, and from this Link they have been passed down. It is more likely however, that the Hero of Time was the one who passed down the idea as shown in Wind Waker and Twilight Princess.

Ho Ho Tribe[]

It is possible that the Ho Ho Tribe was inspired by Old Man Ho Ho, a character from from The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker. Some people also believe Old Man Ho Ho is a part of the Ho Ho tribe.

Jabun[]

Jabun

Jabun

Jabun is stated to be Lord Jabu-Jabu by Prima's Guide for The Wind Waker, meaning that he returned to the land of Hyrule following the Hero of Time's departure to the past and that he survived the Great Flood, taking on the name Jabun once the Great Sea was formed. The credibility of the guide is disputed, however, since Prima is often inaccurate in their information on the series, and since this theory has not been confirmed by Nintendo.

Jabun's theme sounds very similar to the background music from Inside Jabu-Jabu's Belly, which may imply a relationship between them.

Keaton Mask[]

Keaton Mask

Keaton Mask

"Is that a "Kee...something..." character mask? I heard he's very popular recently?" — Keaton Mask Soldier

The Keaton Mask (キータンのお面, Kitan no Omen?) is a recurring mask in the Legend of Zelda series. The mask is based on the mysterious fox-like creature known as Keaton. People's reactions to the Keaton Mask indicate that it is based on a seemingly fictional character named Keaton, who is popular with the children of Hyrule and apparently Termina at one point.

Name[]

Though an actual Keaton appears in Majora's Mask, this creature is never seen nor made reference to in Ocarina of Time. As a result, the meaning of its name remains a point of speculation. It is possible that the name is meant to be a reference to kitsune, the Japanese word for "fox", which also serves as the name bestowed upon mischievous foxes from Japanese folklore in English retellings.

Pikachu[]

Though an actual Keaton is seen in Majora's Mask, and the mask in Ocarina of Time is recognized as a fox by some characters, the mask may also be a reference to Pikachu from Nintendo's Pokémon series. The mask and Pikachu have similar coloration, and both are very popular among children (in the Zelda universe and the real world, respectively). Lastly, Princess Zelda misidentifies the mask as a mouse, which is the type of creature Pikachu is listed as.

Star Fox[]

The Keaton Mask is believed to be a reference to Fox McCloud, an anthropomorphic fox that serves as the main character of the Star Fox series. It is one of five masks that are a supposed reference to Star Fox, along with the Bremen Mask, the Bunny Hood, Don Gero's Mask, and the Mask of Scents.

Knights of Hyrule[]

Knights of Hyrule

Knights of Hyrule

It is possible that the Knights of Hyrule trace their origins back to the Knights of Skyloft from The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword as a means of protecting the citizens of Hyrule.

The Hylian Shield as well as the Knight's Crest bears a bird motif, possibly representing the Loftwing, further supporting this idea.

Laruto[]

Laruto

Laruto

It is possible that Laruto is a descendant of Princess Ruto, the Sage of Water during the events of Ocarina of Time, considering the similarity between their names and statuses as Zora sages. This theory seems likely, especially since an image of Ruto is seen in a stained glass window of Hyrule Castle, indicating she was still a legendary figure when Laruto was alive.

A silhouette of the Zora's Sapphire can be seen on Laruto's robe.

Lenzo[]

Lenzo

Lenzo

In his younger days, Lenzo explored the Great Sea tirelessly and took many pictographs of the places he visited, and put them on display on the second floor of his shop on Windfall Island. He also struck a relationship with a certain woman on Outset Island. Eventually, Lenzo's Picto Box was stolen by someone, an incident that he has not gotten over even when he met Link.

