Editing The Legend of Zelda (section)

== Plot ==
=== Setting ===
{{Main|Universe of The Legend of Zelda{{!}}Universe of ''The Legend of Zelda''}}
{{Multiple image
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| header = Maps of [[Hyrule]]
| image1 = Hyrule Ocarina of Time.svg
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| caption1 = Map of Hyrule, as seen in ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time|Ocarina of Time]]''
| image2 = BoTW HyruleMapaUbicaciones.jpg
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| caption2 = Map of Hyrule, as seen in ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild|Breath of the Wild]]'' {{Small|(legend in Spanish)}}
}}

''The Legend of Zelda'' takes place predominantly in a [[medieval]] [[Western Europe#Classical antiquity and medieval origins|Western Europe]]-inspired [[fantasy world]] called [[Hyrule]],<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Iwata-Asks/Iwata-Asks-The-Legend-of-Zelda-Ocarina-of-Time-3D/Vol-5-Mr-Shigeru-Miyamoto/5-A-Sword-Sorcery-Tale-Admired-Worldwide/5-A-Sword-Sorcery-Tale-Admired-Worldwide-224778.html |access-date=May 18, 2019 |title=Iwata Asks: A Sword & Sorcery Tale Admired Worldwide |website=Nintendo.co.uk |publisher=Nintendo |last1=Iwata |first1=Satoru |last2=Miyamoto |first2=Shigeru |date=2011 |quote=And I was really happy that we here in Japan could make a medieval tale of sword and sorcery liked by the people of the world. |archive-date=February 1, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210201170356/https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Iwata-Asks/Iwata-Asks-The-Legend-of-Zelda-Ocarina-of-Time-3D/Vol-5-Mr-Shigeru-Miyamoto/5-A-Sword-Sorcery-Tale-Admired-Worldwide/5-A-Sword-Sorcery-Tale-Admired-Worldwide-224778.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Linden |first=Jacob |date=October 13, 2022 |title=Is Link wearing pajamas in A Link to the Past? An investigation |url=https://www.polygon.com/23392291/zelda-link-to-the-past-pajamas |website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |access-date=December 7, 2023 |archive-date=December 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231207232443/https://www.polygon.com/23392291/zelda-link-to-the-past-pajamas |url-status=live}}</ref> which has developed a deep history and wide geography over the series's many releases. Much of the backstory of the creation of Hyrule was revealed in the games ''[[The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past|A Link to the Past]]'', ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time|Ocarina of Time]]'', ''[[The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker|The Wind Waker]]'', ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess|Twilight Princess]]'', ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword|Skyward Sword]]'', and ''[[The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds|A Link Between Worlds]]''. Hyrule's principal inhabitants are pointy-eared, [[elf]]-like humanoids called [[Hylian]]s, which include the [[player character]], Link, and the eponymous princess, Zelda.

The fictional universe established by the ''Zelda'' games sets the stage for each adventure. Some games take place in different lands with their own back-stories. [[The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes#Setting|Hytopia]] is a connected kingdom,<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.facebook.com/NintendoHandheldGaming/photos/a.150955828309750.40686.149152295156770/953796588025666/ | url-status=bot: unknown | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231108180858/https://www.facebook.com/NintendoHandheldGaming/photos/a.150955828309750.40686.149152295156770/953796588025666/ | archive-date=November 8, 2023 | title=Most games in The Legend of Zelda series have a connection to Hyrule. Does the land of Hytopia connect to Hyrule in any way? | publisher=Nintendo | access-date=July 20, 2016}}</ref> [[Labrynna]] and [[Holodrum]] are different countries separate from the Kingdom of Hyrule, [[The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask#Setting and characters|Termina]] and [[The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds#Setting|Lorule]] serve as parallel worlds,<ref name="MANUALmajoramask">{{Cite book | editor=[[Nintendo]] | title=The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask manual | year=2000 | publisher=Nintendo | page= 6}}</ref> and [[Koholint]] is an island far away from Hyrule that appears to be part of a dream.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.zelda.com/universe/pedia/k.jsp#KoholintIsland | title=The Great Hyrule Encyclopedia (K) | publisher=Nintendo | access-date=June 7, 2009 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090326064241/http://zelda.com/universe/pedia/k.jsp#KoholintIsland | archive-date=March 26, 2009 | df=mdy-all}}</ref>

=== Story ===
<!-- NOTE: Do not include timeline theories. Please only make changes when verified and cited by reliable sources (including interviews to the games' directors, writers and producers). Keep in mind that when citing the game itself, specific dialogue must be included. -->
[[File:Trifuerza.svg|left|thumb|upright=1|The [[Triforce]] is represented as three conjoined golden triangles.]]

