Graveyard

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

The Legend of Zelda
In The Legend of Zelda on the Nintendo Entertainment System, 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 the Second Quest, Level 6 can be found beneath a Tombstone.

The Adventure of Link
The graveyard is located in the Western Hyrule 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 Link to the Past
In A Link to the Past on the Super Nintendo, the graveyard is just east of the Sanctuary. 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.

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 portion.

Ocarina of Time
Behind Kakariko Village lies the graveyard in Ocarina of Time. The gravekeeper Dampé oversees the graveyard at night, while his apprentice walks its paths in the daytime. Poes of many fallen Hyrulians, Hylian royal family members, and the Sheikah tribe who founded Kakariko rest in the graveyard. Some of their gravestones can be pulled back to reveal a secret room or underground chamber. After Link becomes an adult, he will discover that Dampé has died. Dampé rests in a new grave. Within that grave, Link can obtain the Hookshot.

The Sun's Song can be learned within one of the larger catacombs beneath the graveyard in Kakariko.



Majora's Mask
The 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 also refer to Link's curse of 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.