Archive:Timeline Theories

There is a wide panorama of views on the timeline that includes pretty much any order conceivable. Some of these ideas are better justified than others, but all of them arise from a personal view of the series. As such, with no official categorization of Zelda canon and no officially-released complete timeline, any personal view is as valid as any other view. This does not, however, mean that all views are equally justified. This is where timeline debates arise, and why they are so popular among timeline theorists.

The theories themselves are the fruit of these personal interpretations and the conclusions reached in debate. They are the most important products of timeline discussion and as such it is important for all theorists to carefully examine them before they attempt to draw conclusions on the quality of their content.

Compiled below is a list of all active timeline theories from the ZeldaWiki affiliate sites, for theorist reference and for easy and free access to all paradigms on the Zelda timeline.

GentleArtillery's Timeline (ZU)
Child: TMC - OoT/MM - TP - FS/FSA - ALttP/LA - LoZ/AoL - OoS/OoA

Adult: TMC - OoT - TWW/PH


 * The Light Force is the "complete" Triforce, before Vaati drained part of it from Zelda in TMC.


 * The Twilight Mirror is not the same as the Dark Mirror.


 * The late part of FSA is the IW.


 * AoL's backstory takes place between TMC and OoT.


 * TMC takes place very long before OoT, which means that most of it is forgotten.

Sign of Madness/Sign of Justice/Som's Timeline (ZU/ZD/ZI)
Adult: TMC - OoT - tWW/PH

Child: TMC - OoT/MM - TP - FS/FSA - LttP - OoX


 * LoZ/AoL can go after TWW, after TP, after LttP before OoX, or after OoX.
 * LA could go after OoX or LttP.
 * There are blatant contradictions between the SNES manual Seal War and OoT. Therefore OoT could not be the SW.

Ganondorfdude11/Darthganondorf/Person's timeline theory (ZL/ZU)
Child: TMC-OoT/MM-TP-FS/FSA-ALttP/LA-OoS/OoA-LoZ/AoL

Adult:TMC-OoT-TWW/PH-ST


 * The Oracles games happen during the reign of the king of the AoL backstory. That's why the kingdom is at peace and the Royal Family has the Triforce.
 * FSA covers only the first part of the Imprisoning War. The Triforce is stolen sometime before ALttP.
 * ST takes place in a new kingdom founded by Link and Tetra, but the old kingdom never de-flooded.
 * There are two Ganons, the one from OoT/TWW/TP, and another one who is introduced in FSA.

Pinecove's "Nothing is ignored" child majority
Adult: TMC-OoT-TWW/PH-ST

Child: TMC-OoT/MM-TP-OoS/OoA-FS/FSA-ALttP/LA

More to come

Tyeforce's Timeline

 * / - TWW/PH - ST

(SS) - TMC - FS/FSA - (SS) - OoT
 * \MM - TP - ALttP/LA - TLoZ/TAoL - OoS/OoA


 * Video with supporting evidence and explanation coming soon.

Planet Hylia's History
Timeline A (Original): MC - OoT - WW/PH/ST Timeline B (Alternative): MC - OoT/MM - TP - FS/FSA - ALttP - OoS/OoA/LA - LoZ/AoL


 * The three Golden Goddesses descend upon the cosmos and create the planet, Hylia.
 * Different organisms live on Hylia. The creatures are placed into four groups
 * Animals: Non-sentient creatures that have animal cells. They can form packs but aren't smart enough for societies or languages. (i.e., Dogs, cats, birds, frogs)
 * Plants: Any foliage that consists of plant cells and doesn't have sentient (or any) mind. (i.e. Trees, plants, flowers)
 * Monsters: Non or near-sentient creatures that form packs. The term is usually degrading and subjective as many monsters are highly intelligent. However, they are considered to be subhuman and beneath the People. Monsters are broken into Sub-groups, or species. (i.e. Moblins, Octoroks, Darknuts)
 * People: Sentient life-forms who have the intelligence to create society and all of its add-ons, such as language, government, arts, and tools. People are usually considered to be the highest of the "food chain" and look down upon Monsters. People currently rule Hylia (i.e. Hylians, OoT/MM/TP Zoras, Gorons, Calatians)


 * A War between the People (mostly Hylians and Humans) and Monsters occur. This is known as the War of the Bound Chest and ends with the Hylians sealing the Monster Race within a chest with the Picori Blade. The Hylians group together and a small settlement is formed. It is called Hyrule.
 * The events of Minish Cap occur. The son of a blacksmith defeats the sorcerer Vaati and frees the settlement from his control. Sometime later, before FS, Vaati is sealed inside the Foursword.
 * A Civil War erupts between the People races: Hylians (and humans), Gorons, Zoras, Gerudos, and Dark Interlopers for control of the Triforce. The Dark Interlopers gain access to the Triforce, but are banned to the Twilight Realm by the goddesses.
 * The Civil War continues and the Goddesses decide to let the People fight among themselves. The War ends in a peace treaty among the four great people and they all, except for the Gerudo, form the new Kingdom of Hyrule.
 * 10 years later, the child events of OoT occur. A split in the timeline happens and things become crazy.

Timeline A:


 * A young boy from the Kokiri Forest pulls out the Master Sword, allowing the Gerudo King, Ganondorf, to gain access to the Triforce of Power, which he uses to rule Hyrule for 7 terrible years. The young boy awakens from his coma and makes up for his sin by becoming the Hero of Time and saves the land from the Evil King. Ganondorf is sealed in the Sacred Realm for 100+ years, the Hero returns to his time (causing the split) and Hyrule rebuilds.
 * Ganondorf, in control of the Monster Race, uses them to kill the Sages of Earth and Wind, weakening the Master Sword enough for his body to enter the Light World. He uses this time to attack Hyrule. With no hero around, the goddesses flood Hyrule, allowing the citizens to live on mountaintops/islands.
 * Centuries past and the events of Wind Waker occur. The Hero of Winds defeats Ganondorf and the Triforce destroys the preserved Hyrule. The Hero and the pirate, Tetra, head out into the Sea in search of a new land to conquer. These events are depicted in Phantom Hourglass and probably Spirit Trackers.