According to the in-game backstories, the world of Hyrule was created by the three [[Recurring characters in The Legend of Zelda series#Golden Goddesses|golden goddesses]]: Din, Farore, and Nayru.<ref name="QUOTEmyth">{{cite video game|title=The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time|developer=[[Nintendo]]|publisher=Nintendo|date=November 21, 1998|platform=[[Nintendo 64]]|quote='''Great Deku Tree''': Before time began, before spirits and life existed... Three golden goddesses descended upon the chaos that was Hyrule... Din, the Goddess of Power... Nayru, the Goddess of Wisdom... Farore, the Goddess of Courage... Din... With her strong flaming arms, she cultivated the land and created the red earth. Nayru... Poured her wisdom onto the earth and gave the spirit of law to the world. Farore... With her rich soul, produced all life forms who would uphold the law.}}</ref> Before departing, the goddesses left a sacred artifact called the [[Triforce]], which could grant powers to the user. It physically manifests itself as three golden triangles in which each embodies one of the goddesses' virtues: Power, Courage, and Wisdom.<ref name="HyruleHistoria1">{{cite book |author=Shigeru Miyamoto, Eiji Aonuma |title=The Legend of Zelda: Hyrule Historia |date=January 29, 2013 |publisher=Dark Horse |isbn=978-1616550417 |location=Milwaukie, Oregon |page=76}}</ref> However, because the Triforce has no will of its own and it can not judge between good and evil, it will grant any wish indiscriminately.<ref name="QUOTEwish">{{cite video game|title=The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time|developer=[[Nintendo]]|publisher=Nintendo|date=November 21, 1998|platform=[[Nintendo 64]]|quote='''Zelda''': If someone with a righteous heart makes a wish, it will lead Hyrule into a golden age of prosperity. If one with an evil mind has his wish granted, the world will be consumed by evil... That is what is foretold...}}</ref><ref name="HyruleHistoria2">{{cite book |author=Shigeru Miyamoto, Eiji Aonuma |title=The Legend of Zelda: Hyrule Historia |date=January 29, 2013 |publisher=Dark Horse |isbn=978-1616550417 |location=Milwaukie, Oregon |page=70}}</ref> Because of this, it was placed within an alternate world called the "Sacred Realm" or the "Golden Land" until one worthy of its power and has balanced virtues of Power, Wisdom, and Courage in their heart could obtain it, in its entirety. If a person is not of a balanced heart, the triforce part that the user mostly believes in will stay with that person and the remainder will seek out others. In order to master and control the triforce as a whole, the user must get the other parts found in other individuals and bring them together to reunite them. The Sacred Realm can itself be affected by the heart of those who enter it: those who are pure will make it a paradise, while those who are evil will transform it into a dark realm.<ref name="QUOTEsacred_realm">{{cite video game|title=The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time|developer=[[Nintendo]]|publisher=Nintendo|date=November 21, 1998|platform=[[Nintendo 64]]|quote='''Sheik''': The resting place of the sacred triangle, the Sacred Realm, is a mirror that reflects what is in the heart...the heart of one who enters it... If an evil heart, the Realm will become full of evil; if pure, the Realm will become a paradise.}}</ref>

In ''Skyward Sword'', the Triforce was sought by the Demon King Demise,<ref name="QUOTElust">{{cite video game|title=The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword|developer=[[Nintendo]]|publisher=Nintendo|date=November 18, 2011|platform=[[Wii]]|quote='''Zelda''': In his thirst to make the world his own, Demise readied a massive army of monsters for war. He sought to take the Triforce for himself by force.}}</ref> an eternal being that had conquered time itself.<ref name="QUOTEtime">{{cite video game|title=The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword|developer=[[Nintendo]]|publisher=Nintendo|date=November 18, 2011|platform=[[Wii]]|quote='''Fi''': This eternal being has conquered time itself. It is the source of all monsters.}}</ref> After a long battle against the goddess Hylia, guardian of the Triforce, Demise was sealed away within her temple.<ref name="HyruleHistoria1" /><ref name="QUOTEhylia">{{cite video game|title=The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time|developer=[[Nintendo]]|publisher=Nintendo|date=November 21, 1998|platform=[[Nintendo 64]]|quote='''Introduction''': Handed down by the gods of old, this power gave its holder the means to make any desire a reality. Such was the might of the ultimate power that the old ones placed it in the care of the goddess.}}</ref> Hylia, placing the Hylians on a floating island in the sky called Skyloft to protect them, orchestrated a means to stop the demon from escaping: creating the Goddess Sword (later becoming the Master Sword) for her chosen hero<ref name="QUOTEsword">{{cite video game|title=The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword|developer=[[Nintendo]]|publisher=Nintendo|date=November 18, 2011|platform=[[Wii]]|quote='''Zelda''': She made the spirit that resides in your sword to serve a single purpose: to assist her chosen hero on his mission.