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The Legend of Zelda franchise has told the tale of Link, Zelda, and Ganon countless times and people have speculated on whether or not all the games fit in one cohesive timeline. Until Nintendo confirmed that that is the case in an official Nintendo book, Hyrule Historia. Since this is one of my favorite Nintendo series, I’ve decided to explain its timelines in an article. This story will cover the origins of the game’s tales, to the most recent releases. In 2007, producer Eiji Aonuma confirmed the existence of two parallel timelines branching from Ocarina of Time, now officially named the Child Timeline and Adult Timeline. With the release, Hyrule Historia brought a third branch named the Fallen Hero Timeline. Let’s get into these games and the 37 years we’ve all been familiar with. The Zelda Timeline is as legendary as the supposed character. The games are connected by one of the most convoluted and intricate timelines in game development. Even with the help of Nintendo’s Hyrule Historia, understanding the timeline in depth is a quest by itself.
Thousands of Years Before Ocarina of Time.
The world was created out of chaos by three goddesses, Din, the Goddess of Power, Nayru, the Goddess of Wisdom, and Farore, the Goddess of Courage. With their work done, the three goddesses left. But for unknown reasons, an ancient artifact was left behind. This is known as the Triforce. It is said that this all-powerful artifact can grant anyone’s wish who merely touches it. As long as they have the balance of the three virtues. Power, Wisdom, and Courage. If the would-be possessor does not have this balance, the Triforce will dissolve. Leaving the finder with whichever piece they most embodied. Two individuals will be chosen by the gods to possess the other two pieces. The power of the Triforce is much greater if all three pieces are united. However, this artifact does not distinguish between good and evil.
Immediately Thereafter. – Era of The Goddess Hylia.
After some time, the Demon King Demise arises and wants to obtain the Triforce for himself. He gathers an army and wages a battle against Hylia to take the Triforce. To ensure their survival, Hylia gathers the remaining humans and the Triforce onto land where she descends to the sky. This land would appropriately become known as Skyloft. Hylia and the remaining surface tribes defeat Demise and seal him away in a temple on The Isle of the Goddess. However, the seal isn’t strong. This leads to the goddess being unable to use the Triforce. Hylia then entrusts Impa of the Sheikah Tribe with safeguarding the sealed grounds. A role that would be passed down through several generations. Hylia would be then reborn as a human by the name of Zelda.
Decades After Sky Era. – Skyward Sword.
Generations pass and Skyloft thrives. On the 25th Anniversary of their Knight Academy, Link passes a test. But Zelda is then dragged to the surface by the Demon Lord Ghirahim (Geer-ah-him) who is a follower of Demise and has been scattering demons across the surface. Link is then visited by the Spirit of The Goddess Sword Fi who informs him that he is Hylia’s chosen hero. Impa meanwhile helps Zelda. After a complicated period, Link then defeats Demise. But not before the Demon King lays a curse. A repeating cycle in which the Demon King would be reincarnated, and a special hatred for the blood of the goddess, as well as for the spirit of the hero. Demise is then sealed with the Master Sword’s pedestal inside its temple. Zelda then moves to the surface to protect the Triforce.
The Era of Chaos.
The surface then becomes known as Hyrule. Many years of peace pass. But legends of the power of the Triforce incite an era of chaos and anarchy. To protect the Triforce, the Sage of Light Rauru makes himself the Guardian of the Light Temple in the Sacred Realm, and then places the Triforce inside of the temple. Rauru seals the realm off from Hyrule. Placing the only entrance in a new Temple of Time which he built over the sealed ruins. He closes off the Master Sword behind the Door of Time, then scatters the keys.
Era of Prosperity.
Rauru’s one-man plan works. Zelda’s descendants established the Kingdom of Hyrule and declared themselves as the royal family. Their castle is then built around the Temple of Time to protect the Triforce.
Force Era. – The Minish Cap.
Hyrule is then suddenly overwhelmed by evil. But a Picori descends from the sky and gives the Hero of Man a Picori Blade in the form of the Light Force. The Demon King is then sealed away in the Bound Chest which is secured tight by the Picori Blade. Zelda internalizes the Light Force. One hundred years later, a mage named Vaati opens the chest and breaks the Picori Blade. Hoping to find the Light Force, evil is then released. As a result, a stone curse is placed on Zelda. This curse can only be broken with the Picori Blade. Because the blade is broken, it can only be fixed by the Picori. However, the Picori can only be seen by children. A Blacksmith volunteers his young apprentice Link. While Vaati has Hyrule under his command, Link eventually brings the four elements and a fixed Picori Blade to a secret element of sanctuary in Hyrule Castle. This restores the legendary Four Swords which can split one warrior into four. With the help of a new Picori Blade, Link vanquishes Vaati and restores Hyrule from his destruction.