Timeline B:


 * The young boy returns from the future and warns Zelda and her father of the events. Upon seeing the Triforce mark on the boy's hand, the King believes him and raises his army for Ganondorf's attack. Ganondorf is defeated and imprisoned. He is executed, but because of the Triforce splitting in the alternate future, Ganondorf receives the Triforce of Power's power. He is imprisoned in the Twilight Realm.
 * The young boy, now a hero, travels to Termina in search for his buddy Navi. He saves the alternate world from uncertain demise and returns to see a significant amount of time has passed.
 * At some point, a colony of humans (probably led by the young hero) was formed in the forest, becoming Ordon Village.
 * The events of Twilight Princess occur, with a new Hero defeating Zant and Ganondorf. Ganondorf is killed but due to the reincarnation cycle that Hyrule follows (when someone dies, they become ghosts or are reincarnated), Ganondorf returns in FSA. He has no memory of his past, but does carry the power-hungriness from his past life.
 * FS/FSA occurs. Vaati escapes, but a new hero, the Foursword Heroes, defeat Vaati and seal Ganon, who has become corrupted with darkness upon touching the Trident of Power, into the Foursword.
 * Gates into the Dark World are everywhere, sucking people into the Sacred Land/Dark World. The Foursword is swallowed as well and Ganon appears in the Sacred Land. He touches the Triforce and because he completes all three requirements of the Triforce (He is powerful, his knowledge of his past self - awakened by the Trident -, and his fearlessness to continue to strive for his goals), he obtains the full power. However, he is stuck inside the Dark World when all the portals were closed.
 * The events of ALttP occur. The Royal Knights' Descendant defeats Agahnim and kills Ganon with the use of the Master Sword and the Silver Arrows. He then uses the Triforce to destroy the Dark World and reverts Hyrule to normal. He gives the Triforce to the Royal Family for safe keeping.
 * Some time later, a young lad travels to Hyrule Castle and locates the Triforce. He touches the golden triangles and is transported to Holodrum/Labrynna. The events of OoS/A occur, with part of Ganon returning from the dead (it is possible to be revived from the dead as long as the time taken to revive doesn't exceed the time it takes to be reincarnated, i.e. one cannot revive the Hero of Time after the events of TP because he is already reincarnated as the Twilight Hero.) and being defeated by the boy. The other portion of Ganon's soul floats between the realms. The boy goes on a journey throughout the world, but allows the Triforce to fly back to Hyrule.
 * The events of LA happen, with the boy awakening from his dream/adventure. He floats to the land of Calatia(?) and lives the rest of his days there.'
 * The Kingdom of Hyrule expands outward, becoming an Empire. What was originally Hyrule is now known as Southern Hyrule.
 * Years later, the King, knowing of the dangers of the Triforce, splits it up into three. The Triforce of Courage is hidden in the Great Palace. The Triforce of Power is placed in a different location, probably Death Mountain. And the Triforce of Wisdom stays with them. The Legend of the Sleeping Princess occurs.
 * The spirit of Ganon finds the Triforce of Power and regains a form. He attacks Southern Hyrule, laying waste to it. Zelda hides the Triforce of Wisdom in 8 places.
 * The boy from OoS/A/LA's descendant, after hearing countless stories of Hyrule, travels to the Kingdom, only to see it in ruins. The events of Legend of Zelda happen.
 * With Ganon fully dead, the young hero embarks on a new adventure to awaken the sleeping Zelda. This is known as the Adventure of Link.
 * What happened next in either timeline is unknown...

SkullJ's Theory
Child: TMC - FS - OoT/MM - TP - FSA - ALttP/OoS/OoA/LA - LoZ/AoL

Adult: TMC - FS - OoT - TWW - PH - ST


 * When FS came out it was stated to be the first game. The story of TMC has to play before FS, so both play before OoT.
 * The flashbacks in TP play shortly after Oot.
 * The landscape of FSA loocks nearly identical to ALttp.
 * The oracle games could also be placed after AoL and can be played in any order.

Alter's Trident Timeline Theory
Trident Theory Timeline:
 * MM - TP

TMC - FS - OoT
 * TRR/TWW/PH - ST - FSA - ALttP/LA/OoA/OoS - LoZ/AoL/Valiant Comic Series
 * TRR/TWW/PH - ST - FSA - ALttP/LA/OoA/OoS - LoZ/AoL/Valiant Comic Series


 * The Trident Theory is something I, Alter, came up with myself, and I'm unsure as to whether or not someone else has had any similar ideas. The basic idea of this theory is that Ganon was once a Human/Gerudo. Once he stole the Trident in FSA, he was transformed into a "demon". From this point on, he was unable to ever return to his human form, and is usually seen with the Trident from then on.


 * Vaati was sealed after the events in TMC, and was released during in FS. He was sealed again, only to be released once again in FSA, where Ganon obtains his Trident.


 * The Sealing War is made up of the events in OoT, and the entire OoT arc takes place in between FS and FSA.


 * The baby Deku Tree that Tingle helped in TRR grows up. The forest then becomes known as Forest Haven. Link later ventures there during the events of TWW.


 * When Ganon broke out of his seal in TWW's backstory, Hyrule was flooded, explaining why there are islands in TRR, TWW, and PH. The land then drains, likely due to the Deku Tree's success. A new Hyrule is then formed by Link and Tetra in ST. After Ganon obtains the Trident in FSA, he is defeated in ALttP. Link then travels across the now much smaller sea to the lands of Koholint, Holodrum, and Labrynna.


 * The game manual for LA states that Link went on a search for enlightenment after defeating Ganon. This makes sense, as ALttP had been its predecessor, and the developers wanted to continue the story. After leaving Koholint Island, and returning to Hyrule, he is warped to the lands of Labrynna or Holodrum, and then sailed to the other land after completing his journey.


