Princess Zelda

Princess Zelda (ゼルダ姫, Zeruda-hime) is not simply the name of one princess, but rather a title held by many individual princesses of the same bloodline throughout the history of Hyrule. Princess Zelda has been depicted at various ages depending upon which game she appears in. Sometimes she will be a child, sometimes a teenager, and yet other times a young adult (For example Princess Zelda in Twilight Princess is around 20 years of age .) Zelda is invariably the crown princess of Hyrule in whichever game and time period she appears. This means that she is next in line for the throne after her father, the King of Hyrule (or in some cases, after her brother.)

Princess Zelda is one of the most important characters of the Legend of Zelda series, which is also why hers is the name used in the title of every game. A girl named Princess Zelda first appeared in the original The Legend of Zelda, and has been featured in every subsequent game, with the exception of Link's Awakening and Majora's Mask, (although technically, the Princess from Ocarina of Time made a small appearance in a flashback). Each Princess is chosen by destiny to be the keeper of the Triforce of Wisdom in their era, which is the main reason why they play such an integral role in the legends of Hyrule.

Throughout the history of Hyrule there have been several descendants bearing the name Princess Zelda although it has so far become unclear as to which girl was the first to bear the name.

Shigeru Miyamoto has stated that the name Princess Zelda originated from Zelda Fitzgerald, Scott Fitzgerald's wife.

The Legend of Zelda
An army of evil, led by Ganon sought to possess the Triforce to plunge the land of Hyrule into darkness. Stealing the Triforce of Power Ganon sought to find the last known piece, the Triforce of Wisdom.

Princess Zelda, as a member of the bloodline that carries and protects the Triforce of Wisdom, broke the Triforce piece into eight fragments and hid them throughout the realm in an effort to avoid its possession under Ganon's hand, at the same time she sent out her handmaiden, Impa, to look for a hero to save the land. Ganon learnt of what Zelda had done and imprisoned her within his lair under Death Mountain, surrounded by a wall of flame.

Link would eventually make it to Death Mountain and, upon defeating Ganon, free Zelda from her prison.

The Adventure of Link
According to a legend passed down within Impa's bloodline, well before the events of The Legend of Zelda game, Hyrule was a prosperous land ruled by a king who had two children, an unnamed Prince and Princess Zelda. However, an evil wizard came to the Prince and told him that the path to true power lay with the Triforce. The Prince gives into the wizard's whispers and seeks the Triforce. When the wizard tells the Prince that his little sister, Zelda, knows the location of the mystical object, the Prince demands that Zelda turn the information over to him. Zelda refuses and, in a rage, the wizard puts Zelda into a deep sleep, but dies from the magical backlash. Overcome with grief, the Prince seals his sleeping sister in the North Palace and orders that all female descendants of the Hylian monarchy are to be named Zelda.

To break the curse a hero must possess the Triforce of Courage but obtaining the Triforce piece would prove difficult as the king of ages ago had hidden it within the Great Palace. Only one who proved themself would obtain it. In the end Link obtained the Triforce of Courage and awoke the sleeping princess from her slumber.

''It is not clear whether or not any of the Zeldas in the games are the "true" Zelda or if they are simply the descendants of the sleeping princess. Because it is not known when Zelda was put to sleep, the answer may never be known.''

Legend of Zelda Valiant Comics
The comics follow a similar but alternate timeline to the previous two games. In this timeline Ganon is still alive and Princess Zelda had previously been kidnapped by him like the princess in Legend of Zelda and also cursed to fall into a deep sleep by him like the princess in Adventure of Link. Both times she was saved by Link and together they stand against Ganon's dark armies, living within the walls of the North Palace.

"Fighting with that girl is like arguing with a stone wall."

- Link

This Princess Zelda is a strong woman. Self reliant and confident she is a skilled fighter, skilled in archery and horseback riding. She also possesses a quick wit and always manages to avoid Link's attempts of affection towards her but for all her strengths she possesses a soft heart that is open to her people and friends. She possesses the wisdom of the Triforce of Wisdom and with it she can conjure powerful magic spells. She holds her duty above all else and has difficulty understanding how others hold other things, such as emotional connections, above duty.

