Golden Goddess

The Golden Goddesses are Din, the Goddess of Power, Nayru, the Goddess of Wisdom, and Farore, the Goddess of Courage, the chief gods and creators of Hyrule. It is understood that the Golden Goddesses have always existed, and that they are omnipotent, omniscient, and eternal. Though there are many deities in the realm of Hyrule (various races and groups have various gods that they worship), the Golden Goddesses are the chief gods of Hyrule. However, the Goddesses are seldom mentioned in-game, and it seems that few people in Hyrule are aware of their existence. Nevertheless, they are by far the most important dieties in the mythos.

The three deities are first mentioned in The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, though they were not yet named. The Golden Goddesses would first be called by name in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, wherein the Great Deku Tree reveals to Link the cosmogony of the realm. It is explained that the three Goddesses are responsible for the creation of the realm of Hyrule (along with parrallel realms, such as the Sacred Realm), and all its inhabitants. Din created the material realm, Nayru set in place the physical and spiritual laws, and Farore created all life forms. It is also revealed that the essence of the Golden Goddesses is the source of the Golden Power within the sacred relic, the Triforce.

The Nature of the Goddesses
The nature of the Golden Goddesses is often speculated upon by fans of the series. It is generally assumed that the Goddesses are good, considering that no evidence lends to the assumption that they are evil, and some speculate that the Goddesses are of neutral allignment. However, there are events that occur in game that call the Goddesses alignment into question. For example, the events that occurred within the Arbiter's Grounds (prior to the events of Twilight Princess); when the Sages attempted to execute Ganondorf, it appeared as though Din granted Ganondorf her power, preventing him from dying.

Considering that no other evidence supports the idea of Din (or any of the Goddesses for that matter) being of evil allignment, naturally there are numerous valid arguments as to why Ganondorf came into the possession of the Triforce of Power. One valid argument (and the most widely accepted one) is that Ganondorf already possessed the Triforce of Power prior to the Sages execution attempt, and the Sages underestimated him. Another argument that is similar to the prior, is that being near the Arbiters Grounds, a prison wherein many criminals were executed, and being near the portal to the Twilight Realm, which was full of hatred and malice, invigorated him, and allowed him to use the Triforce of Power that he already possessed.

It is important to remember that the Goddesses are the ones who appoint the Hero, and that they support the Hero throughout his quest. It should also be noted that in the events prior to the Wind Waker, the Goddesses clearly showed preference towards good. They opposed Ganon, the King of Evil, when he attempted to conquer Hyrule, and when the Hero did not appear, they flooded Hyrule to prevent Ganon from ruling it. It is clear that unlike the Triforce, which is ambiguous, the Goddesses do discern between good and evil, and they generally support those of the good alignment, showing disdain towards evil.

Din, The Goddess of Power
"Din... With her strong flaming arms, cultivated the land and created the red earth."

- The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time

Din created the realm itself, and from chaos she formed the terrain of Hyrule. Din's essence is what constitutes the Triforce of Power one of the holy triangles that make up the triforce. Her power affords Ganon his limitless strength and mystical power. Though at a much smaller extent, Din's power can also be invoked by a powerful sorcerer. Her essence is often represented by fire as exemplified in the magic spell Din's Fire. Also, when Ganon takes on his "god" form (to do so he must use the Triforce of Power,) he is manifested as an apparation of his head, consituted of flames.

Attributes
As the Goddess of Power, Din is associated with themes that exemplify power. Most often, she is associated with the elements of fire and earth. She is implied to be the Goddess of the earth, and the Goddess of seasons. She is also associated with mountains, and more specifically volcanoes such as Death Mountain.

Of the races of Hyrule, Din's essence is most exemplified by the Goron race. These volcano-dwelling, rock-consuming golems epitomize the essence of Din; in their society, they respect power, moreover, physical strength, as demonstrated in their relentless competition with one another in tests of strength. They are the most physically capable of all the races in Hyrule, boasting superhuman strength, and nigh invulnerability, personifying the essence of Din.

Din is associated with rhythm; she is accredited to the circadian change of seasons, and she is also associated the art of dancing.