 * Note that it is also possible that his "search for enlightenment" took him to Labrynna/Holodrum, and after those adventures, he sailed back to Hyrule, but not before getting shipwrecked on Koholint Island. It's very vague as to what occurred on his quest. However, this idea is not as likely, as it is implied that he set sail (i.e. not warped by the Triforce), and had just destroyed Ganon (i.e. not the "fake" Ganon).


 * Ganon returns to the Kingdom of Hyrule in LoZ and AoL. Link and Zelda continue their fight against him throughout the Valiant Comics as well.

Trident Theory Timeline 2:
 * MM - TP - FSA - ALttP/LA/OoA/OoS - LoZ/AoL/Valiant Comic Series

TMC - FS - OoT
 * TRR/TWW/PH - ST - FSA - ALttP/LA/OoA/OoS - LoZ/AoL/Valiant Comic Series
 * TRR/TWW/PH - ST - FSA - ALttP/LA/OoA/OoS - LoZ/AoL/Valiant Comic Series

This is also a possibility, where they split, and then later re-merge at the point of FSA. This idea fits well, but there really is no reason for it.

Bitterlime's Theory (ZU)
Adult: OoT - TWW/PH - TMC/FS/FSA - ALttP/OoS/OoA/LA - LoZ/AoL

Child: OoT/MM - TP


 * Hyrule of TMC is the result of the Koroks/Deku Tree's success.


 * The Dark Mirror of FSA is the Twilight Mirror of TP (but not the Magic Mirror of ALttP).


 * OoT is still the IW, but the OoT Ganon is not the one sealed in ALttP. That is FSA Ganon.


 * Knowledge of the Triforce, the Sacred Realm and the IW, resurfaced after the waterlevel drop inbetween FSA and ALttP, probably in written form (Book of Mudora).


 * The AoL manual is still canon, but doesn't happen at the start of the timeline.


 * The Trident of Power is the reason for blue Ganon.


 * There are two Ganon(dorf)s: the one from OoT and the one from the 2D games.

Erimgard's "Freshly-Picked Oracles" Timeline (ZI)
Adult: OoT - TWW/PH - LoZ/AoL - OoS/OoA - [FPTRR] - TMC - FS/FSA - ALttP/LA

Child: OoT/MM - TP


 * Hyrule of TMC is the result of the Koroks'/Deku Tree's success.


 * The Dark Mirror of FSA is the Twilight Mirror of TP (but not the Magic Mirror of ALttP).


 * OoT is still the IW, but the OoT Ganon is not the one sealed in ALttP. That is FSA Ganon.


 * The AoL manual is still canon, but doesn't have to happen at the start of the timeline.


 * FPTRR is canon and timeline relevant
 * LoZ Hyrule does not necessarily have to be the same as TMC Hyrule


 * Places in TMC Hyrule such as Lon Lon Ranch are not related to the places in OoT, but instead to the islands of FPTRR.

NOTE: FPTRR is included with this timeline because it serves as the basis for part of the placement.

Ollathir's "Growing Hyrule" Timeline Theory (ZU)
Adult: OoT - AoL BS - TWW/PH - AoL BS - OoX & TMC BS - TMC - FS/FSA - ALttP/LA -LoZ/AoL

Child: OoT/MM - TP

NOTE: This timeline is based on Erimgard's timeline, which I think is improved by moving LoZ and AoL to after ALttP and LA. The following points are my explanation of why I believe so.


 * In TWW, the Deku Tree says that he wishes to create more land by planting trees and eventually connect the islands on the Great Sea. In FPTRR, we see land growing, and in OoA, there is more land in the present than there is in the past. All these things point to land growing over time.


 * More land is seen in AoL than in any other game. Based on TWW, FPTRR, and OoA, this leads us to assume an end-of-AT placement for AoL, along with LoZ.


 * In FSA, which was the next game made after TWW, the land to the north of Hyrule on the AoL map is not there. This directly points to AoL, and LoZ, being after FSA, and logically, after ALttP.


 * The Triforce being in Hyrule Castle before LoZ is explained by the "vanishing" of the DW at the end of ALttP. Since the Pyramid of Light was the parallel to Hyrule Castle, the Triforce would end up in Hyrule Castle when the DW vanished.


 * Ganon in LoZ can be explained by a resurrection like in OoX.


 * The AoL BS takes place shortly after the founding of New Hyrule, in accordance with the "first generation Zelda" quote in the4 AoL manual.


 * The TMC BS takes place in Hyrule during OoX. This explains Link's absence from the TMC BS. Also, the darkness in Hyrule during the TMC BS is similar to the darkness in Labrynna and Holodrum during OoX. Lastly, TMC has a lot of connections to OoX, (books in library, Din and Nayru) so it works out well to have the TMC BS taking place during OoX.

SUMMARY: With no sure explanation for Ganon in LoZ in Erimgard's timeline, it is beneficial to move LoZ and AoL to after ALttP and LA, making the explanation for Ganon in FSA available for use to explain LoZ Ganon. The only thing that is sacrificed in doing so is geography.

NOTE: Ollathir no longer follows this theory because he now believes that either TMC and FSA show a loss of land or that FSA's map is not Canon like Pinceove does.

Pinecove's "Dark essence" Timeline Theory (ZU/ZI)
NOTE: THIS TIMELINE WAS PRE-SPIRIT TRACKS

Adult: OoT - AoL BS - TWW/TT/PH - TBF - FPTRRL - LoZ/AoL - OoX & TMC BS - TMC - FS/FSA - ALttP/LA - AST

Child: OoT/MM - TP/LCT

NOTE: While this theory is based highly off the state of the Dark world, the Seal war, and Ganon, Geography is also incorperated into it.

NOTE: The following theory is based MAINLY off this quote:

"On Death Mountain I felt... I felt Ganon’s presence. I know the Evil King Ganon was sealed by Link, the Hero. His body was sealed, but his malicious essence could not be sealed. It was through this evil energy's doing that the youth was pulled into our world."


 * OoT is the SW.


 * Before TWW, Ganon uses a bushin to escape his seal from Hyrule and the Sacred Realm.br />
 * The Deku Tree in TWW is successful in his plans to connect all the old islands together to form the new Hyule.


