Last Updated on 29 August, 2024
When it comes to those gaming franchises that have entertained millions of fans, The Legend of Zelda is one of a kind. Beginning in 1986, what started as a meager mission to save a princess evolved into a grandly sprawling narrative filled with lore and secrets, all accompanied by a fanatically dedicated fan base set out to leave no stone unturned in this world.
For years, fans have put together so many theories and discovered hidden lore that goes with this favored series, adding depth to it. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can click here and feel the excitement of making bets in games. So, let’s go through some of the most interesting mysteries that have fueled decades-long discussions among Zelda enthusiasts.
The Timeline Debate
One detail of The Legend of Zelda has been the subject of much debate and speculation over the years: its timeline. Laying out how the different games are connected was long the domain of speculation, where fans considered the alternative: did they connect, or were it just two unrelated adventures featuring the same characters? The Hyrule Historia book released in 2011 put this to rest with a de facto official timeline, splitting the series into three separate branches after the events of Ocarina of Time
However, that official timeline remains subject to several questions. For instance, where does Breath of the Wild fit? Some think it’s a convergence of all timelines, a grand unification of Hyrule’s fractured history. Others believe it is a far-off future, one so far removed from previous games that the timeline splits become irrelevant. Nintendo has intentionally remained vague, again only helping the speculation.
The Mystery of the Fierce Deity Mask
One of the most enigmatic and haunting items in the Zelda series has to be the Fierce Deity Mask from Majora’s Mask. Once Link puts that mask on, he becomes an avatar of sorts, something incredibly powerful and far beyond his usual ability to be. But who or what is the Fierce Deity?
Fan theories have painted him to be a god-like figure, maybe the counterpart to Majora, living in some ancient forgotten time, or an older version of Link himself, a warrior who had fallen to darkness and was ultimately sealed away. The vague description and overwhelming power of the mask only heighten its mystique, which makes it one of the most compelling mysteries in the series.
The Origin of Ganon
Ganon, or Ganondorf, is the perennial antagonist of the Zelda series; however, there has been little information regarding his origins. He is the King of the Gerudo—a tribe of desert-dwelling warriors, but there’s so much more beneath the surface. Some fans think Ganon is not exactly a man but rather a corporal manifestation of a primal evil that transcends time.
In Twilight Princess, we see Ganon as a man of influence whose mind has been possessed by the Triforce of Power, whereas in the other works, Ganon seems to have a longer history. It is possible that Ganon is a returning character— a soul cursed through each age, bound to an eternal recurrence in counterpoint to the hero. This theory fits really well with the cyclical character of the Zelda series: the same struggles waged in different ages and Ganon as the eternal foe.
The Sheikah: Guardians or Puppeteers?
The Sheikah tribe is one of the most mysterious groups in the Zelda world. Although they are usually depicted as staunch protectors of the royal family, their true intentions lie shrouded in mystery. In Breath of the Wild, it shows that the Sheikah were the creators of advanced technology, such as the Guardians and Divine Beasts. What could their true reasons be?
Some have even theorized that the Sheikah might have possessed their own intentions and were subtly guiding Hyrule’s history. The eye symbol, which resembles the Sheikah Slate and the other ancient technologies, depicts that they were deep into the world’s mysteries. Were they simply the guardians or the hidden puppeteers behind the scenes?
The Connection Between Link and the Hero’s Spirit
The Hero of Time, the Hero of Winds, the Hero of Wild—whatever be the name—Link is one being. But what connects all these different incarnations of Link? Is he the same person reborn into new ages, or are they separated people sharing the same destiny?
One of these theories postulates that Link is the reincarnation of the Hero’s Spirit—a kind of essence that assumes flesh whenever Hyrule is in terrific need. This will easily explain why all Links are different yet share a common name and mostly looks. The idea of a cyclical hero adds a mythic quality to the series, where he rises to face evil whenever it threatens Hyrule, with an emphasis on the eternal struggle between good and evil