One Generation Later. – Four Swords.
Vaati then suddenly reappears but with no memory of the Light Force. He overtakes the Palace of Winds and declares himself the Wind Mage. Vaati is then defeated again. Sealing him in the sword and enshrining him in the Elemental Sanctuary. Several more generations pass before the seal begins to weaken. Zelda and Link one day check up on the seal to find it broken. In a cartoon-style development, Vaati takes Zelda to the Palace of Winds to become his bride. Link is instructed to unseal the Four Sword to split into four heroes. Upon doing so, the foursome then hones their skills, travels to the Palace of Winds, and defeats Vaati. Vaati is then sealed in the Four Sword which is then returned to its pedestal. Link once again becomes united as one person.
Era of The Hero of Time. – Ocarina of Time.
For countless eras, Hyrule descends into civil war. It’s unsure why. Amid this conflict, a woman flees to the Forbidden Forest. With her dying breath, entrusts her child to The Great Deku Tree to raise her child as a Kokiri. The child’s name is Link. The war finally ends shortly after. Ten years later, Zelda and Link meet and discover the king of the Gerudo Tribe, Ganondorf, who portrays a false loyalty to the royal family and is after the Triforce. The objective was to gather all Spiritual Stones before Ganondorf does. However, Ganondorf finds out and invades the castle, forcing Zelda to flee. Link runs to the Temple of Time and opens the Door of Time with the Ocarina of Time that was given to him. Link then lifts the Master Sword out of its pedestal which was placed back into several years ago. By doing so, Link opens the Sacred Realm. But because Link is too young to be the Hero of Time, he enters a seven-year slumber in the Temple of Light. He left the Sacred Realm open for Ganondorf who makes an effort to unite the three artifacts of the Triforce. But only retains the Triforce of Power. As a result, Hyrule is taken over. Making this quest significantly more difficult after Link’s return. But Link does wake up. He also awakens the seven sages. Ganondorf kidnaps Zelda and Link heads to Ganon’s Tower to rescue her.
We have now reached a critical juncture in this timeline. From here, this timeline splits into three distinct timelines based on the outcome of this battle, and time-traveling fiction. The first outcome can be seen in Ocarina of Time.
Link’s battle with Ganondorf may be what repeats at this point. However, Ganon uses the last of the Triforce of Power which changes him into his alternate form, the Beastly Ganon. Zelda and Link defeat Ganon and the sages once again seal human Ganondorf in the Sacred Realm. Along with the Triforce of Power, he possesses. Peace is restored. Zelda however feels guilty about the ordeal because Link lost seven years of his life. She plays the Ocarina of Time and sends Link back to relive his childhood. This creates two timelines. The Child Era, and The Adult Era. The Child Era stems from Link’s actions after he is sent back in time. The Adult Era is a continuation after Zelda sends Link back to his childhood.
Child Era. – The Twilight Realm & The Legacy of The Hero. Ocarina of Time & Majora’s Mask.
Immediately upon returning to his original time, Link returns the Master Sword to its realm-sealing pedestal and warns Zelda of the future’s danger. Zelda gives Link the Ocarina and to leave. To prevent Ganon from opening the Door of Time. It’s worth noting that the Ocarina’s seven sages do not wake up. Link takes his horse Empona and sets off. Months later, he finds himself in a mysterious forest that leads him into a parallel world, Termina. Unfortunately, at this time, it seemed as if the world would end. As someone by the name of Skull Kid with the powerful Majora’s Mask has set a moon on collision with Earth. Link only has three days to prevent Skull Kid’s plans. Using the Ocarina of Time along with an assortment of masks, Link revives four Guardian Giants and defeats both Skull Kid and Majora’s Mask.
Twilight Era. – Twilight Princess.