 * LoZ's Ganon is Ganon's essence.


 * After LoZ when Ganon is destroyed OoX shows the ressurection of his spirit and his essence of darkness being put into a Trident.


 * TMC shows us the completion of the new Hyule setting as it is surrounded by mountains and forests.


 * FSA either shows us a slow loss of land from TMC or it's map is not Canon.


 * FSA shows us A New Ganondorf getting the Trident and gaining the dark essence of the old Ganon.


 * FSA Ganon once sealed in the FS is transported to the SR (the official art of the seal from the SW is reminicent to FSA's seal at the end of the Game.


 * ALttP's map is retconned by FSA if there is a loss of land.


 * ALttP shows us the escape of Ganon from the FS and the formation of another Bushin to escape the seal.


 * ALttP shows us the destruction of Ganon's Trident.


 * AST Ganon is the essence of Ganon.

SUMMARY: The Ganons from LoZ and AST can be explained by an essence which is occasionally randomly revived and other times is simply re-formed. TMC and FSA can either show us that there is a loss of land over the coarse of time and ALttP's map is not surrounded by mountains and forest anymore, or FSA's map is not Canon.

The Viral Timeline (ZI)
Adult: OoT - TWW/PH - LoZ/AoL - OoX - TMC - FS/FSA - ALttP/LA

Child: OoT/MM - TP


 * The Deku Tree in TWW is successful in his plans, and LoZ's setting is the "new" Hyrule.
 * OoT is the IW, and FSA along with the aLttP remake fixes the problems posed by WW.
 * ALttP refers to OoT as the IW, but does not refer to OoT Ganondorf being sealed.
 * OoX shows Twinrova binding Ganon's soul to the Trident.
 * FSA features a new Ganondorf who claims the Trident that was used by OoX Ganon. The soul of this Ganon is bound to the Trident, and so when Ganondorf claimed the Trident, the old Ganon's soul took over his body.
 * After Ganon is sealed within the Four Sword in FSA, the Four Sword was then sealed within the Sacred Realm. Ganon then broke out of the Four Sword which sets up for aLttP, as shown in the GBA version of aLttP.
 * Ganon was likely able to make his wish by combining the 3 seperate Triforce pieces, after his minions stole it from Hyrule castle and brought it to him in the Dark World (According to the LttP Sound and Drama). He would not be able to wish on the complete Triforce, as it would split once he touched it.
 * An alternative to the above is that the Triforce, as separate pieces, returned to the Sacred Realm after OoX.

Melchizedek's "New Hyrule" Timeline (ZI)
Adult: OoT - WW/PH - ST - LoZ/AoL - OoX - TMC - FS - FSA - aLttP/LA Child: OoT\MM - TP


 * The Seal War is OoT.
 * The Fierce War, Prolonged Wars, Unifying War and the Civil War are a group of wars preceding OoT.
 * As a consequence of Zelda sending Link back in time at the end of OoT the timeline splits.
 * The AoL backstory takes place between OoT and TWW, with Ganon as the magician and Daphnes as the Prince and scroll Writer.
 * Because of Daphne's wish on the Triforce, and the success of the Deku Tree in connecting the islands of the Great Sea, a "New Hyrule" is founded, as seen in ST.
 * Link of ST becomes the Great King as per Daphnes wish.
 * FPTRR can be canonly placed after OoX.
 * TMC backstory takes place directly before TMC, but a long time before.
 * Ganondorf is sealed in OoT and escapes for TWW, where he is sealed again, but escapes for LoZ, where he is defeated. In OoX Ganon is 'revived' and his spirit inhabits the Trident, which then possess the Ganon of FSA, which becomes the Ganon in aLttP.
 * Sound and Drama possibly explains the Triforce being in the Castle in OoX, and moving to the Sacred realm in aLttP.

Lexxi’s New Hylian Kingdom Theory (ZI)
Adult: OoT - TWW/PH - LoZ/AoL - OoS/OoA - TMC - FS/FSA - ALttP/LA

Child: OoT/MM - TP


 * The kingdom of LoZ/AoL is founded on the islands of the Great Sea, made larger and brought together by the Deku Tree and christened with the Triforce’s blessing at the end of AoL.


 * The Master Sword is either reforged by the Zoras in OoA.


 * The Triforce returns to the Sacred Realm after OoS/OoA.


 * The Light Force is a powerful Force Gem introduced after the Triforce leaves the new Hyrule.


 * The Dark Mirror from FSA is the Mirror of Twilight from TP.


 * OoT is the IW of ALttP, and TP’s prolonged wars are the wars told as leading up to the IW.


 * The demon Ganon is one entity throughout the entire series, taking on multiple incarnations over time.


 * The Four Sword is sealed in the Sacred Realm by the maidens after FSA. This accounts for Ganon's appearance there in ALttP.

MoonMan's Subrosian Theory (ZI)
Adult: OoT - TWW/PH - OoS/OoA - [FPTRR] - TMC - FS/FSA - ALttP/LA - LoZ/AoL

Child: OoT/MM - TP

NOTE: FPTRR is included with this timeline because it serves as the basis for part of the placement.
 * Ganon of LoZ is the result of Ganon splitting his soul in ALttP to form Agahnim, who was never properly killed.
 * The location of the Triforce after OoS/OoA is unknown, either having been hidden or locked away by the royal family or having returned to the Sacred Realm.
 * OoS/OoA must come before FPTRR because of the appearance of the Salona, whose ancestors (implied to be Subrosians) had contact with the hero (OoS/OoA).
 * FPTRR must come after TWW due to the island structure of the world.
 * TWW-OoS/OoA-FPTRR-TMC-FSA represents a world transitioning from islands to continents.
 * OoT is still the IW, but ALttP Ganon is not OoT Ganon, it is FSA Ganon.
 * The Master Sword is recovered and reforged in OoA.

Sage of Earth's Paradox Theory (ZU)
Adult: OoT/MM - TWW/PH - ALttP/LA - LoZ/AoL

Child: OoT - TP


 * Link's choices in the past result in a grandfather paradox that leads to TP. The rest of the timeline remains as it would were it a single timeline.