Link[]

Reincarnation[]

Link

Link

A common theory as to why each incarnation of Link looks similar and have similar abilities is that they are reincarnations of one another. It is notable that when Demise put a curse onto the Skyward Sword, Link, and Zelda, he stated "Those like you... Those who share the blood of the goddess and the spirit of the hero." which may have been referring to reincarnation. It should be noted however, that Link from The Wind Waker could not be the reincarnation of the Hero of Time since the latter went to the Child Timeline and effectively disappeared from the Adult Timeline. According to the King of Red Lions, the Hero of Winds has no connection to the Hero of Time, though it is unclear whether he is referring to blood relation or reincarnation with this statement. It is worth noting that Ganondorf believes the Hero of Winds is the Hero of Time reborn, though his claim has no concrete evidence. Link from Twilight Princess also could not be the reincarnation of the Hero of Time since, according to Hyrule Historia, he not only met the Hero of Time as the Hero's Shade, but is however his descendant.

Relatives[]

Another theory as to why each incarnation of Link looks similar to one another is that they are actually related to one another. This is supported by the fact that the Hero of Time is the ancestor of Link in Twilight Princess as well as how it is stated in A Link to the Past that the Master Sword can only be pulled out from its pedestal by the ones who carry the bloodline of the Knights of Hyrule. It is possible that when Demise stated "Those like you... Those who share the blood of the goddess and the spirit of the hero," when he put a curse on Link and Zelda, he was actually referring to the "spirit of the hero" as a form of will or a set of personality traits rather than the soul itself. If this is the case, this could explain each Link's connection with the Triforce as well as their abilities in physical, mystical, and spiritual ways.

This may mean when he was stating "Those who share the blood of the goddess" he was referring to Skyward Sword Link and Zelda's descendants as the other incarnation of Links rather than the Royal Family of Hyrule, where an alternate reason for the Royal Family having magical powers is the Light Force as hinted in The Minish Cap. This would explain why Link faces other adversaries aside from Ganon, with Zelda (or other members of the Royal Family) sometimes not being present to support the side of good in games such as as Majora's Mask, Link's Awakening and Tri Force Heroes The original Japanese text that Demise states is that his hatred and the Demon Tribe will go under an "evolution", which may mean the curse could involve other villains apart from Ganon himself.

If each Link is related to one another, they need not be related along a single line of descendants. For example, the Hero of Winds cannot be a direct descendant of the Hero of Time since the latter returned to the Child Timeline immediately after his victory over Ganon while being a young preteen in a teenager's body, but provided the Hero of Winds can trace his lineage to Skyward Sword Link, the theory still holds. It is possible that the reason why the Master Sword can only be pulled from it's pedestal by someone who carries the bloodline of the Knights of Hyrule is actually a sub-conscience decision by Fi, who is the spirit of the Master Sword.

Madas[]

It is possible that in the contemporary Hylian language during the events of Skyward Sword, Link's name may be "Madas" when pronounced. This would explain why Fi, when talking to Link in dialogue that uses his name, often says "Madi Madas" with "Madi" possibly being "Master" in the language. Alternatively, it is possible that Fi's words are gibberish used repetitively in the game, similar to Midna in Twilight Princess.

Link's Grandmother[]

Link's Grandmother

Link's Grandmother

Lenzo, the pictograph loving shop owner on Windfall Island, hints at a previous relationship with a young woman on Outset, and then concludes that she was no longer as young as she once was. Link's Grandma is the eldest female on Outset and appears nearer to Lenzo's age than any of the other residents of the island, which may imply that Link's Grandma was Lenzo's love interest and that Lenzo is possibly Link's grandfather.

Magic Armor[]

Magic Armor

Magic Armor

The Magic Armor from Twilight Princess may have some connection to the Royal Family of Hyrule, due to the Triforce mark and the helm's similarity to a crown. The pauldrons and helm of the armor also resemble the pauldrons and tiara Princess Zelda is seen wearing. Another possibility is that the armor may have belonged to the Hero's Shade, due to similarities of appearance of the armor. However, Link is the only one who has ever been observed wearing the armor, so evidence linking it to the Royal Family focuses on the ever-present Triforce mark.