As heir to the royal bloodline Zelda is responsible for the protection of the Triforce, cheifly the Triforce of Wisdom, and has many friends to help her. Her hero and rescuer Link, her nursemaid Impa, her father the King Harkinian of Hyrule and his men, plus her white horse, Storm. She sleeps in the northern tower, which is connected to the tower that contains the Triforce of Wisdom.

During one adventure Zelda decides that, due to Ganon's constant attempts to capture her and the Triforce, the best course of action is to leave Hyrule, taking the Triforce of Wisdom with her. She had heard of a magical flute within the 5th Palace that would teleport her to a distant place, where Ganon wouldn't find her. With Link's help she made it to the Palace but in the end she decides that the safest place to be is within Link's reach. With this in mind she insists that Link train her to better protect herself. During one such training mission where she was to go into the Eagle Labyrinth alone the training ended in her rescuing Link who had been caputured by Wizzrobe. During this adventure she wielded Link's Magical Sword, shield and bombs as she fought through enemies like Gohma, Patra and Dondogo but had emense difficulty doing it Link's Way. It wasn't until she obtained a Magic Bow that she learnt to fight like herself, not like Link, and using only a bow she defeated Wizzrobe and passed her training lesson. When Link obtained the Triforce of Power the Triforce of Courage moved to Zelda and with it she faced Link and convinced him to relinquish the Triforce of Power.



Legend of Zelda TV Series
In this television series loosely based upon the first video game Princess Zelda is a warrior princess with a fiery temper. In addition to running the kingdom part-time for her father, King Harkinian, she often accompanies Link on his adventures and is quite skilled with a bow. The series exemplifies a romantic relationship between the two protagonists. Link is always begging Zelda for a kiss; however, even when she agrees to indulge him, it never occurs. They are interrupted by monsters or Spryte or any number of unfortunate circumstances such as something making Zelda so mad she no longer wants to kiss Link. It is directly revealed that Zelda loves Link in one episode, and there is no doubt of their romantic relationship in this series.

This Zelda, like the other Zeldas, is capable of magic and skilled with the bow and arrow but she knows how to handle other weaponry as well. She, along with Link, lives in the North Palace, guarding the Triforce of Wisdom.

In another attempt to take the Triforce Gannon summons a mirror that creates a dark doppelganger of the person who looks into it at night. Their personalities are slighty different as the doppelganger is more willing to kiss Link then Zelda is. This proved to be the doppelganger's undoing however when Link discerns the two by their willingness to kiss him.



A Link to the Past
In this game the Princess Zelda is a maiden descendant of 7 wise men/sages who had imprisoned Ganon in the Dark World. Seeking freedom Ganon used the wizard Agahnim as a puppet to kidnap the descendants in order to sacrifice them and free him from his prison.

As the last free descendant Zelda uses telepathy to contact the descendant of the Knights of Hyrule, Link, to save her. Despite his efforts in evacuating her from Hyrule Castle however Ganon managed to capture Zelda and sacrifice her to the Dark World, breaking the seal between Hyrule and the Dark World.

In the Dark World Princess Zelda was held inside a crystal prison within Turtle Rock. When Link frees her she, along with the other maidens, breaks the seal surrounding Ganon's lair. When the Triforce is freed Princess Zelda returns with the maidens to Hyrule Castle to rule in peace.

Link to the Past (comic)
An alternate timeline has the events following similarly to the game but for the ending where Princess Zelda is crowned to become Queen Zelda. She knights Link who is charged with guarding the Master Sword. The two grow distant and end up going their seperate ways.



Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask
As the first Zelda in the official timeline, it could be assumed that this was the first princess of Hyrule to be named Zelda. In this episode of the series, Zelda is seen as a child and as an adult. In her adult life, Zelda is held captive by Ganondorf, but uses magic passed down to her through Impa to escape from time to time to aid Link in his quest. When helping Link, Zelda disguises herself as Sheik, and makes sure that he never discovers her true identity until the time is right.