NOTE: The Oracle and FS games are not included with this timeline.

Goldenrod111's Many-Line Theory
I would love to be able to condense this into a normal two-line theory, but it doesn't work out. We know that TP is along the child line, and TWW along the adult. However, Ganon appears in three distinct forms: fully human in TWW, tainted by twilight (with its powers) in TP, and a half-boar all the time in the 2D games, and each of these forms has a separate ultimate fate. The only way to condense this any further is to say that all the games are just stories, and the one who was telling TWW decided to say that Ganon was petrified instead of just returning to where he came from. I like this interpretation&mdash;(ALttP) - TMC - (ALttP) - FS - FSA - (ALttP) - LoZ / AoL / OoX / LA - TWW / PH - ST&mdash; but it definitely messes with how we understand the rules, and completely ignores Occam's Razor.

Basically, this theory states that the timeline split once at the end of OoT and once while Ganon was sealed in the Dark World. The child arc is rather straightforward: Link travels to Termina, and one of his descendants kills Ganon after his attempt to use Zant to take over. In the adult arc, though, the split is based on whether or not Ganon is changed by the dark world. If he remains a gerudo, he eventually breaks free on his own and indirectly initiates the flooding of Hyrule and his becoming a statue. Otherwise, he tries to use Vaati, and evidently brings about his own failure; Link is around to send him back to the dark realm, whereas he was largely unopposed just before the flood. The third time he attempts to break free, in LoZ, he is killed (we assume that he managed to escape before, as there would otherwise be a huge number of alternate timelines), and the remaining games in the progression he only appears in revival attempts. The Link that stops the schemes in OoX is definitely the one who killed Ganon initially, and so that leads us to the conclusion that he is quite the traveler, thus leading to the conclusion that he is the one "journeying for enlightenment," and therefore the Link in LA.

Digific Writer's Timeline (ZU)
Adult: OoT - TWW/PH - TMC - FS/FSA - ALttP/LA

Child: OoT/MM - TP - LoZ/AoL - OoS/OoA

- The Legend of Zelda spoken of in the AoL backstory does not necessarily have to be based on an actual event; it could be a compilation of events or a fable.
 * The split creates a double of Ganon/dorf, existing solely in the Adult Timeline, who appears in most of the games which occur on that branch.
 * The flooding and destruction of the original land of Hyrule eventually leads to the founding of a new Hyrule; similarities in names, places, and legends between the two Hyrules is due to the passing-down of history from generation to generation.
 * The events of OoT and FSA combine to create the IW spoken of in ALttP.

Hombre's Double ALttP Theory (ZU)
Adult: OoT - TWW/PH - TMC/FS/FSA - ALttP(GBA)/LA

Child: OoT/MM - TP - LoZ/AoL - OoS/OoA - ALttP(SNES)


 * Hyrule of TMC is the result of the Koroks'/Deku Tree's success.


 * The Dark Mirror of FSA is the Twilight Mirror of TP (but not the Magic Mirror of ALttP).


 * The IW is a separate event, most likely taking place in between FSA and ALttP.


 * LoZ takes place in Holodrum and the "region of Hyrule" is bigger than just the kingdom Hyrule.

Humulation Theory (ZU)
Adult: OoT - TWW/PH - TMC - FS/FSA

Child: OoT/MM - TP - LoZ/AoL - OoS/OoA

Adult and Child lines merge to lead to ALttP/LA


 * The Picori Blade is the Master Sword, but changed and reforged over time.


 * The Merge is necessary because ALttP's backstory has elements that seem to come from both OoT Adult Side (the Seal) and TP Ganondorf leading a band of thieves in attempt to rule over the Sacred Realm).


 * The Merge is caused by Ganon's physical body being destroyed in one timeline, and his soul in another. The two separate parts of him on separate timelines merge together, and the timelines themselves do as well.

Prince of Darkness's Theory (ZD)
Adult: TMC - OoT - TWW/PH - FS/FSA - ALttP

Child: TMC - OoT/MM - TP - OoS/OoA/LA - LoZ/AoL


 * The full Triforce recombines and is recovered by the Hylian Royal Family after TP.
 * Twinrova is Ganon's vessel in OoS/OoA (i.e., he possesses their body).
 * Ganon is not killed in OoS/OoA.
 * Ganon is able to dispel the power of the Master Sword before LoZ (like he did in TWW).
 * Ganon is sent back to the Dark World at the end of TWW.
 * Agahnim is a possession, not a spirit form.
 * The Triforce's power makes Ganon's spirit immortal.

Reign and Kisiro's Theory (ZU)
Adult: OoT - TWW/PH - LoZ/AoL

Child: OoT/MM - TP - TMC - FS/FSA - ALttP/LA - OoS/OoA


 * The sages in the ALttP are related to the TP sages.
 * Ganondorf led the shadow tribe in TP's backstory, and was able to touch the Triforce.
 * The Ganondorf legends and the story of FSA were both passed down as the IW of ALttP.
 * In both timelines, there are two Ganondorfs, each of whom take on the blue Ganon form.
 * Koume and Kotake in OoS/OoA are the same characters from OoT.
 * The AoL backstory takes place after PH.
 * LoZ/AoL take place on a partially deflooded Hyrule.
 * The Twilight and Dark Mirrors are not the same.

ZG's Theory (ZU)
Adult: OoT - TWW/PH - LoZ/AoL - OoS/OoA

Child: OoT/MM - TP - TMC - FS/FSA - ALttP/LA


 * FSA is the IW or the IW is after FSA.
 * Games after TWW/PH take place in a new land.

Pinecove's force timeline
Adult: OoT-TWW/PH-ST-TMC-FS/FSA

Child: OoT/MM-TP-ALttP/LA

LoZ/AoL-OoS/OoA undecided


 * ST's ending leads to TMC's Backstory.


 * Geography is not taken so maps line up-areas are only compared.


 * The use of force on the adult timeline but not the child timeline means that TMC FS and FSA have to occur on the adult timeline.