Appearances
Din was first depicted in The Legend of Zelda: The Ocarina of Time, as a winged, golden figure surrounded by a reddish aura. However, later depictions (such as the statues in Hyrule Castle's throne room in Twilight Princess) give her a more detailed appearance. Her Pearl Statue in The Wind Waker, as well as the Great Butterfly Fairy and Great Fairy of Flame, strongly resemble Din, the Oracle of Seasons, who may be her avatar.

Nayru, The Goddess of Wisdom
"Nayru... Poured out her wisdom onto the land, and gave it the spirit of law."

- The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time

Nayru is the source of the fundamental laws that govern the realm of Hyrule.

Nayru's divine essence is what constitutes the Triforce of Wisdom, which affords Princess Zelda her great wisdom and mystical abilities. Though at a much smaller extent, Nayru's essence can also be invoked by a powerful sorcerer. Her essence provides a protective shield of light when the spell Nayru's Love is cast.

Attributes
Nayru, the Goddess of Wisdom, is revered for establishing the physical and meta-physical laws of Hyrulean existance, as well as being the designer of space-time itself. She is commonly associated with the element of water, and thusly she is worshipped as a Goddess of the Seas and other great bodies of water, such Lake Hylia. Because of her part in creating the laws of the realm, Nayru is also worshipped as the Goddess of Time (as referred to in Majora's Mask.)

Of all the races in the Hyrulean realm, the essence of Nayru is best personified by the Zoras. These fish-like, humanoid, water-dweller are known for their hierarchial form of government, as well as their stoicism and their great wisdom. Though they are native to Zora's Domain, Zoras' are found within waterways throughout the Lanayru Province, as far south as Lake Hylia.

Nayru is commonly associated with string instruments, such as the harp, and singing.

Appearances
In her first appearance, in Ocarina of Time, Nayru is represented by a simple golden winged statue surounded by a bluish aura. However, in later games, monuments representing Nayru (such as the statues of the Golden Goddesses in the throne room of Hyrule Castle in Twilight Princess) give her, (as well as Din and Farore) a more detailed, appearance. In Oracle of Ages, the statue of Nayru appears almost identicle to the oracle Nayru.

Farore, The Goddess of Courage
"Farore... With her rich soul, produced all life forms who would uphold the law."

- The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time

Farore is the Goddess of Courage, one of the three Golden Goddesses who created the realm of Hyrule (along with parallel realms, such as the Sacred Realm). She is the source of all life that exists within the Hyrulean realm. Farore's essence, as well as the essence of her two sisters Din and Nayru, is the source of the Golden Power within the omnipotent sacred relic, the Triforce. At the dawn of time, Farore, along with her sisters, Din and Nayru, descended upon the chaos that was to become the land of Hyrule, each of them creating a different facet of the realm. Upon departure, they created the Triforce, the essence of their power, and left it within the Sacred Realm.

Farore's divine essence is what constitutes the Triforce of Courage, which affords Link his great courage and mystical abilities. Though at a much smaller extent, Farore's essence can also be invoked by a powerful sorcerer. Farore's essence often represented by wind as exemplified in the spell Farore's Wind.

Attributes
Farore is the creator of all life that exists within the Hyrulean realm. Because of her role in creating all life, Farore is associated regions that flourish with life, namely forests, such as the Lost Woods. She also is worshiped as the Goddess of the Winds as refered to in The Wind Waker, and her essence is represented by the winds.

Although Farore is the creator of all of the races in the Hyrulean realm, Farore is most closely associated with forest-dwellers such as the Kokiri, and the Deku. Fittingly for the Goddess of the Wind, Farore is commonly associated with wind instruments, such as the flute.

Appearances
In her first appearance, in Ocarina of Time, Farore is depicted as a golden figure surrounded by a greenish aura. However, in later games, monuments representing Farore (such as the statues of the Golden Goddesses in the throne room of Hyrule Castle in Twilight Princess) give her, (as well as Din and Nayru) a more detailed appearance. In Oracle of Ages and Oracle of Seasons, the statue of Farore appears almost identical to the Oracle of Secrets, Farore who is named after her.