Zonai
The Zonai are an unseen prehistoric tribe of barbarians whose existence is marked by ruins and an Armor Set in Breath of the Wild.[1]
Characteristics
While little is known about the Zonai, it is known that they were a savage, warlike tribe from the Faron Region. They were strong magic wielders and are thought to have worshiped a water dragon.[2] Their stone artwork represents the Triforce through the perspective of a prehistoric tribe; they use dragons to represent courage, owls to represent wisdom, and boars to represent power.[3] They constructed several ancient ruins made of stone. Their name comes from their largest ruin site: the Zonai Ruins. Their wild and untamed ways are known by the the fierce power enchanted within their Barbarian Armor Set.[4][5][6] Etched into the stonework associated with this tribe is a spiral symbol, which is considered to be the tribe's crest.[2]
History
Very little is known about this tribe's history, but what is known can be gleaned from the remains of their civilization left behind all across Hyrule.[7] Their established stronghold, the Zonai Ruins, extends through Damel Forest to the Spring of Courage,[8][2] which rests in the heart of Faron.[2]
Breath of the Wild
The Zonai appear to have vanished a long time ago.[2] Many of their relics are tied to the Ancient Shrines,[2] and their powerful Barbarian Set is gifted by the Monks found in Ancient Shrines at the heart of three massive mazes: the North Lomei Labyrinth, the South Lomei Labyrinth, and the Lomei Labyrinth Island. The mazes themselves appear to be related to the tribe, but their exact relationship remains unknown.[9]
Tears of the Kingdom
In the reveal trailer, Link and Zelda are seen exploring a vast cave system which has many Zonai-made stone monuments, such as pillars and animal carvings.[10] In the second trailer, Link is seen using a Weapon attached to a Shield that resembles a Zonai Dragon head sculpture to blow Fire onto an unnamed Enemy.[11]
Trivia
- According to Senior Lead Artist, Makoto Yonezu, the name "Zonai" is an anagram of the Japanese word 謎 (mystery, puzzle)[12]
- The many stone and metal Blocks arranged in odd patterns by the Korok across Hyrule bear the Zonai tribe's spiral mark.
Nomenclature
 Names in Other Regions  | ||
|---|---|---|
| Language | Names | Meanings |
 Japanese | ゾナウ (Zonau) | Corruption of 謎 (Nazo) (mystery) |
 German | Sonau | |
| This table was generated using translation pages. To request an addition, please contact a staff member with a reference. | ||
Gallery
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Boar statue at Faron Woods, as seen in-game
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Dragon statue and pillar at Damel Forest, as seen in-game
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Statues in Ebara Forest, as seen in-game
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Ruins in Faron Woods, as seen in-game
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Guchini Plain, as seen in-game
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Fishing Resort in Lurelin Village, as seen in-game. Note the spiral crest on the side of the building
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Palmorae Ruins, as seen in-game
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Dragon sculpture at the Spring of Courage, as seen in-game
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Entrance to Thyphlo Ruins, as seen in-game
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Thundra Plateau, as seen in-game
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Dragon statue at the Thundra Plateau, as seen in-game
See Also
- Zonai Ruins
- Lomei Labyrinth Island
- North Lomei Labyrinth
- South Lomei Labyrinth
- Thundra Plateau
- Palmorae Ruins
- Thyphlo Ruins
- Faron Grasslands
- Farosh
- Barbarian Set
References
- ↑ Creating a Champion, Dark Horse, pg. 343
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Creating a Champion, Dark Horse Books, pg. 413
- ↑ "The ruins are primarily animal themed, but with the history of the Triforce from an ancient perspective in mind. The designs are symbolic—using dragons (courage), owls (wisdom), and boars (power)." (Creating a Champion, Dark Horse, pg. 342)
- ↑ "Armor once favored by an ancient warlike tribe from the Faron region. The war paint bolsters your fighting spirit and raises your attack power.." — Inventory (Breath of the Wild)
- ↑ "These leg wraps were favored by a warlike tribe from the Faron region long ago. They're adorned with traditional markings that bolster your fighting spirit to raise your attack power." — Inventory (Breath of the Wild)
- ↑ "A helmet once worn by the warriors of an ancient warlike tribe from the Faron region. Wearing it draws out your inner animal, increasing your strength and battle prowess." — Inventory (Breath of the Wild)
- ↑ "Ruins with similar patterns to the Zonai Ruins is scattered widely across Hyrule." (Nintendo Magazine, Winter 2021, pg. 16)
- ↑ "Ruins in the Faron Woods thought to be home to a mysterious ancient tribe. The Spring of Courage is found within." (Creating a Champion, Dark Horse Books, pg. 359)
- ↑ "These giant mazes were built long, long ago. They appear to have some similarities to the Zonai Ruins in Faron, but whether or not there is a connection between them is unknown. Regardless, both were constructed in areas that are inaccessible to the average person." (Creating a Champion, Dark Horse, pg. 342)
- ↑ Nintendo, Sequel to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild - First Look Trailer - Nintendo E3 2019 , YouTube (video), published June 11, 2019, retrieved June 23, 2021.
- ↑ Nintendo, Sequel to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild - E3 2021 Teaser - Nintendo Direct , YouTube (video), published June 15, 2021, retrieved June 23, 2021.
- ↑ "And, yes, their name is a pun. "Zonai" is a take on nazo, a word meaning "mystery" in Japanese. [laughs]" (Creating a Champion, Dark Horse, pg. 342)