Mako[]

Mako

Interestingly, there are many similarities between Mako and Shad, a member of the Resistance from The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess. Both wear circular eyeglasses, and keep a small dagger in their books. This may be more than an allusion; Mako is a member of Tetra's pirate crew who are implied to be the descendants of the royal servants. Shad is one of the members of the Resistance, who indirectly serve the Royal Family, and according to the game's official strategy guide, his father worked as a butler in the royal palace. It is plausible that the two could share a common ancestor, or could be the same person in the parallel universes. Also, Mako is a species of salt-water shark, and a "Shad" is a species of fresh-water fish, possibly alluding to their differing moral values.

Masks[]

It has been thought that masks in The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask could be based off of things from the "real-world". An older coin of New Zealand has a mask that looks somewhat similar to Majora's Mask. Other masks in the game have also been thought to be based off of other things. The Kamaro Mask has been thought to be based off of the Trance Dancer mask, worn by Maori people. The Bremen Mask has been thought to be based off of another Maori mask called the Batik Flame Mask. Other masks and things in the game have also been thought to be based off of Maori masks and items.

Mother and Child Isles[]

Mother and Child Isles

Mother and Child Isles

It is possible that the Mother & Child Isles are the Spirit Temple from The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. This is possible because they are located in roughly the same area as the Spirit Temple. Additionally, when looking towards the direction of the Spirit Temple from the top of the Gerudo's Fortress, one can see two tall rocks; a small one and a much larger one, which houses the Spirit Temple.

Multiple Ganon Theory[]

The Multiple Ganon Theory is the theory that there exists more than one Ganon/Ganondorf in the Zelda timeline, in much the same way that Link and Princess Zelda exist as more than one person throughout the Legend of Zelda series. Variations include ideas that Ganondorf is locked in the same cycle of reincarnation as Link, or that Ganon is a malevolent demon who possesses people, Ganondorf being one such host. Supporting the reincarnation idea, it is said by the Gerudo that only a single male is born into their tribe every one hundred years. Depending on the game, he is said to be destined to become either the King of the Gerudo or the guardian of the desert and the Gerudo.

Although the theory has been around for quite some time, most modern versions of this theory stem out of Ganondorf's back-story in The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures, which conflicts with Ganondorf's back-story in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. In Four Swords Adventures the Gerudo talk about a man named Ganondorf who had been born and lived in the Desert of Doubt with them. They mentioned that he had grown into an evil man with a lust for power and had broken their laws by stealing a Trident deep in the desert that gave him incredible powers, such as transforming him into Ganon.

This is in direct contrast to the back-story Ganon was given in Ocarina of Time, in which he is acknowledged by many as the king of the Gerudo, and does not become Ganon until acquiring the Triforce of Power. Additionally, the back-story of The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, which explains the actions of the Ganondorf from Ocarina of Time in an alternate timeline, says that a tribe of thieves, most likely the Gerudo, followed him in his attack on Hyrule, again showing that he was accepted as king.

There are only three logical explanations to these conflicting back-stories:

  • One is that a single Ganondorf had ventured to the desert and stolen the Trident, broke out of the seal he was placed at at the end of Four Swords Adventures but was not killed by Link, turned back into Ganondorf, and returned to the Gerudo later at a time that they were willing to acknowledge him as king. This would require that Four Swords Adventures take place before Ocarina of Time.
  • The second explanation is that the game is not part of the overall storyline within the series, though official statements indicate that all the games from the main series are included in the official timeline document.
  • The third explanation is that the Ganondorfs from the two games are separate incarnations, much like the many Links, Zeldas, and other characters who are seen multiple times throughout the series. This theory is supported by a quote at the end of Four Swords Adventures in which Princess Zelda calls Ganon an "ancient demon reborn". This is similar language to a line in The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker in which Ganondorf calls the game's incarnation of Link "The Hero of Time, reborn".
  • Another solid point for this theory is the apparent death of Ganondorf/Ganon five separate times throughout the series. An individual Ganon is only shown to be resurrected once. Even with this resurrection, and the split timeline allowing a single individual Ganon to die twice, there would still need to be three separate Ganons in order to account for all of the presumed deaths. In order for all of the Ganons in the series to be the same, Ganon would have to have been brought back to life on two additional occasions not hinted at by any of the games, or survived at least two of his apparent deaths.