Ganondorf is finally due to be executed. However, because Link returned from the future with the Triforce of Courage, the Triforce in this timeline dutifully split and Ganon obtained the Triforce of Power. But in this timeline, Ganon never obtained the Triforce itself, he isn’t as powerful. In any case, the Ancient Sages are unable to kill Ganondorf due to this Triforce piece. As a result, Ganon kills one of the sages. The remaining sages then send Ganon to the Twilight Realm. While there, Ganon befriends Zant. Serving as Ganondorf’s follower. Who both seek to turn the Twilight Realm into a single dark era. They set a curse upon Midna, the Twilight Princess, and invade an unprepared Hyrule. Zelda is then forced to surrender by Zant to protect the kingdom from war. To oppose Zant, Midna finds a rancher gathered in Ordom Village who goes by the name Link. Who is a direct descendant of The Hero of Time. As you all may already know, Link is then transformed into a wolf when he enters the Twilight. Link restores some light and finds the Master Sword in the Sacred Grove. The Temple of Time in this era is just a ruin in the forest. Also interestingly, the Kokiri do not make an appearance. We’re led to believe that they have died out. In the end, Link defeats Ganondorf who no longer possesses the Triforce of Power. Which means in this realm he dies. Midna’s curse is lifted and she returns to the Twilight Realm. She breaks the Mirror of Twilights meaning the two realities could no longer interact with each other.
Era of The Shadow. – The Four Swords Adventure.
Relations between Hyrule and the Gerudo finally become at ease. But a new reincarnation of Ganondorf is born with all the memories of the previous Ganon. Ganondorf now wants to resurrect Vaati. Who’s been sealed away for some time. So, Ganon steals the Dark Mirror and uses it to spawn shadow versions of Link. Sensing evil, Zelda gathers Link and the Six Shrine Maidens to investigate Vaati’s seal. By doing so, Zelda and the Maidens are taken away upon entering the Elemental Sanctuary. Alone, Link draws the Four Sword. Creating four new allies, but releasing Vaati. Several Shrime Maiden rescues later, the four heroes make their way to the Tower of Winds, defeat Vaati, and save Zelda. They now defeat the demonized Ganon and seal him in the Four Sword. Which is then placed back in the Elemental Sanctuary.
One branch of this timeline has been covered. So, let’s rewind to the Adult Era.
Adult Era. – Hero of Winds.
Link and Zelda defeat Ganondorf, and the Seven Sages seal him away in the Sacred Realm. Zelda then sends Link back to his own time where the Majora’s Mask Era takes place. After the post-Ocarina of Time story in which Link no longer exists, Zelda returns the Master Sword to its pedestal and closes the Door of Time. So the Sacred Realm could no longer be re-opened. The Hero of Time’s story then becomes a legend.
Era Without a Hero.
Eventually, Ganondorf’s seal begins to weaken. He escapes, plunging Hyrule into darkness. Everyone preys that the Hero of Time will return to save them. But he never returned. The King of Hyrule entrusts his kingdom to the gods as a last resort. The gods inform certain citizens to escape to the tallest mountains. Torrential rain then floods the land. Plunging Ganondorf, the King of Hyrule, and Hyrule itself to the bottom of the ocean to seal them away. However, Princess Zelda escapes with a fragment of the king’s Triforce of Wisdom.
Era of The Great Sea. – The Wind Waker.
Because of this drastic landscape evolution, the Kokiri became plant-like creatures called Koroks, and the Zora slowly evolved into a bird-like creature and became the Rito. Moving from water to air. Nothing changes with the Gorons however, they are traveling merchants. Ganon escapes his watery grave and kills the two sages who had been praying for evil-repelling powers to return to the Master Sword. He then searches for Princess Zelda and the Triforce of Courage by kidnapping girls across the Great Sea who have long ears. The king of Hyrule is awakened and instructed to stop Ganondorf. He channels his spirit through a red boat and discovers Link who had been kicked out of Gannondorf’s fortress, in an attempt to save his sister. The king of Hyrule at the time isn’t aware that Link is a direct descendant of The Hero of Time. However, Link does wear the same get-up as part of a tradition. On an island, it is tradition to wear the same outfit as the Hero of Time after turning of age. With the vocational help of Tetra, the sassy pirate, Link raises the Tower of Gods and descends into Hyrule to retrieve the Master Sword.
He goes to challenge Ganondorf again but learns that the Master Sword no longer has any power. The king of Hyrule then reveals his true identity, and Tetra is made aware that she is the direct descendant of Princess Zelda. Link awakens two new sages to restore the Master Sword’s blade. He later finds out that the Triforce of Courage was shattered into eight pieces when The Hero of Time was sent back to his original era. Armed with the Triforce of Courage and the Blade of Evil’s Bane, Link goes to challenge Ganondorf. But only to find that Zelda has been kidnapped. After Ganon reunites the three pieces of the Triforce when Link enters his tower, it seems as if Ganondorf has finally taken Hyrule for himself. But the king of Hyrule touches the fragment and wishes for Hyrule to be washed away in exchange for a future. Link’s Master Sword and Zelda’s Light Arrows defeat Ganondorf and turn him into stone. Ganondorf, Hyrule, and by his own volition the king of Hyrule, are washed away. Officially ending Hyrule, and the struggle for the Triforce.