Nerushi's timeline
Pre-OoT: TMC-FS/FSA

CT: OoT/MM-TP-ALTTP/OoX/LA-LoZ/AoL

AT: OoT-WW/PH-ST


 * The Dark Mirror is the Mirror of Twilight.
 * FSA occurs approximately 400 ( or more ) years before OoT.
 * FSA Ganondorf is not OoT Ganondorf.
 * The Triforce never leaves the Sacred Realm on the CT, but enters Link, Zelda and Ganondorf in an Spiritual way, rather than physically.
 * The Seal War occurs after TP, with FSA Ganon breaking out of the FS and re-discovering the Sacred Realm. Upon touching the Triforce he creates the Dark World, but is unable to leave. The Seven Sages seals the entrance to the Sacred Realm.
 * The Sleeping Zelda story occurs after ALTTP/OoX/LA, and that Link is possibly the Great King told of in AoL backstory.
 * Holodrum and Labrynna becomes part of Hyrule seen in AoL.

Hibob7's timeline
Child: MM-TP-MSoC-OoS-OoA "Legend of Zelda"-TMC-SS-OOT< Adult: WW-PH-ST-FS-FSA-ALttP-LA-LoZ-AoL-III

More to come.
 * The "Legend of Zelda" is the one detailed in AoL. Minish Cap comes first because Link has no cap, it explains how monsters are freed into the world, and Ganondorf isn't born yet. Skyward Sword comes before OoT but after TMC because Link has a cap. The Skyward Sword becomes the Master Sword, sealed in the door of time. Ganondorf is not born yet.

KnightofHyrule's Legend Timeline
This timeline recognizes that many games in the series appear to be re-tellings of the same story, reflecting the natural evolution that all legends undergo. As the legend of Zelda is passed down from person to person, it changes, it evolves. These 'legends' are organized in chronological order based on events, and not the games themselves.

Sword of the Sky (TMC, SS) - The Imprisoning War (OoT, FSA) - The Ancient Mask (MM, TP) - The Great Cataclysm (ALttP, TWW, TP) - Shattered Triforce (LoZ, TWW) - Hero of Dreams (LA, PH) - Evil's Resurrection (AoL, OoS/A, ST)


 * ALttP, OoT, FSA & TP all detail different versions of the Imprisoning War.
 * The Wind Waker and Twilight Princess each encompass two legends.
 * Four Swords is not listed, but takes place before the Imprisoning War.

Chaltab's Single Timeline (ZL)
TMC - OoT/MM - TP - TWW/PH - FS/FSA - OoS/OoA/LA/ALttP - LoZ/AoL


 * The Wind People from TMC are the Sky People from TP.
 * A war broke out days after Ocarina of Time's final scene. Ganondorf tried to obtain the Triforce and was captured and executed, resurrected, and sealed in the Twilight realm. It's legend was later appended onto the Seal War.
 * A new Hyrule was founded after the flood, either on a new continent or by the Great Deku Tree's plan.
 * The Dark Mirror from FSA is an attempted replica or re-forging of the Twilight Mirror from TP, and contains the Twili.
 * Tbe Dark World from FSA is the same as the spread of Twilight in the first half of TP.
 * Ganondorf from the Adult Timeline is the Ganondorf of TWW. He circumvents the original seal and a second one is placed on his power via the Master Sword. Then he dies from severe cranial trauma.
 * The Ganondorf of TP is given the Triforce of Power by the sealed Ganon from the Adult Timeline.
 * The 'latter half' of the Seal War was FSA; it's legend was combined with the ancient stories of Ganon forming the version we read in the ALTTP manual. That reincarnated Ganondorf became Ganon upon obtaining the Trident, which is of uncertain origin.
 * Oracle takes place before Link's Awakening and ALTTP; The Wind Fish's dream contains elements of prophecy--Aghanim and the full-fledged return of Ganon.)
 * The scroll in AOL's manual was written over several generations and has multiple authors.

Jumbie's Split Gaiden Theory (ZL)
Adult: TMC - OoT - TWW/PH

Child timeline: TMC - OoT/MM - TP

Gaiden timeline: TMC - OoT - ALttP/OoS/OoA/LA/(AST) - FS/FSA - LoZ/AoL


 * The Wind People from TMC are the Sky People from TP.
 * TP's prolonged wars are when the Twili's ancestors were banished, and the same wars from ALttP's manual.
 * In a third timeline, Link is absent when Ganondorf takes the Triforce, so the Seal War unfolds instead.
 * The Dark Mirror from FSA is the Mirror of Twilight from TP.
 * Ganondorf and Vaati have the same right to be reborn as new persons as any other Hyrulean.

Lexxi's Single Timeline (N/A)
OoT/MM - TP - TWW/PH - LoZ/AoL - OoS/OoA - [TFPRR] - TMC - FS/FSA - ALttP/LA/[AST]


 * OoT is the IW of ALttP. Ganon is removed from the sealed Sacred Realm to be executed in TP, and is revived prior to TWW.
 * The hero in TP either is or predates the one who split the Triforce prior to TWW. All heroes who use the Master Sword are the "Hero of Time," whose title has the dual meaning of "Hero who travels through time" and "Hero who appears throughout time."
 * The KoRL is the prince from the AoL Sleeping Zelda story, and OoT Zelda is the Sleeping Princess. The Triforce of Courage is left in the Great Palace after TWW.
 * The kingdom of LoZ/AoL is founded on the islands of the Great Sea, made larger and brought together by the Deku Tree, and christened with the Triforce’s blessing at the end of AoL.
 * The Light Force is a powerful Force Gem introduced after the Triforce leaves the new Hyrule.
 * A new Master Sword is forged in OoA by the Zoras.
 * The Triforce returns to the Sacred Realm after OoS/OoA.
 * The Dark Mirror in FSA is a forgery of the Mirror of Twilight.
 * OoT is the IW of ALttP, and TP’s prolonged wars are the wars told as leading up to the IW.
 * The demon Ganon is one entity throughout the entire series, taking on multiple incarnations over time.
 * The Four Sword is sealed in the Sacred Realm by the maidens after FSA. This accounts for Ganon's appearance there in ALttP.