In The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, Demise states that his hatred will be reincarnated and attack in a cycle without end. This is often interpreted as meaning that Ganon's repeated appearances are a result of this cycle. If Ganon as we know him is a result of Demise's hatred continuously reincarnating itself, there would be further support for the idea that multiple Ganons could continue to appear even as previous ones are slain. This would support the Multiple Ganon Theory as each Ganon would be a separate incarnation in this cycle, though all of them would share the same basic origin of forming from Demise's hatred.

While the Multiple Ganon Theory has yet to gain wide spread acceptance, it has nonetheless gained the respect of some timeline theorist and fans of the series.

Shigeru Miyamoto has stated that although each Link and Zelda are reincarnations, there is "only one Ganon". However, this statement may now be outdated or may have been made based on a lack of information, as Miyamoto is no longer as involved with the Zelda storyline as he previously was.

According to the Hyrule Historia, a second Ganondorf is born during the events leading to Four Swords Adventures. The book either implies or states directly that the rest of Ganon's appearances are the same being brought back to life, or versions of him in alternate timelines.

Niko[]

Some fans speculate that Niko could possibly be descended from the Royal Family of Hyrule. He is a close friend of Tetra, a proven descendant of Princess Zelda. He also closely resembles a man from a painting of the Royal Family, found in Hyrule Castle in The Wind Waker.

Also, many of the other members of the Royal Family resemble other members of Tetra's Pirates, and both groups include seven members each. It is possible that at the time of the Great Flood, everything that the Royal Family had was destroyed. Having nowhere to go, they may have built a ship and became pirates.

Ocean King[]

Ocean King

The Ocean King is believed to be related to, or indeed to be the very same character as the Wind Fish from The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening, due to the fact that they are both whales and have the ability to create their own worlds. In addition, both characters have another character who helps Link who is either confirmed or heavily implied to be a disguise for them (Oshus and the Owl, respectively).

The Ocean King also bears resemblance to Levias, as both are guardian whale deities, but their relation, if any, is unknown.

Old Man Ho Ho[]

Old Man Hoho

It is likely that Old Man Ho Ho later inspired the creation of the Ho Ho Tribe from The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass. It is unknown whether or not Old Man Ho Ho himself is supposed to be a part of the tribe, but cases can be made for this as well.

Pawprint Isle[]

Pawprint Isle

Some fans believe that Pawprint Isle is the home island of the ChuChu race. This theory is supported by many factors including the fact that the entrance to the large Hidden Hole in the center of the island contains two statues in the shape of ChuChus outside. This theory is further supported by the large amount of the creatures living inside the cave. In fact, three of the five jelly producing species (the three that are the same color as the jelly) can be found here. The strange stalactites formed on the ceiling may be houses or egg pods of sorts.

Phantom Ganon[]

Phantom Ganon

Hylian Language is seen on his sword. If translated it says "Zubora and Gabora", the smithies from The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask. It is possible that Phantom Ganon was a beast from Termina, where he stole the sword from the smithies and fled to Hyrule. He could have been caught breaking Hyrulean law and was banished, in the same place that Ganondorf was imprisoned. Ganondorf could have then adopted the monster and named it "Phantom Ganon" after himself.

Postman Statue[]

Postman Statue

In The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks, a possible cameo of a Postman Statue can be seen. A statue found at the back of the Castle Town Shop bears a striking resemblance to the Postman Statue and could possibly be one. As the item is only on display and cannot be purchased, it remains unconfirmed whether or not this is a Postman Statue.