}}</ref> and discarding her divinity to be reborn among the people of Skyloft.<ref name="QUOTEreincanration">{{cite video game|title=The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword|developer=[[Nintendo]]|publisher=Nintendo|date=November 18, 2011|platform=[[Wii]]|quote='''Zelda''': Knowing this power was her last and only hope, the goddess gave up her divine powers and her immortal form.}}</ref> In time, Zelda and Link (the reborn Hylia and her predestined warrior) enacted the goddess's plan and Demise was destroyed, but he vowed that his rage would be reborn and forever plague those descended from Link and Zelda.<ref name="QUOTEdemise">{{cite video game|title=The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword|developer=[[Nintendo]]|publisher=Nintendo|date=November 18, 2011|platform=[[Wii]]|quote='''Demise''': I will rise again. Those like you... Those who share the blood of the goddess and the spirit of the hero... They are eternally bound to this curse. An incarnation of my hatred shall ever follow your kind, dooming them to wander a blood-soaked sea of darkness for all time!}}</ref> Following the establishment of Hyrule Kingdom, Demise's prophecy came to fruition in ''Ocarina of Time'', when Ganondorf's attempt to get the Triforce scattered it with him gaining the Triforce of Power. The Triforce of Wisdom ended up with the Hylian princesses descended from Zelda, each named after her, while the Triforce of Courage is passed to a youth named Link across generations. While the Triforces of Power and Wisdom have been part of the series since the original ''[[The Legend of Zelda (video game)|The Legend of Zelda]]'', it was in ''[[Zelda II: The Adventure of Link]]'' that the Triforce of Courage was introduced, being obtained by Link at the end of his quest. The Triforce, or even a piece of it, is not always distributed as a whole. Such as in ''The Wind Waker'', Link must find all the pieces (called Triforce Shards) of the Triforce of Courage before he can return to Hyrule. Even in the original ''The Legend of Zelda'', Zelda breaks her Triforce of Wisdom into eight pieces for Link to find, before she was captured by Ganon.

==== Fictional chronology ====
{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible floatright"
|+ ''The Legend of Zelda'' story chronology<ref name="Timeline">{{Cite web|title=The official home for The Legend of Zelda - About|url=https://www.zelda.com/about|website=The official home for The Legend of Zelda - About|language=en-US|access-date=2020-06-01|archive-date=June 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200619112704/https://www.zelda.com/about/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="TimelineUpdate">{{cite web |last=Wong |first=Alistair |date=August 5, 2018 |title=The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild Has Been Added To The Series' Official Timeline |url=https://www.siliconera.com/the-legend-of-zelda-breath-of-the-wild-has-been-added-to-the-series-official-timeline/ |access-date=7 December 2022 |work=Siliconera |archive-date=December 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221208024711/https://www.siliconera.com/the-legend-of-zelda-breath-of-the-wild-has-been-added-to-the-series-official-timeline/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
| colspan="3" scope="rowgroup" | {{Unbulleted list center
  | ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword|Skyward Sword]]''
  | ''[[The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap|The Minish Cap]]''
  | ''[[The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past and Four Swords|Four Swords]]''
  | ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time|Ocarina of Time]]''
  }}
|- 
! rowspan="2" scope="col" | The Hero is Defeated
! colspan="2" scope="colgroup" | The Hero is Victorious
|-
! scope="col" | Child Era
! scope="col" | Adult Era
|-
| style="vertical-align: top;" | {{Unbulleted list center
  | ''[[The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past|A Link to the Past]]''
  | ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening|Link's Awakening]]''
  | [[The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons and Oracle of Ages|''Oracle of Seasons'' & ''Ages'']]
  | ''[[The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds|A Link Between Worlds]]''
  | ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes|Tri Force Heroes]]''
  | ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom|Echoes of Wisdom]]''
  | ''[[The Legend of Zelda (video game)|The Legend of Zelda]]''
  | ''[[Zelda II: The Adventure of Link|The Adventure of Link]]''
  }}
| style="vertical-align: top;" | {{Unbulleted list center
  | ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask|Majora's Mask]]''
  | ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess|Twilight Princess]]''
  | ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures|Four Swords Adventures]]''
  }}
| style="vertical-align: top;" | {{Unbulleted list center
  | ''[[The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker|The Wind Waker]]''
  | ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass|Phantom Hourglass]]''
  | ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks|Spirit Tracks]]''
  }}
|-
| colspan="3" scope="rowgroup" | {{Unbulleted list center
  | ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild|Breath of the Wild]]''
  | ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom|Tears of the Kingdom]]''
  }}
|}
The chronology of the ''Legend of Zelda'' series was a subject of much debate among fans until an official timeline was released within the ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Hyrule Historia|Hyrule Historia]]'' collector's book, first released in Japan in December 2011.<ref name="Official Legend of Zelda Timeline Revealed">{{cite web |date=December 22, 2011 |title=Official Legend of Zelda Timeline Revealed |url=http://gamecrunch.co/2011/12/22/official-legend-of-zelda-timeline-revealed/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426070944/http://gamecrunch.co/2011/12/22/official-legend-of-zelda-timeline-revealed/ |archive-date=April 26, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Fred Dutton |date=May 3, 2010 |title=Zelda Timeline Explained |url=http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/16596/features/zelda-timeline-explained/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141031155115/http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/16596/features/zelda-timeline-explained/ |archive-date=October 31, 2014 |access-date=March 2, 2015 |work=Official Nintendo Magazine |publisher=Future Publishing Limited}}</ref> Prior to its release, in a 2003 interview, series creator [[Shigeru Miyamoto]] confirmed the existence of an internal document which connected all the games, with series producer [[Eiji Aonuma]] later revealing in 2010 the confidential nature of this document, which only Miyamoto himself and the director of each game had access to.<ref>{{cite journal |date=March 2003 |title=Shigeru Miyamoto Interview |url=http://www.miyamotoshrine.com/theman/interviews/230403.shtml |url-status=dead |journal=Super PLAY |language=sv |publisher=Medströms Dataförlag AB |issue=4/03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120208160357/http://www.miyamotoshrine.com/theman/interviews/230403.shtml |archive-date=February 8, 2012 |access-date=September 24, 2006}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Long |first1=Neil |last2=Scullion |first2=Chris |title=Game On – The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword |journal=[[Official Nintendo Magazine]] |publisher=[[Future Publishing Limited]] |issue=July 2010 |page=51}}</ref>

In-game content, marketing material, and developer statements once partially established a timeline of the released installments: the original ''The Legend of Zelda'' was followed by ''Zelda II: The Adventure of Link'' as a direct sequel, which takes place several years later;<ref>{{cite video game|title=The Legend of Zelda 2: Link no Bōken|developer=Nintendo EAD|publisher=Nintendo Co., Ltd|date=January 14, 1987|platform=Famicom Disk System|quote=Several years after Gannon was destroyed, Link learns from Impa about another sleeping Princess Zelda.}}</ref><ref>{{cite video game|title=Zelda II: The Adventure of Link|developer=Nintendo EAD|publisher=Nintendo of America, Inc|date=December 1988|platform=Nintendo Entertainment System|quote=After Ganon was destroyed, Impa told Link a sleeping spell was cast on Princess Zelda.}}</ref> ''A Link to the Past'' is a prequel to the previous two games,<ref>{{cite web |date=November 21, 1991 |title=Zelda no Densetsu: Kamigami no Triforce – Back Cover |url=http://www.mobygames.com/game/legend-of-zelda-a-link-to-the-past/cover-art/gameCoverId,51140/ |access-date=June 10, 2010 |publisher=Nintendo Co., Ltd. (via [[MobyGames]]) |language=ja |quote=今度の舞台はリンクが活躍した頃よりも遥か昔、ハイラルが、まだ一つの王国であった時代。/ This time, the stage is set a long time before Link's exploits, an era when Hyrule was still one kingdom. |archive-date=January 11, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120111044754/http://www.mobygames.com/game/legend-of-zelda-a-link-to-the-past/cover-art/gameCoverId,51140/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=April 13, 1992 |title=The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past – Back Cover |url=http://www.mobygames.com/game/legend-of-zelda-a-link-to-the-past/cover-art/gameCoverId,13522/ |access-date=June 10, 2010 |publisher=Nintendo of America, Inc. (via [[MobyGames]]) |quote=The predecessors of Link and Zelda face monsters on the march when a menacing magician takes over the kingdom. |archive-date=August 13, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090813141938/http://www.mobygames.com/game/legend-of-zelda-a-link-to-the-past/cover-art/gameCoverId,13522/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="miyamoto99timeline">{{cite journal |date=January 1999 |title=Dengeki Nintendo 64 |journal=Dengeki Nintendo 64 |publisher=MediaWorks, Inc. |quote='''Shigeru Miyamoto:''' (時オカ→神トラ)それから初代ときてリンクの冒険という順番になる。