Hylian Cosmology

More then any other topic, each new Zelda release greatly adds to our understanding of Hylian Cosmology, the perceived physical and spiritual properties of the Zelda Universe. The connection between Ganon and the Dark Realm, the intercessions of Hyrule's ever growing body of dieites or the nature of time itself are all ecompassed by this, the most mind-boggling branch of timeline theory.

Is Time Constant?
For the sake of sanity, many suggest that the mechanics of time must remain constant throughout the series. In this, they then fail to understand how Nintendo produces its games. Game story takes a backseat to gameplay, and series consistency takes a backseat to individual game stories. This system results in often-inconsistent Time Mechanics which are quite game-specific. Theorists have adjusted to this, and no longer accept "cross-overs" of specific principles.

The major issue is that of "mutability": Is it possible to change the past? Sometimes it seems as if Zelda Time is mutable, much like Back to the Future or the Marvel comics Universe where in someone who travels to the past ends up changing the future. At other times, it is quite obvious that Zelda Time is immutable, and, as in Harry Potter 3, traveling to the past keeps the future constant. In a specific game, it cannot be both (though it often seems that it would be easier that way) and theorists must work to determine the true nature of time.

Individual Methods of Travel
OoT Travel

The following can be logically concluded from observation of Ocarina of Time:


 * Each object exists within a "personal history", which, through alteraions of the past, may be muted. Magic Beans, originally not planted, may become so. The Ocarina, which originally did not travel to Termina, may do so. The mastersword, which was once held by Link during his seven year coma, can now spend those seven years at rest.


 * Grand interaction between these objects, however, creates a larger "Universal History" which is "semi-mutable", maintaining a constant course but allowing for the minor alterations in the "histories" of individual objects. Thus Link's affairs with the Windmill Man are possible in an immutable timeline. Link will beable to learn the Song of Storm's before teaching it, and work in the past to create the future, rather than alter it.


 * All Transport is physical. Link's body moves as a whole between the two time periods as an entire entity, carrying all his items with him. This may result in "Two Links" (one being the other's future self) existing simultaneously.


 * When Link journeys to the Future, he simply sleeps for [approximately] seven years. There is very little magic involved here, no changes occur besides those which would naturally happen over such a period.


 * When Link journeys to the Past, he is physically reverted to that state he was in when he left. However, he also retains the important items he had gained in the future. Whether or not this process returns to Link items he lost in the future is a point of some debate. The trademark "column of blue light" that appears when Link draws or replaces the Master Sword can, as a rule, be noted to signify this type of time travel.

MM Travel


 * Time is Mutable. Link's goal throughout the entirity of this game is to change the future. It may even be the case that, in returning Link to Dawn of the First Day, The Godess of Time annihilates the future he just lived. It is then as if it had never occured.


 * All Transport is physical. Link's body is literally ripped from the spacetime spectrum and sent back in time to the Dawn of the First Day. He will appear in the past in the exact state he was in when he played the Song of Time, carrying all his items with him. However, he replaces his past self upon arrival, preventing more than one Link from existing simultaneously.


 * When Link journey's to the future, he simply stands in one spot for a number of hours. There is very little magic involved here, no changes occur besides those which would naturally happen over such a period. One could technically say that this is not time travel at all, but, rather, a method of accelerating time.


 * Certian MM gameplay mechanics, such as change in the contents of chests, seem to work against this nature of time. As these mecahnics are always seperate from the main storyline, they are considered to have no bearing on timeline theory. [Again, see the "If It's Not Important to the Plot, Assume It Doesn't Happen" principle.]

OoA Travel

Mutable

FSA Travel


 * Time is mutable. Travel is FSA is nothing more than a way for incompetent players to make up for their past mistakes.


 * All Transport is physical. The Links moves as wholes between the two time periods as entire entities, carrying their items with them. However, they "replace" past selves upon arrival, preventing more than four Links from existing simultaneously.


 * There is no Future Travel in FSA.


 * Past Travel in FSA seems to mirror that of MM.

Time Related Arguments
Is the Sacred Realm Timeless?

It is very often suggested that the Sacred Realm either exists outside of Hyrule's Timeline or is entirely timeless in itself. It is argued that, if this is the case, Ganon's sealing at the end of OoT would somehow extend into the past and alter history, sparing history from him altogether.

There is another school of thought that believes that the Realm's "timelessness" merely extends to its having no plane of "time" as we know it in and of itself. They support this idea by citing the fact that Ganon is often said to have been sealed within the Realm for decades--even centuries--without seeming to noticeably age. This has no real effect on the timeline, but serves as a way to describe Ganon's seemingly timeless state while sealed there.

Dissenters quickly point out that Link ages seven years in the Sacred Realm (supporting that it is temporal) and that seven years passed simultaneously in Hyrule (supporting that there is no difference in their "times"). It is also suggested that the concept of "timelessness" is beyond human imagination, inherently unknowable, and completely irrelevant.

Traditionally, it is a quick yet reoccurring argument. A new theorist will suggest the idea, and will be so steadfastly opposed that he quickly withdraws.

How does OOT's last instance of Time Travel opperate


 * Now it is time for me to make up for my mistakes...
 * You must lay the Master Sword to rest and close the Door of Time...
 * However, by doing this, the road between times will be closed...

Shortly after speaking this benediction, Zelda wisks Link away with a song. When we next see the Hero of Time, he is again but a child, stepping away from the pedestal of time in a familiar pillar of blue light. What happened in the interim, and what happens next?

The simplest explanation (as well as the most common amongst non-theorists) is that Zelda has sent Link directly back in time, mimicking the powers of the pedestal of time, and allowing him to close the Door of Time in the past.

However, it is often pointed out that the portal Zelda creates apears to be exactly the same as those portals used at the end of temples to carry Link to the Temple of Light. Further, Link could not possibly have "returned the sword to its pedestal" in the past, as his younger self cannot bear the sword. Based on these convictions, it is arguable that Zelda simply sends Link to the Temple of Light/Time, where he can carry out her orders as they were given, returning the Master Sword, closing the Door of Time, all before making his way back to the past.

In the end, the only difference is the state of the Door of Time in the past; opened or closed. Both possible states benefit and contradict the timeline in some way, and the final conclusion a theorist draws will be nothing more than a personal opinion.