Princess Zelda[]

Princess Zelda

The relationship Zelda has with Link is close, possibly her closest. A popular theory among fans is that of a romantic relationship between some of the Zelda and Link characters in the Zelda series. Although never explicitly confirmed in a video game title, this theory is based on hints given in the games, interviews with the game creators, and content of the animated series, comics, and manga (although the last three are generally considered non-canonical).

One hint of a romance between Zelda and Link is given at the end of The Adventure of Link, when the awakened Princess apparently kisses Link under the falling curtain.

Some cutscenes in Ocarina of Time featuring the two together have been interpreted as signs of an attraction. While Link and Zelda are escaping Ganon's Castle, Zelda will additionally show her concern for Link by shouting out whenever he is hurt. Moreover, in the game's final scene, Zelda and Link are floating in the sky together, sharing a decidedly sentimental (if not necessarily romantic) moment where Zelda apologies for involving Link in the events of the game and seems saddened by the situation. She also stated that she will not forget the time she spent with him in the Child Timeline as shown in Majora's Mask through Link's memory.

In addition, if the Oracle games are played as sequels to each other, the ultimate ending sequence shows Zelda lightly kissing Link on the cheek. Link swoons while hearts float above the pair's heads, and Zelda looks away, blushing. In The Wind Waker, when Zelda is asked to stay in hiding in Hyrule Castle while Link restores power to the Master Sword, she waves goodbye to Link, asking him to be careful.

Princess Zelda and Link

Spirit Tracks features several moments that can be interpreted romantically. Early in the game during the Graduation Ceremony, Zelda walks into the room in front of Link, who is bowing down respectfully. Link then looks up and gasps, blushing at her in amazement. He is then scolded by Chancellor Cole for raising his head without permission. Later, when Zelda's spirit is separated from her body following the first encounter with Chancellor Cole and Byrne, Link is the only one who can see her besides the Lokomos, demonstrating a clear and strong bond between himself and the Princess. After Zelda and Link defeat Byrne in the Tower of Spirits, Byrne, disbelieving, comments that he was beaten by two humans. Zelda, while still possessing a Phantom, says that when she and Link combine their strength, no one can defeat them. Link turns to her, surprised. The background turns white and Zelda's Lullaby plays as they both laugh and high-five, gazing at each other all the while. Toward the end of the game, before the final battle against Malladus, Zelda is reunited with her body, and is no longer able to levitate. Link runs underneath her to catch her as she falls, and she lands on top of him and knocks them both to the ground as well as knock Link out for a few seconds. Upon awakening, Zelda, overjoyed to have her body back, embraces Link, causing him to blush. Finally, after Malladus is defeated, Zelda and Link watch Anjean and Byrne's spirits ascend to the heavens. The camera then lowers to show Zelda and Link holding hands while Zelda's Lullaby plays in the background. After the credits, a short cut scene shows Zelda gazing at a picture of Link on the Spirit Train with her flying beside him, which she keeps on her desk. she may also wave at Link depending on his answer to a question Zelda asked before.

Skyward Sword has several noticeable romantic moments between Link and Zelda. Early in the game, Zelda wants Link to be the first to see her outfit for the Wing Ceremony. She worries over him and she does not want him to fail at becoming a knight. When Link's Crimson Loftwing is hidden by Groose, Zelda assists Link in finding his Loftwing. After Link wins the Wing Ceremony, Zelda jumps off the ledge and Link catches her almost as if she was expecting him to. She then congratulates him on winning. Afterwards, Zelda mentions that she is very happy to be atop the Statue of the Goddess with him. She also gets extremely close to him and almost implies that the two are to kiss, before she pushes him off the statue. Afterward, Zelda bashfully asks Link to go out flying which they do. She then tells Link how amazing the day was, and that she would remember it forever. At the Temple of Hylia, when Zelda states she must seal herself to keep Demise in place, she sheds tears of sadness and states before all this, she was happy just being with Link on Skyloft, demonstrating a deep level of feelings for Link. Link desperately tries to stop her and when she is sealed, Link lowers his head in sadness, showing his deep feelings for her. Much later in the game, when Link releases Zelda from her sealed state, Link runs up and catches her from falling and both of them hug and walk out smiling at each other, holding hands, before Ghirahim ruins the tender moment. During the ending, Zelda asks what Link will do now. Link sweetly smiles at her while their Loftwings fly off toward the sky, implying that he chose to stay on the Surface to live with Zelda.