When Zelda finally does reveal her self it is made clear that Ganondorf has been aware of her escape the entire time, and has for a second time in the game tricked Zelda and Link into doing part of his dirty work for him. Ganondorf then recaptures Zelda deliberately to drive Link in to a fight to the death.

In the game’s conclusion, Zelda shows her wisdom explaining to Link that they must return to their childhood, and that no one will ever know of their trials to save Hyrule. It is not known how long Zelda and Link stay together before the Hero of Time leaves for his quest taking place throughout Majora's Mask, but Zelda makes a single reappearance in Majora's Mask when Link has a flash back on retrieving the Ocarina of Time. The events of the flash back display their last meeting with Zelda confident they would meet again.

Oracle of Seasons and Oracle of Ages
In the Oracle Saga, Zelda and Link are presented as childhood friends, similar to their relationship in Minish Cap and the Four Swords series. This is one of few appearnces for Zelda in which she never appears as a fully grown adult. In these games, Zelda is revealed to be the Oracle of Hope. She is the one who sends Link to Labrynna and Holodrum to bring the Oracle of Ages, Nayru, and the Oracle of Seasons, Din, to Hyrule for safety. Zelda, herself, appears if the two games are linked.

The Wind Waker
The Wind Waker presents Zelda in a secret identity, Tetra, a female pirate who leads a small group of thieves. Tetra, however, is even unaware herself of being part of the Royal bloodline, and this is a first occurence for the Zelda series. Tetra's identity as a descendent of Princess Zelda is revealed when she travels with Link to Hyrule Castle, beneath The Great Sea:

"You are the true hero of the royal family of Hyrule... the last link in the bloodline. You are Princess Zelda."

- Daphnes Nohansen Hyrule

Zelda as Tetra displayed a tomboyish demeanour not relevant to other Zelda games, taking on challenges head on, this is similar to the role of Sheik although it is a given that Tetra is not quite as aware of the grand size of her situation although it is hinted at that she regularly withholds information from Link.

Tetra's Zelda is also one of only two Zelda's who choose to fight along Link at some point in the game. It has been said that this game runs parallel to Twilight Princess. Two timelines were made in Ocarina of Time, the Young Link and the Adult Link Timelines. Ganondorf was sealed in the Adult timeline but he escaped, which led to Wind Waker. In the Child timeline, it is unknown what happens to Ganondorf but this timeline leads to Twilight princess. (But this stuff was posted in a magazine that has been known to make stuff up so we can not be so sure...)

Four Swords Series
Zelda and Link appear here as childhood friends, and it can be said that Four Swords and Four Swords Adventures are in fact the same story retold on different consoles. The childhood aspect of their relationship could mean that these are the events that take place between Ocarina of Time and Majora's mask for the Link (Hero of Time) and Zelda from Ocarina. It is already stated that Minish Cap and Four Swords are closely related in the timeline as the Four Sword makes a strong appearance in Minish Cap. It can be assumed that these two stories share the same Zelda, as well as Link.

The Minish Cap
At the beggining of The Minish Cap, Link and Zelda are well aquainted and together head towards the Picori Festival in Hyrule Town. A catastrophe occurs when the evil wind mage, Vaati, appears turning Zelda to stone. Link fuses the 4 elements in the Picori sword to reverse Vaati's spell along the conclusion. Zelda revealed to Link she witnessed his actions in visions.

Twilight Princess
Zelda was the young matriarch of Hyrule until its invasion by Zant, the Twilight King, when she surrendered to him to prevent the deaths of herself and her people. Afterwards, she is imprisoned inside a tower in Hyrule Castle, although she does not become a spirit like her people under the influence of the Twilight King's magic. The reason may be from Zelda's Triforce of Wisdom. Zelda, dressed in a dark robe, meets Link transformed into a wolf by the Twilight's power. Later, she transfer her own power, and her physical form, to aid a dying Midna after an encounter with Zant.