NOTE: This timeline is purely personal, and does not adhere to traditional "canon." See “Lexxi's New Hylian Kingdom Theory” for this theorist's traditional timeline.

Tounushi's Split Adult Time-Line Theory (N/A)
Adult Time-Line 1: OoT-tWW/PH

Adult Time-Line 2: OoT-aLttP/LA-tLoZ/AoL

Child Time-Line :  OoT/MM-TP


 * Wind Waker's opening story seems to give a feeling of a "what if" scenario instead of aLttP: Hero of Time seals Ganon (both) Ganon sneaks/breaks his way through the seal (both), Ganon practically conquers Hyrule (tWW) / Link kills Ganon before Hyrule is completely enslaved (aLttP).
 * tMC-FS/FSA continuity gives such a different story (e.g. light force), that the continuity is basically a Gaiden.
 * Oracles is before or after LoZ/AoL. Difficult to exactly bolt the arc down.  aLttP just had a major crisis, so the knigdom would've taken many years to recover to the level presented in Oracles.  AoL presents a large world that seems to prosper, even only a few years after LoZ, where people were living in caves.  Both options have the whole triforce and Ganon is definitely dead.
 * The "city in the sky" is a concept used in tMC and TP, but neither games' cities are related.
 * Whatever races resemble each other in the ATL2 and CTL is due to the fact that both have a common history from the time before OoT.
 * The ancestors of the Twili might've been the first/most powerful of the groups/tribes to lust, search and war for the Sacred Realm. They might've even existed before the building of the Temple of Time, as they DID MANAGE to enter the realm.  Afterward the goddesses and the spirits banished them to a world between the Sacred Realm and the Real World: Twilight Realm.  The ancient sages built the Temple of Time to prevent this from happening again, at the same time creating the old kingdom of Hyrule to protect the Temple OR granting an earlier kingdom of Hyrule to hold the territory where the Temple resided.  This made the kingdom the envy of other races/tribes/kingdoms or even rival nobles within the kingdom, sparking the Hyrulean Civil War.  The war may have even lasted for centuries on some level of intensity, before reaching its climax and end right before OoT.
 * Peculiarly, Ganondorf didn't seem to be as interested in reassembling the Triforce in TP as he did in the other games. This would be because he received his Triforce of Power "out of the blue" in the CTL, after the events of OoT, much like Zelda receiving her Triforce of Wisdom.  In the ATL, Ganondorf is consumed by his anger and frustration of having the complete Triforce slip from his fingers.  Sure, he might've had ambitions to attain the triforce from the beginning, but in ATL, he strived and failed to attain the Triforce, while in CTL he just received it without any effort on his part.  As he received this "blessing," he went on a thieving rampage, but was caught and tried before making any serious damage.  After harnessing the powers of Twilight, he had no further overriding desire to attain the last pieces of the triforce.
 * The Sealing War is OoT: The story has changed from accurate accounts over the years/centuries, downplaying the Hero of Time and promoting the Hylian Knights (how many could topple an evil kingdom and a demon king ALONE?). The temple of Time was deconstructed and moved OR the Hyrule castle was rebuilt elsewhere, to the east of Kakariko.  The Temple dacayed into ruins as a forest grew around it until the Pedestal of Time and the Master Sword were left.

Three Universe Theory (N/A)
Universe 1

Adult: OoT - TWW/PH - ST

Child: OoT/MM - TP

Universe 2

TMC/FS/FSA - ALttP/LA

Universe 3

LoZ/AoL - OoS/OoA


 * Three separate continuities that do not intersect.
 * TMC and FS are notably first in their universes.
 * ALttP's IW is FSA.
 * AoL backstory refers to the first Zelda.

United Wise Men's Timeline (N/A)
OoT/MM - TP - TWW/PH - TMC - FS/FSA - ALttP/LA - OoS/OoA - LoZ/AoL


 * The hero in TP either is or predates the one who split the Triforce prior to TWW.
 * The Hyrule in the 2D games was formed by the success of the Koroks and Deku Tree in uniting the islands.
 * The Triforce returns to the Sacred Realm after TWW.
 * Ganon is revived in FSA and sealed in the Sacred Realm by the Four Sword.
 * The Triforce is kept by the royal family after ALttP.

NOTE: This timeline is outdated.

Zero's Timeline
Universe 1:OoT/MM - TP - ALttP - OoS/OoA - LA - TWW/PH - ST - LoZ/AoL Universe 2: TMC - FS -FSA


 * Link does not return to the past in OoT.
 * Link is sent back by the gods to save Terminia and is sent back afterward.
 * Link marries Malon and becomes a Knight of Hyrule, as his late father was, and knowing he has only sealed Ganondorf away, dies full of regret and comes to teach his descedant, Twilight Princess Link, his sword skills.
 * ALttP Link is descended from Twilight Princess Link.
 * ALttP Link goes to have a family and his great grandson is the Link of OoS/OoA and LA
 * The Events of the Great Flood occur, the descendant of the OoS/OoA Link becomes one of the survivors of the Great Flood.
 * TWW Link is the descendant of the descendant of the OoS/OoA Link's descendant that became a survivor of the flood.
 * TWW events occur, Hyrule is flooded, then the events of PH occurs. The events of Spirit Tracks occur.
 * The events of the orginal Legend of Zelda occur, soon followed by AoL.
 * The Vaati series is a separate parallel timeline, it is a seperate alternative universe.

Evolving Ganon theorem

 * TMC-FS/FSA-OoT
 * Child: OoT-MM-TP
 * Adult: OoT-ALttP-LA-LoZ-AoL-OoX-WW-PH-ST

Close observation of Minish Cap graphics reveal that the hero of man did NOT wear a cap. All other Zelda games regard the cap as a traditional part of the hero's garb, and it is likely Ezlo himself started that tradition. Thus, TMC is the first game, and its arc the fisrt.