A Link Between Worlds features some gossip told to Link by the Rumor Guy. He tells Link that one of the castle staff had seen Zelda sneaking off every night. When she followed her, she saw Zelda staring at the painting in Hyrule Castle depicting the Link and Zelda from A Link to the Past cuddling with each other, implying they became more intimate with each other. This also hints the Zelda in A Link Between Worlds wants to have a similar relationship with the Link of her time.

The game creators also seem to be fond of the idea of romance between the characters.

Though never directly stated in-game, Shigeru Miyamoto revealed in an interview conducted by Famimaga 64 that Navi is jealous of Princess Zelda and has feelings for Link.

Another less popular theory among fans is that Link and Zelda are related by blood, either as siblings or more distantly. Even though rumors to this effect started with the infamous "Save the Princess... Zelda is your... ... ..." line from A Link to the Past (later reported as a mistranslation), the theory generally revolves around the Link and Zelda from Ocarina of Time.

A possible indication of a blood relation between the two in Ocarina of Time is their physical resemblance: they both have blonde hair, blue eyes, and similar facial features. They also have similarly shaped heads. Graphics limitations could be responsible for some of this similarity, however. Certain dialogue could also be perceived as implying a blood relation: the ghost Sharp comments that Link reminds him of Zelda, and that Link "may have some connection with the Royal Family". Link's connection to the Royal Family is highlighted throughout the game, with Link often playing Zelda's Lullaby to verify it. The fact that Impa agrees to teach a strange boy a song only Royal Family members are allowed to know could also be interpreted as a hint at Link's blood relation to Hyrule's Royal Family.

Additionally, Zelda seems to recognize Link's name upon their first meeting. This could be attributed to her prophetic abilities, although the boy in her dreams seemed to be a largely abstract figure, with no defining traits aside from the presence of a guardian Fairy and a Spiritual Stone. This line of dialogue has often been regarded as a sign that the two have met before, although this could only have occurred when Link was a baby per the Deku Tree Sprout's account of Link's coming to Kokiri Forest. It is also worth noting that while the King of Hyrule is clearly identified as Zelda's father, no mention is made of a Queen. Meanwhile, Link's mother is stated to have died shortly after reaching the forest, but no information is given concerning his father. Given these facts, it is possible that Zelda and Link share the same parents, making them siblings.

Red Wizzrobe[]

Red Wizzrobe

The Red Wizzrobe's color scheme may indicate some sort of connection to Carock from Zelda II: The Adventure of Link, possibly indicating that the leaders of Wizzrobes are adorned by a red robe.

ReDead[]

ReDead

"During Ganondorf's dark reign, many evil beings walked the earth, but none were as horrible as the ReDead. These skeletal creatures froze people who strayed too close, then they sucked the life from the unfortunate victims." — Nintendo Power Player's Guide description.

ReDeads (リーデッド Rīdeddo?) are recurring enemies in the Legend of Zelda series. They are highly emaciated, undead humanoid creatures, closely resembling zombies. They are found in dark and distant locations such as Hidden Holes and dungeons. ReDeads are capable of completely halting the movement of their prey with their gaze when they come close; concurrently, they emit blood-curdling screams to terrify their unfortunate victim. They will then close in on their stunned victim, and in most games will attach to them to drain their life energy. ReDeads are considered to be among the most frightening enemies of the Legend of Zelda series.

Origin[]

It is possible that ReDeads were once regular, deceased Hylians who happened to be re-animated through exposure to dark magic, or that they are, like Poes, restless spirits wandering the world of the living. Considering the abundance of ReDeads found in the devastated Hyrule Castle Town of the future, as well as underneath the Kakariko Graveyard and inside the Shadow Temple, this theory seems plausible.

