Lanayru (Spirit)

Lanayru is one of the four Light Spirits in. It protects the Lanayru Province and appears in the form of a serpent. Lanayru is named after the dragon of the same name from the Era of the Goddess Hylia.

Lanayru is the only Light Spirit that has a shrine built around its spring. Also mentioned is the fact that local Hylians make regular visits to pay respect to the spirit.

Biography
As part of Zant's plan to take over Hyrule, the Shadow Beasts were ordered to steal the light of the Spirits. When Link succeeds in dispelling the Twilight from the Lanaryu Province and restores the Spirit's power, Lanayru explains how the Fused Shadows were formed by the power of a race of magic wielders, known as the Dark Interlopers, in an attempt to control the Sacred Realm. However, before they were successful, the Goddesses summoned the three light spirits to intervene. The light spirits sealed away their magic into the Fused Shadows, and the Dark Interlopers were chased across Hyrule into the Gerudo Desert, where they were then banished to the Twilight Realm by the Goddesses.

When Zant attacks Midna and Link at Lanayru's spring after they find the last Fused Shadow, Lanayru appears and attempts to attack Zant, but is knocked back. Zant then magically forces Lanayru to shine its light on Midna, gravely injuring her. Along with the other Light Spirits, Lanayru heals Midna at the end of the game.

Etymology
A meaning for the name Lana is "to float". This is fitting since Lanayru lives on water. Although, is it similar to the name Laranyu, meaning "graceful". Lanayru is a reference to the water goddess Nayru.