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 alterations 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 master sword, 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 be able 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 entirety 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 Goddess of Time annihilates the future he just lived. It is then as if it had never occurred.


 * 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.


 * Certain MM gameplay mechanics, such as change in the contents of chests, seem to work against this nature of time. As these mechanics are always separate 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

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 operate


 * 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, standing in front of 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.

Pantheon
Like any fantastic setting, Hyrule has its fair share of deities. Though only the three creator goddesses play a continuing role in the series, the collection of quirky minor gods continues to grow.

Creator Goddesses
Name: Din

Creation role: Creator and Cultivator of the physical earth

Associated Aspect: Power

Associated Color: Red

Associated Element: Fire

Associated Race: Goron/Gerudo

Associated Triforce Piece: Upper Most

Associated Magic: Din's Fire

Associated items: Goron's Ruby, Din's Pearl

Associated Oracle: Oracle of Seasons

Associated Province: Eldin

Associated Light Spirit: Bird

Name: Nayru

Creation role: Originator of Natural Law

Associated Aspect: Wisdom

Associated Color: Blue

Associated Element: Water

Associated Race: Zora/Rito

Associated Triforce Piece: Left Most

Associated Magic: Nayru's Love

Associated items: Zora's Sapphire, Nayru's Pearl

Associated Oracle: Oracle of Ages

Associated Province: Lanayru

Associated Light Spirit: Snake

Name: Farore

Creation role: Creator of Life

Associated Aspect: Courage

Associated Color: Green

Associated Element: Forest

Associated Race: Kokiri/Korok

Associated Triforce Piece: Right Most

Associated Magic: Farore's Wind

Associated items: Kokiri Emerald, Farore's Pearl

Associated Oracle: Oracle of Secrets

Associated Province: Faron/Ordon

Associated Light Spirit: Squirrel/Goat

Other Deities
Goddess of Time

Hoping that this mysterious Diety will protect the young Hero of Time on his MM adventures, Zelda demonstrates to Link how the Ocarina of Time may be used to curry the Goddess's favour. Though some theorists suggest that this may only be an alternate title for Nayru, thee is no canon that supports this interpretation.

Terminan Giants

These enourmous demi-gods who ordered the world of Termina were incapcitated by the servants of Majora's Mask. Link spent most of his three day cycles waking these ancient gaurdians as only they can prevent the immenent appocolypse.

Zephos and Cyclos

Zephos is a calm and peaceful lord of the winds, his brother Cyclos a ferocious master of gales. These cloud-riding froglike gods both eventually came to the assistance of the Hero of Winds, greatly inceasing the ease with which he could cross the great sea.

Twilight Guardians

According to Midna, the infusion of the power of the Sols into the Mastersword represents a blessing of her worlds gaurdian dieties. Hardly anything is known of these mysterious shadow gods, and they may simply be a twilit myth.