Burial Customs[]

The differences in appearance and habits between the different incarnations of ReDeads may suggest changes in burial customs over the passing of time. ReDeads found in Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask are sometimes encountered underneath graves, and appear to be wearing carved Spooky Masks over their faces. ReDeads found in The Wind Waker are decidedly teal-colored. Since these corpses were all buried below sea level, it is possible they were punished for evil doings, and forced to haunt Hyrule forever.

Spectacle Island[]

Spectacle Island

Interestingly, the shape of the island is similar to that of Spectacle Rock, a recurring location in the Legend of Zelda series. Due to the similarity of their names, it is possible that it is the flooded Spectacle Rock.

Spectacle Rock[]

Spectacle Rock (The Legend of Zelda)

Spectacle Rock, located at the summit of Death Mountain, presumably appears as an island on the Great Sea known as Spectacle Island. The Great Sea, the country in which the game is set, was in truth created when Hyrule was flooded by the Gods. Spectacle Rock, the very top of the tall, tall Death Mountain, is the only surviving landmark of that area. However, there is a conflicting theory that Dragon Roost Island is Death Mountain, due to the ring of smoke seen on Link's first visit there and the fact that it is a volcano, as well as the fact that it is taller than all other Islands in the game.

Spoils Bag[]

Spoils Bag

The design of the Spoils Bag bears striking resemblance to the face of Bogmire from Luigi's Mansion. Because of this, it is possible that the Spoils Bag was inspired by Bogmire.

Split Timeline[]

It is speculated by some that alternate worlds such as the Twilight Realm and Termina may be unaffected by the timeline split. However, while these two realms are alternate dimensions, there is no evidence to support the idea that they exist outside of linear time. Both realms have demonstrated the ability to receive beings from the Child Timeline and return them to the Child Timeline when they exit back into Hyrule. There is no reason to believe that these two realms would only exist as a single timeline, or that they could "prioritize" inputs from one timeline, and later output these into both the timelines.

In addition, the renowned Youtube show, Game Theory, dismissed the Zelda Timeline, particularly the Defeat Timeline (in where Link fails on his quest) on the grounds that "the hero cannot be simultaneously victorious and defeated". Elaborating, he explained that with Link defeating Gannondorf, two perfectly possible timelines are created; However if Link dies at any point in his journey another separate timeline is created. Explaining that the only way for all 3 timelines to exist is the Many Worlds Theory (the theory that all possible pasts and futures exist in separate timelines).

Tetra's Pirate Ship[]

Tetra's Pirate Ship

"I suppose it was just chance that we lost our last Miss when Miss Tetra was still young. Hooo... Fate is cruel, she is. That's why Miss Tetra took over so young. She owes it to her predecessor." — Nudge.

Some fans believe that the female character in the portrait found in Tetra's cabin was the leader of the pirates and the predecessor of Tetra that Nudge talks about, possibly Tetra's Mother.

Tetra's Pirates[]

Tetra's Pirates

It is possible that each crew member is a reincarnation and/or descendant of one of the Royal Family of Hyrule's aides. This is supported by the fact that each person seen with Zelda in the painting found in Hyrule Castle has an almost exact resemblance to a member of the crew. Considering that Tetra is Princess Zelda, a descendant of the Royal Family, and that the pirates are all Hylian despite that race being rare on the Great Sea, it is likely that the pirates could be the successors of the individuals in the aforementioned painting.

Tigle[]

Tingle

A character named Purlo appears in The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess. Purlo is possibly a reference to what Tingle would look like if he was a more realistic character. Purlo is the manager of the STAR Game in Hyrule Castle Town, and he wears a similar costume to Tingle. He is also obsessed with Rupees, much like Tingle. Unlike Tingle though, Purlo has an unfriendly attitude towards others.

Advertisement