/ ''Ocarina of Time'', ''A Link to the Past'', then comes the original one and ''The Adventure of Link'' in turn.}}</ref> and is followed by ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening|Link's Awakening]]'';<ref>Nintendo, ed (1993). The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening instruction manual. Nintendo. pp. 3–4. "Though you fulfilled the Hyrulian prophecy of the Legendary Hero and destroyed the evil tyrant Ganon, the land of Hyrule enjoyed only a precarious peace. "Who knows what threats may arise from Ganon's ashes?" the restless people murmured as they knitted their brows and shook their heads. Ever vigilant, you decided to journey away from Hyrule on a quest for enlightenment, in search of wisdom that would make you better able to withstand the next threat to your homeland".</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Zeldaの伝説 プロローグ |url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/n02/dmg/azlj/sutori.html |access-date=June 10, 2010 |publisher=Nintendo Co., Ltd |archive-date=May 11, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110511125122/http://www.nintendo.co.jp/n02/dmg/azlj/sutori.html |url-status=live}}</ref> ''Ocarina of Time'' is a prequel to ''A Link to the Past'' and takes the story many centuries back - according to character designer Satoru Takizawa, it was meant to implicitly tell the story of the Imprisoning War,<ref>{{cite book |title=The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past Instruction Booklet |date=April 13, 1992 |publisher=Nintendo of America, Inc |pages=5–6 |quote=Many centuries have passed since the Imprisoning War.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=November 26, 1998 |title=「ゼルダの伝説時のオカリナ」の情報･産地直送! |trans-title=The story this time is not truly original, it is from the previous SNES version and tells of the "Seal War of the Seven Sages". |url=http://www.1101.com/nintendo/nin1/nin1-6.htm |access-date=June 9, 2010 |publisher=Hobo Nikkan Itoi Shinbun |quote='''Satoru Takizawa:''' 今回のストーリーは本当のオリジナルではなくって、前作のスーパーファミコンに出てきた「七賢者の封印戦争」を扱っているんだ |archive-date=October 29, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101029202714/http://www.1101.com/nintendo/nin1/nin1-6.htm |url-status=live}}</ref> and was followed by ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask|Majora's Mask]]'' as a direct sequel, set a few months later;<ref>{{Cite web |title=新しい「ゼルダ」の世界 |trans-title=The new world of Zelda |url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/n01/n64/software/nus_p_nzsj/normal/newworld/index.html |access-date=2023-01-16 |website=Nintendo |language=ja |quote="舞台は、前作『時のオカリナ』での活躍から数ヶ月後の世界。" ["The setting is a few months after his success in the previous work 'Ocarina of Time'."] |archive-date=January 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230116130420/https://www.nintendo.co.jp/n01/n64/software/nus_p_nzsj/normal/newworld/index.html |url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past and Four Swords|Four Swords]]'', upon its release, was considered the oldest tale in the series's chronology, predating ''Ocarina of Time'';<ref name=":2">{{cite web |author=Billy Berghammer |date=May 17, 2004 |title=A Legend Of Zelda: The Eiji Aonuma Interview |url=http://www.gameinformer.com/News/Story/200405/N04.0517.1915.59084.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080507222207/http://www.gameinformer.com/News/Story/200405/N04.0517.1915.59084.htm |archive-date=May 7, 2008 |access-date=November 11, 2009 |work=Game Informer Online |url-status=dead |publisher=Game Informer Magazine}}</ref> ''The Wind Waker'' takes place in one of the parallel timelines that emerged from ''Ocarina of Time'', more than a century later, in the "adult era";<ref name="nindori">{{cite web |date=Feb 2007 |title=Long interview with Eiji Aonuma |url=http://www.nindori.com/interview/154zelda/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070127032000/http://www.nindori.com/interview/154zelda/index.html |archive-date=January 27, 2007 |access-date=June 4, 2010 |work=nindori.com |publisher=Nintendo DREAM |quote=『時のオカリナ』から百数年後の世界です。 ... 『風のタクト』はパラレルなんですよ。『時のオカリナ』でリンクが7年後の世界に飛んで、ガノンを倒すと、子ども時代に戻るじゃないですか。『トワイライトプリンセス』は、平和になった子ども時代から百数年後の世界なんです。/ It is a world 100 and something years after ''Ocarina of Time''.&nbsp;... ''The Wind Waker'' is parallel. In ''Ocarina of Time'', Link leaps to a world seven years later, defeats Ganon, and then returns to the child era, right? ''Twilight Princess'' is the world 100 and something years after peace is restored in the child era.