Rauru


 * This article is about the character from Ocarina of Time. For the town in The Adventure of Link that goes by the same name, see Rauru (Town).

Rauru is an ancient Hylian and the Sage of Light in Ocarina of Time. He is one of the ancient Sages and possibly the only remaining one. He lived in the Temple of Light, located in the Sacred Realm, for many centuries guarding the Triforce.

Ocarina of Time
Link met Rauru after opening the Door of Time and drawing the Master Sword from the Pedestal of Time. Rauru recognized Link as the destined hero and kept him with him in the Sacred Realm for seven years so that in the safety of the Light Temple, he would become old enough to actually assume the role of hero. Rauru spoke with Link for the first time after those seven years, informing him of what had happened and what he was supposed to do as the hero. After instructing him to awaken the other Sages, Rauru gave him the Light Medallion.

Rauru contacted Link again when he had freed the other five Sages. He told Link to meet "someone" waiting at the Temple of Time before facing Ganondorf. This person turned out to be none other than the seventh Sage, Princess Zelda. Unfortunately, by revealing herself to Link, Ganondorf also was finally able to find her. Rauru then instructed Link to save Zelda and told him that he and the other Sages would aid him by providing entrance to Ganon's Castle. When Link defeated Ganon, Rauru led the other Sages when they used their powers to seal away Ganondorf.

Unlike the other Sages, Rauru was not seen at the ending of Ocarina of Time, possibly indicating that he stayed in the Light Temple.

The Wind Waker
Rauru did not appear in The Wind Waker, although one of the stained glass windows in Hyrule Castle's basement depicted him.

Kaepora Gaebora
It is believed by some that Kaepora Gaebora is the physical manifestation of Rauru outside of the Sacred Realm, which he uses to travel Hyrule, not unlike the way The King of Red Lions does. One argument for this theory is that a Gossip Stone refers to Kaepora Gaebora as "the reincarnation of an ancient Sage". Some also consider the quote of another Gossip Stone that Kaepora Gaebora's "character is rather lighthearted", a reference to Rauru's position as the Sage of Light. However, Kaepora Gaebora himself has a quote that seems to contradict this theory. During the future part of Ocarina of Time, he can only be seen once, and at that time, remarks that he "thought that the tales of a boy who could travel back and forth through time were merely a legend". If Kaepora Gaebora and Rauru really were one and same, Kaepora Gaebora should know that Link can travel though time. Although this could be an ancient prophecy which Rauru did not believe and he was merely expressing his surprise that it turned out to be true. In addition, a figure that bears resemblance to Rauru in Skyward Sword is named Gaepora, a name that bears resemblance to Gaebora.

Some speculate that sages are able to 'pass on' their power and title as a sage. Proof of this is implied when Makar, as a Korok, became the next Wind Sage, when the former Wind Sage was Fado, a Kokiri. Also, the quote above might hint that a former Sage of Light was Kaepora, but over time, he gave his title and ability to Rauru. How one becomes a sage is unknown.

Trivia

 * Rauru, aside from the seventh sage, is the only Hylian Sage in Ocarina of Time. This causes speculation that each sage is chosen from a race to represent an element. Considering that Rauru is the Sage of Light, this may most likely be a way to connect the Hylian race to the element of light.
 * Rauru, like several other characters from Ocarina of Time, inspired a town featured in The Adventure of Link to be named after him (that is the in-universe explanation anyway, in fact it was his name that was reused by the Zelda team from a town in the previous game).
 * Rauru's role is similar to that of the unnamed sage from The Adventure of Link, in that he is a guardian of the Triforce.
 * King Daphnes Nohansen Hyrule is similar to Rauru both in appearance and in the fact that he is a wise man who aids Link in his quest. Additionally, both of them seem to have traits that seem to imply that they may be spirits who give Link guidance from beyond the grave.
 * The character Auru from Twilight Princess seems to be a reference to Rauru.