Ganon in FSA was a surprise twist, and therefore it is reasonable to assume that this was his first venture into conquest. It is entirely possible that the demon Ganon was originally bound to the trident Ganondorf found, and was forced to abandon him after Link's defeat.

Ganondorf, recognizing the value of such power, immediately began to consider gathering it anew. The legends of the triforce led him to Hyrule, and the events of OoT took place. When Link was sent back with the knowledge of what was to come, a temporal quirk caused the triforce of courage to go to him, and therfore the other two triforces to go to their owners. Thus the execution of Ganondorf failed, and the Sages locked him away in the twilight realm. Majora, sensing the temporal quirk, manipulated a nearby skull into stealing it from the Happy Mask Salesman, and then further manipulated his in an attempt to get Link and the triforce of courage out of the Hyrule timeline completely by killing him in Termina. This happily failed, partially due to Majora's own insanity but mostly due to Link's efforts, and Link was returned to the timeline where he lived a long and happy life. Later in this history, TP occurs.

In the other timeline, due to Link inadvertently bringing the three triforce pieces together, Zelda was able to wish her land healed and people safe. Unfortunately, this sent the triforce back into the Sacred Realm that Ganondorf was now sealed in. After floating around for a bit, Ganondorf bangs into the triforce of Power again, and the events of ALttP take place. The current king, not wanting to make the same mistake twice, rushes in after Link makes his wish and uses the complete Triforce (successfully, whadaya know!) to wish that the triforce was very difficult to find. Meanwhile, Link has a dream, which is LA.

The king's son is rather annoyed about the whole thing, and asks the current Zelda to tell him where all the triforce bits are. She says no. The LoZ backstory takes place. A few decades later, Ganondorf has regathered all the shards of the triforce of power (probably by tricking loads of people to "sacrifice" anything golden to the dark world), and he bursts forth, kidnapping the current Zelda in full expectation that she has the triforce of wisdom. Which she doesn't, so he's annoyed AGAIN. LoZ takes place, and then AoL takes place.

The new Twinrova pair fly off to distant countries, and Link goes off to chase them. OoX takes place... but the trick here is that Twinrova released both Ganon the demon and Ganondorf the man. Ganon the demon isn't all that intelligent, and Link beats him easily. Ganondorf the man, however, once again steps forward from the temple of time! Everybody realizes this is a bad thing, so the Oracles call upon the godesses to flood the land...

And, centuries later, Wind Waker happens. And then Phantom Hourglass, and then Spirit Tracks. Of course, this theory could be complete nonsense.

Petenu's "Timeblob" Timeline
This timeline theory can be reduced to the fundamental statement "any apparent chronological dependencies from one game to another are entirely coincidental."

To elaborate upon this further, the theory posits that when writing the plot and script for any given game, the developers either (a) make numerous dumb mistakes when trying to fit it into the plots of existing games, or (b) don't really care. In essence, each game exists in isolation, in its own universe, but where the out-of-game events of that universe bear many similarities to the universes of the other games.

This can be represented in the following fashion:


 * Some stuff happened - TMC - Some other stuff happened. Meanwhile, in another universe:
 * Some stuff happened - OoT - Some other stuff happened. Meanwhile, in another universe:
 * Some stuff happened - MM - Some other stuff happened. Meanwhile, in another universe:

...and so on.

Spoon Link's Triple-Split Timeline

 * TWW/PH - ST - FPTRR/CCTLBT

(SS) - TMC - FS - OoT - (Ganon escapes but is killed) - FSA - ALttP/KnS/OoX/LA - LoZ/G&W/AoL
 * MM - TP/LCT
 * MM - TP/LCT

Skyward Sword Link may or may not be the Hero of Men; if he is, then it may be that he used the Master Sword to seal the monsters, and later, Sages secretly and magically replaced the Master Sword with an identical sword to protect the Master Sword(that still worked to seal the monsters), and that sword never really had holy power until it was infused with Elements. That timeline in the middle is the "original timeline". It happens when Link decides not to go back to his own time at the end of OoT, to protect Hyrule. At the same time he did in the backstory of TWW, Ganon escapes, but unlike in the backstory of TWW, Link is there and kills Ganon. (This leaves room for FSA's Ganon.) FPTRR takes place in Deku Tree's Success many years after ST, and the people who live there are descendants of those who didn't leave the Great Sea. LoZ's Ganon is a separate Ganon from OoT's and FSA's. OoX Twinrova is different from OoT's. Perhaps because they were twins they were named Koume and Kotake (they might be popular Gerudo twin names) and decided to follow in their footsteps. Also, the Imprisoning War legend is the events of OoT and FSA that, through retellings, ended up as one legend. OoX's Master Sword is not the real thing, it just has the same name. Ganon got from the Four Sword seal to the Sacred Realm between FSA and ALttP when one of the people who got there from one of the natural portals accidentally broke the seal in the Palace of the Four Sword, and the seal was weaker in the Sacred Realm. If the CDi games are to be included, they are some weird dreams that LoZ Link and Zelda had.

Trivia

 * In regard to theories suggesting that The Minish Cap and its successors precede Ocarina of Time, it should be noted that the Hyrule is said to have existed as a unified kingdom beneath the Royal Family long before the events of The Minish Cap, as noted by King Gustaf. The Hylian Royal Family is said to have existed for generations at the time of Ocarina of Time, which precedes the assumed decade when Hyrule was unified, though this would have been before Hyrule was united into one nation under their rule. Given that many generations of rulers apparently have ruled Hyrule between Gustaf's reign and the events of The Minish Cap, this has led some to doubt the assertion that The Minish Cap (and by extension its two successors) could precede Ocarina of Time.
 * It is also curious to note that while Twinrova was killed by the Hero of Time in the adult branch of Ocarina of Time, they are never killed in the child branch. The Gerudo witches reappear in the Oracle games, leaving theorists to try to determine which branch the two games fall into, though the inclusion of Twinrova can perhaps offer some insight here as the sisters were not killed in the child branch of Ocarina of Time, leaving them open to future inclusion in that branch certainly and possibly narrowing the proper placement of the Oracle games to being somewhere in the so-called Child Timeline.