}}</ref><ref name="gameproint">{{cite magazine |author=Fennec Fox |date=December 6, 2002 |title=Interview With Nintendo's Shigeru Miyamoto and Eiji Aonuma |url=http://www.gamepro.com/article/news/27362/interview-with-nintendos-shigeru-miyamoto-and-eiji-aonuma/ |magazine=GamePro |publisher=GamePro Media |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100728123041/http://www.gamepro.com/article/news/27362/interview-with-nintendos-shigeru-miyamoto-and-eiji-aonuma/ |archive-date=July 28, 2010 |access-date=May 30, 2010}}</ref> ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures|Four Swords Adventures]]'', upon its release, was considered to be a direct sequel to ''Four Swords'', set sometime after its events;<ref name=":2" /> ''[[The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap|The Minish Cap]]'' is a prequel to ''Four Swords'', telling of the origins of villain Vaati and the creation of the Four Sword;<ref>{{cite web |date=November 17, 2004 |title=Zelda: The interview! |url=http://www.nintendo-europe.com/NOE/en/GB/editorial/article.do?elementId=tsSRlh1e8PvXMtWScR8tLxG9BXLNxXCM |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012120133/http://www.landofthelegend.net/Hyrule/?grab=int-noa-eiji-tmc |archive-date=October 12, 2007 |access-date=May 30, 2010 |publisher=Nintendo of Europe GmbH |quote='''NoE:''' How does the ''Minish Cap'' fit into the Zelda chronology? Is it a prequel to the upcoming ''The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures'' on GameCube? '''Aonuma:''' Yes, this title takes place prior to ''The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures'', and tells the secret of the birth of the Four Sword.}}</ref> ''Twilight Princess'' takes place in another of the parallel timelines that emerged from ''Ocarina of Time'', more than a century later, in the "child era";<ref name="nindori" /><ref name="gameproint" /> ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass|Phantom Hourglass]]'' is a direct sequel to ''The Wind Waker'',<ref>{{cite web |title=The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass |url=http://zelda.com/universe/game/phantomhourglass/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100430172315/http://zelda.com/universe/game/phantomhourglass/ |archive-date=April 30, 2010 |access-date=June 10, 2010 |work=Zelda Universe |publisher=Nintendo of America, Inc |df=mdy-all}}</ref> and is followed by ''[[Spirit Tracks]]'', which is set about a century later on a land far away from the setting of ''The Wind Waker''.<ref>{{cite web |last=Walton |first=Mark |date=November 20, 2009 |title=The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks Eiji Aonuma Interview |url=http://www.gamespot.com/videos/the-legend-of-zelda-spirit-tracks-eiji-aonuma-inte/2300-6240923/ |access-date=May 30, 2010 |work=[[GameSpot]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |quote='''Eiji Aonuma:''' Yes, it is actually a sequel and it is taking place about 100 years after the world of the game ''Phantom Hourglass''. |archive-date=July 5, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150705170010/http://www.gamespot.com/videos/the-legend-of-zelda-spirit-tracks-eiji-aonuma-inte/2300-6240923/ |url-status=live}}</ref> ''Skyward Sword'' precedes ''The Minish Cap'', telling the story of the creation of the Master Sword.<ref>{{cite journal |author=Neil Long, Chris Scullion |title=Game On – The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword |journal=Official Nintendo Magazine |publisher=Future Publishing Limited |issue=July 2010 |page=51 |quote='''Eiji Aonuma:''' I have already talked to Mr. Miyamoto about this so I am comfortable in releasing this information – this title [''Skyward Sword''] takes place before ''Ocarina of Time''.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2011-07-23 |title=Aonuma Opens a Treasure Chest of Skyward Sword Details |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2011/07/aonuma_opens_a_treasure_chest_of_skyward_sword_details |last=Kaplan |first=Zach |access-date=2023-01-16 |website=Nintendo Life |language=en-GB |archive-date=January 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230116130420/https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2011/07/aonuma_opens_a_treasure_chest_of_skyward_sword_details |url-status=live}}</ref> ''A Link Between Worlds'' takes place six generations after ''A Link to the Past'', and features the Triforce being reunited, and Ganon being resurrected;<ref name="ALBWtimeline">{{cite web |author=Jose Otero |date=August 7, 2013 |title=New Details for The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds |url=http://uk.ign.com/articles/2013/08/07/nintendo-reveals-new-details-for-a-link-between-worlds |access-date=August 7, 2013 |website=IGN |archive-date=February 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200217153330/https://uk.ign.com/articles/2013/08/07/nintendo-reveals-new-details-for-a-link-between-worlds |url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes|Tri Force Heroes]]'' is a direct sequel to ''A Link Between Worlds'', which takes place several years later;<ref>{{Cite web |last=Carter |first=Chris |date=2015-10-23 |title=Zelda: Tri Force Heroes is in the same timeline as A Link Between Worlds |url=https://www.destructoid.com/zelda-tri-force-heroes-is-in-the-same-timeline-as-a-link-between-worlds/ |access-date=2023-01-16 |website=Destructoid |language=en-US |archive-date=January 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230116130420/https://www.destructoid.com/zelda-tri-force-heroes-is-in-the-same-timeline-as-a-link-between-worlds/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite tweet |author=Nintendo of America |date=2015-10-23 |title=Fans asked the developers of #Zelda: Tri Force Heroes: "Where does the game fall in the series timeline?" |user=nintendoamerica |number=657330612064399360 |access-date=2023-01-16 |language=en |quote=The game takes place several years after ''A Link Between Worlds'' and features the same hero. |archive-date=March 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230315115308/https://twitter.com/NintendoAmerica/status/657330612064399360 |url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild|Breath of the Wild]]'' and its direct sequel, ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom|Tears of the Kingdom]]'' take place after all previous games in the series, without specifying a direct connection to any of the three timeline branches.<ref name="TimelineUpdate" />

In the early 2000s, Nintendo of America released a timeline on the official website of the series as one of the possible interpretation of the events from all entries released up to that point, featuring a single protagonist named Link, the "Hero of Time" from its first adventure in ''Ocarina of Time''. It was followed by ''Majora's Mask'', ''A Link to the Past'', ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons|Oracle of Seasons]]'', ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages|Oracle of Ages]]'', the original ''The Legend of Zelda'', ''Zelda II: The Adventure of Link'', and finally ''Link's Awakening''.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Library: Hall of Time |url=http://www.zelda.com/lib_timeline.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021002111625/http://www.zelda.com/lib_timeline.html |archive-date=October 2, 2002 |publisher=[[Nintendo|Nintendo of America, Inc]]}}</ref> In 2011, series translator [[Daniel Owsen]] revealed that, at one point, his coworkers at Nintendo of America and him conceived another complete timeline and intended to make it available online, but the Japanese series developers rejected the idea so that the placement of each game would be kept open to the imagination of the players.<ref>{{cite web |author=East, Thomas |date=May 23, 2011 |title=Ocarina writer wanted to put Zelda timeline online |url=http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/26468/ocarina-writer-wanted-to-put-zelda-timeline-online/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141009165651/http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/26468/ocarina-writer-wanted-to-put-zelda-timeline-online/ |archive-date=October 9, 2014 |access-date=March 2, 2015 |work=[[Official Nintendo Magazine]] |publisher=[[Future Publishing Limited]]}}</ref>

On December 21, 2011, to celebrate 25th anniversary of the series, ''The Legend of Zelda: Hyrule Historia'' [[art book]] was published by [[Shogakukan]], which contained an official timeline of the fictional chronology of the series up to that point.<ref name="Official Legend of Zelda Timeline Revealed" /> This timeline subsequently posits that following ''Ocarina of Time'', it splits into three alternate routes: in one, Ganon is not defeated, leading into the Imprisoning War and ''A Link to the Past'', ''Oracle of Seasons'' and ''Oracle of Ages'', ''Link's Awakening'' (''A Link Between Worlds'', ''Tri Force Heroes'', and ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom|Echoes of Wisdom]]'' were released after the timeline), ''The Legend of Zelda'' and ''The Adventure of Link''. The second and third, where Ganon is defeated by Link, lead to a split timeline between his childhood (where Zelda sends him back in time so he can use the wisdom he has gained to warn young Zelda of the horrifying fate of Hyrule) and adulthood (where adult Zelda lives on to try and rebuild her kingdom). His childhood continues with ''Majora's Mask'', followed by ''Twilight Princess'' and ''Four Swords Adventures''. The timeline from his adult life continues into ''Wind Waker'', ''Phantom Hourglass'' and ''Spirit Tracks''.<ref name="Official Legend of Zelda Timeline Revealed" />