Era of The Great Voyage. – Phantom Hourglass.
Months pass and with their epic quest of destiny fulfilled, Link and now Tetra, and their pirates set off in search of a new world. After some time, they go to investigate the Ghost Ship in waters controlled by the Ocean King. Tetra makes her way aboard the vessel and gets kidnapped. Link then finds himself on a strange island after attempting to rescue Tetra. It is worth noting that the Ocean King’s waters are in a different dimension created by the gods who created Hyrule. Link gathers spirits and then obtains the Phantom Sword. Link defeats Bellum the antagonist and returns to his dimension with Tetra. Where it seemed that only 10 minutes have passed.
Spirit Tracks
After the longest 10-minute period passed, their voyage continues. At last, they land on a new continent. This land also has the Spirit Tower. Where the Demon King Malladus was sealed away. The tower is connected to four temples conveniently by tracks. Which maintains the seal. Hyrule is founded and Zelda adopted new green uniforms to honor the Hero of Winds.
Era of Hyrule’s Rebirth.
To clarify this timeline, this next Zelda is Tetra’s great-great-granddaughter. But Niko, one of Tetra’s pirates who you may remember from Wind Waker, is still alive. I’m unsure why. The Spirit Tracks are disappearing. So Zelda recruits Link. He is now a royal engineer and apparently lives with Niko. In this timeline, Link is a spitting image of the Hero of Winds. They make their way to the Spirit Tower. But Chancellor Cole, the character who wears two hats, is plotting to resurrect the Demon King. He and his cohort sever Zelda’s spirit from her body. Link and Spirit Zelda eventually ascend to Spirit Tower to find Malladus fully resurrected but defeat him in the Dark Realm. Zelda retrieves her body and the tribe who’d been safeguarding the temple decides that their duty is complete. They return to the heavens entrusting Zelda.
The Decline of Hyrule & The Last Hero.
The Adult Era and Child Era happen if Link defeats Ganondorf. This timeline however follows a darker possibility. If Ganondorf is not defeated, he will obtain the two pieces of the Triforce from Link and Zelda. He uses these fragments to form into Demon King Ganon. The Seven Sages seal Demon King Ganon away along with the Triforce. Peace briefly returns, but people are now aware of the Triforce. As well as the entrance to the Sacred Realm. In this timeline, nobody returns the Master Sword. But the Sacred Realm is now the Dark World. Because of Ganon. As a result, any who enter will become dark and conscripted into Ganondorf’s army. Due to a large number of monsters, they eventually make their way to Hyrule. The Seven Sages are ordered to seal the once Sacred Realm entirely. They succeed but after many deaths. The imprisoning war ends. But Hyrule is left in shambles.
The Era of Light & Dark – Link to the Past.
Despite Hyrule’s decline, uneventfulness rains until a priest named Agahnim wish to break the seal. He controls soldiers, kills the king, and sacrifices the descendants of the Seven Sages. Sending them to the Dark World. Zelda, the last to be sacrificed, emits a telepathic help plea which is heard by Link and his uncle. However, Link’s uncle is immediately killed upon entering the castle. Link then takes Zelda to safety. He then finds the Master Sword which is now surrounded by the Lost Woods. Agahnim then discovers Zelda’s hideout and sends her to the Dark World. Officially breaking the Sage’s seal, Link makes his way to the Dark World as well. But isn’t transformed into a demon. Link then rescues the descendants, defeats Agahnim and Ganondorf, and finally finds the Triforce. He uses the Triforce to wish for peace to be restored. Thereby resurrecting the king and his uncle.
Link’s Awakening.
Link starts to become restless in this post-Ganon tranquility. To resolve this, he takes a trip to seek more training. On his return to Hyrule, he encounters an intense storm. Link washes ashore on an island Toronbo Shores. Link discovers that the only way off the island is to awaken the Wind Fish. But finds out that the island exists as its dream. He’s awakened anyway. This means that Hyrule’s hero is now responsible for eradicating an island.
Oracle of Ages – Oracle of Seasons.