She later regains her body, only to be possessed by Ganondorf and become the boss Ganondorf's Puppet Zelda (See image below); however, Ganondorf's dark influence is purged from her body by Midna. Under the dark power, Zelda's skin is pale with Twilight markings. Ganondorf makes another attempt on Zelda's life soon after, but she is protected by the Light Spirits of Hyrule, who grant her the Light Arrows to assist Link in the horseback part of his final battle. The last time she is seen in the game is when she and Link say good-bye to Midna at the Mirror of Twilight.

Zelda's Triforce is seen on the back of her hand when she heals Midna.

Phantom Hourglass
Princess Zelda appears in this game as Tetra, her alter ego in Wind Waker, after vanishing. It is unknown whether she will retain her royal persona at all in the game.

The Many Princesses Named Zelda
As mentioned above, there have been more than one Princess named Zelda throughout the history of Hyrule, and not even all of them have appeared in the games to this date. All of them generally have the same appearance of a beautiful young girl/woman with red or blond hair and blue eyes.

When Princess Zelda IV (at least to our best knowledge) was put in a deep coma by a wizard in the prologue for Zelda II: The Adventure of Link, her brother the Prince of Hyrule, who was partly to blame for her comatose state, decided that in honor of his sister, every princess born in to the Royal Family of Hyrule should be named Zelda.

The different princesses who have appeared in the games are Princess Zelda who appeared in Ocarina of Time, generally considered the first, then later the Princess Zelda who appeared in The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, most often considered the second, and then the third who appeared in The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker. It is not definite, but the fourth Princess Zelda is generally considered the one awakened by Link in The Adventure of Link, and then the fifth is the one seen in the original The Legend of Zelda. The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess is based approximately 100 years after Ocarina of Time, so therefore, that Zelda may be placed as the third. There is also a connection between the location of the Master Sword in the transition between A Link to the Past and Twilight Princess. In both games, it is found in a sacred meadow deep in the Lost Woods, however, it was found in the Temple of Time in Ocarina of Time. The Temple of Time also made a huge development between the times of OoT and TP, for in TP, it was extraordinarily larger.

Sheik
In Ocarina of Time Link met up with a mysterious member of the Sheikah Tribe, fittingly called Sheik. This person taught Link a multitude of different songs and gave him tips on how to proceed in his quest. At the end of the game, Sheik revealed himself to be none other than Princess Zelda in a disguise. During the seven years Link had been asleep while maturing to become ready to fight Ganondorf, Zelda had gone underground and taken the disguise as Sheik so that Ganondorf would not find her in his search for the two remaining pieces of the Triforce, one which was held by Princess Zelda herself. Sheik is also a playable character in Super Smash Bros. Melee: Zelda is able to transform into Sheik during a battle, allowing her to use a different set of moves.

Tetra
Born into a society of pirates on the Great Sea, Tetra, captain of the Pirates, was completely unaware that she was a member of the Royal Family of Hyrule's bloodline. When this was revealed to her by King Daphnes Nohansen Hyrule, she was just as surprised as Link to find out that she was indeed a decendent of Princess Zelda of Hyrule, and also the one destined to be the keeper of the Triforce of Wisdom.

Super Smash Bros
So far, Zelda has appeared in Super Smash Bros Melee, for the GameCube. Also, as of 25th June 2007, Zelda has been confirmed to be in the next series installment, Super Smash Bros. Brawl, for the Wii. In Melee, she appeared in her Ocarina of Time form. In Brawl, she will appear in her Twilight Princess form, as well as Link.

Starred In

 * The Legend of Zelda


 * The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past


 * The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time


 * The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages and The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons - In the linked game.


 * The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker


 * The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures


 * The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap


 * The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess

Non-Zelda Games:


 * Super Smash Bros Melee


 * Super Smash Bros. Brawl