Graveyard

Graveyards are a signature locale in The Legend of Zelda series with at least one appearing in nearly every game, commonly found on the outskirts of Kakariko Village.

The Legend of Zelda
In the originalThe Legend of Zelda, the graveyard is first accessed by correctly navigating through the Lost Woods. It is a bleak, desolate, gray area characterized only by the white tombstones marked with blue crosses. The lone Ghini floating outside is a "ring leader". Slaying that one will slay all others that appear. The strongest sword in the game can be obtained here after Link has twelve Heart Containers in his possession.

In the Second Quest, Level 6 can be found beneath a Tombstone.

The Adventure of Link
The graveyard is located in the Western Hyrule portion of The Adventure of Link, near the coast. Among the regular graves, the King's Tomb is also present. A grave a few steps south from the King's tomb holds a secret entrance to the Island Palace.

A smaller, more desolate graveyard can be found just south of Death Mountain, which represents the graveyard from the original Zelda.

A Link to the Past
In A Link to the Past, the graveyard is located just east of the Sanctuary in the Light World. There is a hole under the westernmost grave that leads to an underground chamber of Hyrule Castle, while the Magic Cape is hidden under the easternmost grave. Poes can be found under certain other graves.

In the Dark World, the graveyard is infested with Poes circling around the graves.

Link's Awakening
A four-screen graveyard can be found on Koholint Island in Link's Awakening. In each portion, one Ghini floats around and more will appear if Link touches one of the graves. In the southeast portion, zombies will appear in addition to the Ghinis. In the northwest portion, a Giant Ghini can be found. In the DX version, the Color Dungeon can be found in the southwest region.

Ocarina of Time

 * See also: Royal Family's Tomb

Behind Kakariko Village lies the graveyard in Ocarina of Time. During young Link's time, the gravekeeper Dampé oversees the graveyard at night to promote his Heart-Pounding Gravedigging Tour minigame, while in the daytime, a little roams around the graves instead. While Dampé is not out patrolling, he is sleeping inside his hut, which is located in the east corner of the graveyard. Within it Link can find Dampé's Diary, which talks about a treasure that he found while digging around.

Poes of many fallen Hyruleans, Hylian Royal Family members, and the Sheikah tribe who founded Kakariko rest in the graveyard, and it is said that the latter watch over the spirits in their eternal slumber. The gravestones that have flowers in front of them can be pulled back to reveal a secret room or underground chamber.

At the back of the graveyard rests the two famous Composer Brothers: Flat and Sharp, whose tombstones are separated by the Royal Family's Tomb. The Royal Family's Tomb, which can only be opened by playing Zelda's Lullaby on the ocarina, houses the Composer Brothers' Sun's Song as well as a poem to go along with said melody.

After Link becomes an adult, he comes back to the graveyard to discover that Dampé has passed away. Link reads the gravekeeper's diary inside his hut, which beckons anyone who reads the text to come to his grave to receive the treasure he found seven years ago. The young hero can uncover Dampé's Grave on the west side of the graveyard to race the deceased gravekeeper and receive the Hookshot from him.

Even farther back, in a ledge high above the graveyard, is a small concealed room with several torches and a sealed door decorated with the Sheikah symbol. Link can only access this chamber once he has learned the Nocturne of Shadow from Sheik. By using Din's Fire in the middle of the room, the torches will light up, opening the sealed door and granting access to the Shadow Temple.

Majora's Mask
The Ikana Graveyard in Majora's Mask is situated to the left upon entering the road to Ikana Canyon. In it, there are numerous Stalchildren and graves. Dampé also makes another appearance, but this time he seems to be completely terrified of ghosts and spirits. Link can enter each of the graves that the Stalchildren are guarding on a specific night; however, Link must only enter one of them in order to progress through the game.

There is also a Goron Graveyard in Snowhead that houses the resting place of the Goron hero Darmani. It is here that Link obtains the Goron Mask.

Present
In Oracle of Ages, the present day eastern Labrynna is home to the Yoll Graveyard, a haunted place filled with many dead trees. Ghosts lurk little outside of Spirit's Grave along with the occasional Ghini.

Past
In the same place as Yoll Graveyard in the past lies the massive Ancient Tomb, a place of mystery. Several strong monster guard this mysterious place. Who, or what, the Ancient Tomb is tomb to has long since been forgotten. The Ancient Tomb hides in its depths the Falling Star, an Essence necessary to Link's quest.

Holodrum
Located in the Southwest corner of Oracle of Seasons's Holodrum. The only access is via a vine growing up the Southern cliff face. Beneath the Northwestern masonry work lies Level 7 Explorer's Crypt.

Subrosia
This cemetery is west of the Pirate's ship.

The Minish Cap
The Graveyard in The Minish Cap is called Royal Valley and contains that game's version of the Lost Woods. Here Link finds Dampé, who lets him in to the Royal Crypt of King Gustaf.

Twilight Princess
In Twilight Princess, the graveyard is also located behind Kakariko Village. It holds the grave of the Zora King, the late Queen Rutela's husband, which, when pushed, reveals the Zora Armor. The graveyard has two Poes. There is also a rather hidden graveyard in Hyrule Castle.

One particular grave in the Hyrule Castle Graveyard lies under a tree. If Link inspects one of the larger tombstones nearby, it reads, "The cursed swordsman... sleeps before... the sacred tree." The "cursed swordsman" may very well be the Hero of Time due to the fact that he sleeps under a "sacred" tree (reminiscent of the Great Deku Tree). If this is the case, then the statement on the tombstone may slightly allude to the demise of The Hero of Time - that which was not a good one. The term "cursed" may refer to Link's curse of repeatedly being reborn again and again to rise up against the evil that threatens Hyrule. It may also refer to Link's curse of transforming into a wolf. This may further reveal the identity of the Hero's Spirit, who is assumed to be Link, the Hero of Time. It should be noted that this particular grave is covered with a stone that Link must destroy in order to step on a switch to open the gate that contains two owl statues so that he can further his quest in this area. If such a grave is tied to such an important aspect (the owl statues - which may or may not be reminiscent of Kaepora Gaebora) then this would further fortify the connection to Link from Ocarina of Time. It could also allude to the Stalfos nearby.

Phantom Hourglass
In Phantom Hourglass there is a small graveyard in the Northwestern part of the Island which was home to nine sages who served under King Mutoh.