As Link returns to Hyrule, the Twin Witches Kotake and Koume need assistance to resurrect Ganon. So reinforcements are sent to cause trouble. Link is beckoned to the castle by the Triforce. Which transports him to Holodrum where he befriends Din the Dancer. Who is later known as the Oracle of Seasons. She is then kidnapped by Onox. But is later defeated. If you’ve played this game or any other Zelda game, you may notice that some fragments or characters are named after the three goddesses. Din, Nayru, and Farore.
Centuries Later – A Link Between Worlds.
At some point, the Triforce is split apart. Ganon once again obtains the Triforce of Power who’s been sealed away in the Dark World. But centuries after Link’s deeds, a sorcerer by the name of Yuga turns all of the Seven Sages into paintings. As well as Zelda. He uses their power to release Ganondorf, and the two infuse into one. Hyrule and Yuga’s counterpart realm Lorule has been in anarchy. Link, the Blacksmith’s apprentice, has been following Yuga’s tracks. He rescues the Seven Sages at the behest of Lourule’s princess, Princess Hilda. Only to find out that this scheme was her plan. Lorule at one point also had a Triforce. Hilda’s ancestors noticed that its existence constantly led the kingdom into war. So, their Triforce was destroyed. Which caused Lorule to become a vast dark land. Undistracted by sad tales, Link defeats Yuga and Ganondorf. Hilda is then persuaded that her actions are unjustified. She uses the last of her power to transport Link and Zelda to Hyrule’s Sacred Realm. With the Triforce resurrected, Link wishes for the restoration of Lorule’s Triforce.
The Golden Era.
Ever since the royal family regained the full Triforce. They use its power to expand Hyrule and make it flourish. Not much changes.
Era of Decline – The Adventure of Link.
Sensing that the Triforce can be abused, the king hides the Triforce of Courage away in a place only he has access to. The king only tells Princess Zelda of its whereabouts. Because he trusts her rather than her brother. For good reason. When the king dies, Zelda’s brother realizes that he does not have the whole Triforce. One of his friends interrogates Zelda who remains quiet. His friend loses his temper and casts a spell on her to sleep forevermore. The brother, now king, is filled with regret and grief. To honor his sister, he decrees that all future royal females be named Zelda. Despite the king’s efforts, Hyrule declines. It is later known as Lesser Hyrule. Sometime later after Link is given a scroll by Lady Impa, he discovers that it’s a path to the Triforce of Courage. After obtaining the fragment and using it to awaken Zelda. Since this happened later, it seems as if Ganondorf isn’t resurrected. And so, peace and the full Triforce were restored to Hyrule.
The Richest Timeline – Breath of The Wild.
Nintendo has purposefully left this game out of the timeline. For the purpose of interpretation, or even a new game. What we do know is at this point Breath of the Wild occurred generations later. It is a possibility that since this happens so far into the future, this may be the conclusion of all three timelines. But there is individual evidence that may present different lines. It’s explicitly said that the Zora Princess awakened as a sage. Which only happens in the adult and fallen hero timelines. The Rito and Koroks. Which is a strong case for the adult timeline. Except the Zora people make an appearance. The antagonist in this game is not Ganondorf, but the Demonized Ganon. It’s possible that at some point the two timelines reconverted courtesy of one of the antagonists. Regardless, here’s the possible end to the legend.
1,000 Years Before Breath of the Wild.
Ganon is once again about to break his seal. To fight him, Zelda oversees the construction of the Autonomous Guardians and four divine beasts championed by chosen warriors of the Zora, Rito, and the Gerudo. With the additional aid of the hero, Ganon is overwhelmed and sealed once more. These machines lay forgotten for thousands of years. Until excavations unearth them. Just as Calamity Ganon begins stirring again. Now, Zelda reactivates the Guardians and chooses four new champions. But when Calamity Ganon attacks, he overrides control of the Guardians and the Devine Beasts. As a result, Link is merely killed in the conflict. Zelda brings him to the Shrine of Resurrection to save him. She then heads to the castle alone to seal Ganon herself.
100 Years Later – Breath of the Wild.
When Link wakes up, he has amnesia. But looks well for his age. The same however cannot be said for Hyrule. Zelda’s seal is protecting the land but is slowly deteriorating. After obtaining a parasail from the king’s spirit, Link finds Impa. Who imparts Zelda’s final message. “Free the Four Devine Beasts.” Long story short, Link frees the beasts as well as the spirit of the Champions trapped within. He also regains some memories and finds the Master Sword in the Lost Woods. Where Zelda had left it under the protection of The Great Deku Tree. Calamity Ganon is eventually defeated. One is led to believe that it’s for actual non resurrecting good… at least until the new Tears of The Kingdom!
