About The Legend of Zelda

The creation

According to ancient tales, the world was created by three goddesses:

  • The symbol of Din, three red wavy lines.

    Din

    The goddess of power created the land.

  • The symbol of Nayru, three purple circular shapes in the form of a triangle.

    Nayru

    The goddess of wisdom created order.

  • The symbol of Farore, three green circles nestled within each other.

    Farore

    The goddess of courage created life.

The triforce

Before they left the world they created, the three goddesses created the Triforce—a magical object made up of three golden triangles—and entrusted it with the goddess Hylia.

The Triforce grants a wish to those who possess the three virtues of the goddesses: power, wisdom,and courage. If one doesn’t have the proper balance of virtues, the Triforce will split into three pieces. Only by reuniting all three pieces can the true power of the Triforce be obtained.

Throughout time, the Triforce has chosen a select few to wield its individual powers:

Triforce of Power

Ganondorf, the dark lord who seeks to overthrow Hyrule, possesses the Triforce of Power.

Triforce of Wisdom

Zelda, the noble princess of Hyrule, who carries The Triforce of Wisdom.

Triforce of Courage

Link, the brave young hero who bears the mark of The Triforce of Courage.

The history of hyrule

Each game in The Legend of Zelda series tells an important part of the history of Hyrule. Trace their paths through the various eras in this comprehensive timeline.

The Legend of the
Goddesses and the Hero

Where a world and a hero are born.

Creation

The Creation of
the Land and Sky

The Era of the
Goddess Hylia

The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword

Armed with the Goddess Sword, Link leaves his home on the floating island of Skyloft to rescue his childhood friend, Zelda, who has been kidnapped.

Skyward Sword

The Ancient Battle and the
Reincarnation of the Goddess Hylia


The Return to the Surface

Sky Era

Era of Chaos

The Sacred Realm
is Sealed

Era of Prosperity

The Establishment
of Hyrule Kingdom

Force Era

The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap

Link must shrink to the size of a bug to restore the Picori Sword and save Hyrule from the evil Vaati.

The Minish Cap

The Rise of the Evil Vaati

The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords

The evil sorcerer Vaati has risen again. Now Link must use the Four Sword to split into four heroes to defeat him and save Princess Zelda.

Four Swords

The Resurrection of Vaati

Era of the Hero of Time

(Child Era/Adult Era)

Hyrulian Civil War

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time

Ganondorf has claimed the Triforce and taken over Hyrule. Link must now summon the seven sages to imprison the villain and save the kingdom.

Ocarina of Time

The Sacred World Becomes the
Dark World

Ganondorf Becomes
Demon king Ganon

The fate of the hero

At this point, time splits into two paths—one where the hero of Hyrule is victorious, and another where he falls in battle.

The Decline of Hyrule

and the Last Hero

Where the Demon King rises to threaten Hyrule.

-

The Imprisoning War

Era of Light and Dark

The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past

Young Link is awakened by a telepathic message from Princess Zelda, who has been locked in the depths of Hyrule Castle by Agahnim, an evil wizard.

A Link to the Past

The Resurrection of Ganon

The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening

Stranded on Koholint Island, Link searches for eight musical instruments that will help him escape.

Link's Awakening

The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages and
The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons

Link is summoned to Hyrule Castle by the Triforce itself, beginning a parallel set of thrilling adventures.

Oracle of Ages / Oracle of seasons

The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds

Link leaps into a 2D world to stop a mysterious villain named Yuga, who is turning people into paintings.

A Link Between Worlds

The Legend of Zelda: Tri-Force Heroes

Three heroes must unite to take on a witch known as The Lady, who has cast a curse on the princess of Hytopia.

Tri-Force Heroes

Golden Era

The Monarchs of Hyrule
Use The Triforce

Era of Decline

The Tragedy of Princess Zelda I

The Legend of Zelda

A young boy named Link must travel to Death Mountain and defeat the pig-like monster, Ganon, to restore peace to the kingdom of Hyrule.

The Legend of Zelda

The Resurrection of Ganon

Zelda II: The Adventure of Link

A teenage Link embarks on a journey to awaken the sleeping maiden, Zelda, and learn the origin of the Triforce.

The Adventure of Link

The Resurrection of Ganon
is Prevented

Time splits again

After the events of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, the timeline splinters yet again, this time between the Child and Adult timelines. Choose a path to reveal Hyrule's different destinies.

The Twilight Realm
and the Legacy of the Hero

Where both the Moon and shadow fall.

The Sacred Realm
Remains Protected

The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask

Link must travel through time to stop the moon from wiping out the entire planet.

Majora's Mask

The Demon Thief,
Ganondorf, is Executed

-

Twilight Era

The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess

A humble ranch hand named Link is thrust into battle to save the Kingdom from being engulfed in darkness.

Twilight Princess

The Shadow Invasion

Shadow Era

The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures

Four versions of Link must work together to defeat the mysterious Shadow Link.

Four Swords Adventures

The Reincarnation of Ganondorf


The Resurrection of Vaati

The Hero of the Winds
and a New World

Where a great flood consumes the land.

Ganondorf is Sealed

Era Without a Hero

Ganondorf is Resurrected


Hyrule is Sealed and then Flooded

Era of the Great Sea

The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker

A young boy named Link must travel the seas to rescue his sister, Aryll, who’s been kidnapped by a giant bird.

The Wind Waker

Ganondorf is Resurrected

Era of the Great Voyage

The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass

Link must find the necessary items to forge the Phantom Sword to defeat a life-eating monster named Bellum.

Phantom Hourglass

New Continent Discovered

Era of Hyrule’s Rebirth

A New Hyrule Kingdom
is Founded

The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks

Link and Princess Zelda set out on a train-bound adventure to uncover the mysterious disappearance of the Spirit Tracks.

Spirit Tracks

Demon King Malladus is Resurrected

Glossary