In 2018, Nintendo revealed ''Breath of the Wild''{{'}}s timeline placement after all previous games in the series, without specifying a connection to any of the three timeline branches. Aonuma and ''Breath of the Wild'' director Hidemaro Fujibayashi justified the vague placement with the previous idea of keeping it open to players' imaginations.<ref name="TimelineUpdate" /> Nintendo moved ''Link's Awakening'' to take place before ''Oracle of Seasons'' and ''Oracle of Ages''.<ref name="TimelineUpdate" /> In 2020, Nintendo released ''[[Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity]]'', a gameplay-wise sequel to the 2014 spin-off game ''[[Hyrule Warriors]]'' marketed as a prequel to ''Breath of the Wild'', being set 100 years before the latter game,<ref name=":1" /> but with the events of ''Age of Calamity'' diverging from the backstory established in ''Breath of the Wild'', creating an alternate timeline separate from it.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-11-21 |title=Hyrule Warriors Has Split The Zelda Timeline (Again) |url=https://screenrant.com/zelda-age-calamity-breath-wild-timeline-split-ganon/ |access-date=2021-04-27 |website=ScreenRant |language=en-US |archive-date=April 25, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210425042456/https://screenrant.com/zelda-age-calamity-breath-wild-timeline-split-ganon/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Characters ===
{{Main|Characters of The Legend of Zelda{{!}}Characters of ''The Legend of Zelda''}}

==== Link ====
{{Main|Link (The Legend of Zelda){{!}}Link (''The Legend of Zelda'')}}
The central protagonist of ''The Legend of Zelda'' series, Link is the name of various young male Hylians who characteristically wear a green tunic and a pointed cap, and are the bearers of the Triforce of Courage. In most games, the player can give Link a different name before the start of the adventure, and he will be referred by that given name throughout by the [[non-player character]]s (NPCs). Miyamoto said in a 2002 interview that he named the protagonist "Link" because the character is/was supposed to be the "link" between the player and the game world. The various Links each have a special title, such as "Hero of Time", "Hero of Winds" or "Hero of the Wild". Like many [[silent protagonist]]s in video games, Link does not speak and only produces grunts, yells, and similar sounds, but he is not mute - dialogue from him is referenced second-hand by in-game characters, despite not being seen or heard by the player. Link is depicted as a silent protagonist so that the audience is able to have their own thoughts as to how their Link would answer the characters instead of him having scripted responses.

==== Princess Zelda ====
{{Main|Princess Zelda}}
Princess Zelda is the princess of Hyrule and the guardian of the Triforce of Wisdom. Her name is present in many of her female ancestors and descendants. While most games require Link to save Zelda from Ganon, she sometimes plays a supporting role in battle, using magical powers and weapons such as Light Arrows to aid Link. With the exception of the CD-i games, she was not playable in the main series until ''Spirit Tracks'', where she becomes a spirit and can possess a Phantom Knight that can be controlled by the player. Zelda appears under various other [[aliases]] and [[alter egos]], including [[Sheik (Zelda)|Sheik]] (in ''Ocarina of Time'') and [[Tetra (Zelda)|Tetra]] (in ''The Wind Waker'' and ''Phantom Hourglass''). In ''Skyward Sword'', it is revealed that the Zelda of that game is a reincarnation of the goddess Hylia, whose power flows through the royal bloodline. The name "Zelda" derives from the American novelist [[Zelda Fitzgerald]].<ref>{{cite web|last1=Mowatt|first1=Todd|title=In the Game: Nintendo's Shigeru Miyamoto|url=https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/feature/-/117177/|website=[[Amazon.com]]|access-date=September 7, 2015|archive-date=July 5, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190705012811/https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/feature/-/117177/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==== Ganon ====
{{Main|Ganon}}
Ganon, also known as Ganondorf in his humanoid form, is the main antagonist and the final boss in the majority of ''The Legend of Zelda'' games. In the series, Ganondorf is the leader of a race of desert brigands called the [[Gerudo]], which consists entirely of female warriors save for one man born every one hundred years. He is significantly taller than other human NPCs, but his looks vary between games, often taking the form of a monstrous anthropomorphic boar. His specific motives vary from game to game, but most often his plans include him kidnapping Princess Zelda and planning to achieve domination of Hyrule and presumably the world beyond it. To this end, he seeks the Triforce, a powerful magical relic. He often possesses a portion of the Triforce called the Triforce of Power, which gives him great strength, but it is often not enough to accomplish his ends, leading him to hunt the remaining Triforce pieces. Unlike Link, Zelda, and most other recurring characters, he is actually the same person in every game, with the exception of ''Four Swords Adventures'', where he is a reincarnation of the original. In each game the battles with him are different and he fights using different styles. The game ''Skyward Sword'' indicates that Ganon is a reincarnation of an evil deity known as Demise.