THE SYMBOLISM OF ZELDA

Perhaps embedded with the very fabric of Zelda is a more hidden puzzle that few will notice, and perhaps no one will solve. This requires a very intuitive anylization of the storyline, the characters, and the subtle symbolizm. We know little of what Miyamoto feels about his place in the grander picture of existence i.e. religion, but perhaps from his artwork, the Zelda games, we can see deeper into the man or deeper into an unseen notion of existence described by the circumstances he created real.

There are many simplistic yet sublime messages conveyed within the rudiments of the Zelda games. The first main unmistakable symbolic representation is the Triforce. This triunified entity acts as the beholder of all existence and the conduit for man's ambition. The triangle is the most simple yet stable and strong polygon. Notice when many things are supported it is with triangular bracing. The whole pathagorean theorem was devised from this simple geometric concept. Many mathematical constants and proofs have their foundation rooted with the triangle. But beyond the math, the very core story of Zelda tells us that this triangle of triangles is composed of three sections impowered with the three virtues of existance, power, courage, wisdom. Without any one of these philosophical aspects the whole would fall, and in this too if any one of these fails within the heart of a person that that person would fall. Only the bearer of all three sections/virtues would be complete. This use of three is often repeated philosophically in history in religious practaces of many varied type. This demonstration of the unity of wholeness is often reflected in Far Eastern theology and belief as well. Without a doubt, Miyamoto knew it meant something to create an emblem, symbol of wholeness called the Triforce. Perhaps to him it was something he strived to attain within himself, and with this in mind he subtly infused his creativity with this concept.

One thing is for certain, Zelda has little or no overtly Christain themes, and this may be a shock to some who believe strongly in Christianity and its convictions, but Zelda incorporates some Pagan or classical religious elements into its storyline. Now, I don't want any Christains out there to feel like I'm trampling on their religion because I believe that each person has the right to choose his or her own path to greater understanding about their place in existance and their connection to a potentially greater controlling or master force. This is only an observation that I have made. In Zelda we learn that three goddesses, Nayru, Farore, and Din created Hyrule with the magic or essense of each vitrue; power, courage, and wisdom. With these same virtues they crafted the Triforce, and also this land Hyrule bore fairies that were channelers or conduits of this energy, and many diversified races including mer-people (the Zora), elf-people (the Hylians), and Gerudo's (Female only, except for Ganondorf). A strange cycle transpires in Hyrule, every three hundred years a hero is reincarnated to protect the Triforce, an idol representing the unification of the virtues, from being taken by a man/evil entity with an impure heart who also reincarnates during a time when the magical bond that holds him in his own dimension (hell? Purgatory?) is weakened. At this same time each incarnation the mysterious Princess Zelda is caught in a struggle between the evil and the good. She is a kind of voice of the Triforce and receives messages from it telepathically. She is a teacher as well as a guide for the hero, Link. His name even signifies his connection with time and history, he IS a Link in a chain to all that is to be or was. He is the Legendary Knight descended from prior Legendary Knights that maintain the stability as well as sanctity of the Goddesses' beloved land of Hyrule. Throughout the Zelda games many objects or talismans are endowed with magical or spiritual powers. For instance in Zelda 64 the elements are symbolized with medallions and Link uses spells

An educated gamer may notice that there are more little nuances in names that will intregue to say the least. For instance in Zelda 64 the horses name is Epona. Epona is the Celtic horse god. Isn't Miyamoto Japanese? Make's you think. On Link's Shield and on Zelda's Dress you will notice that the Triforce is underscored by a red bird ascending or perhaps supporting the Triforce. This bird is very similar to Native American depictions of the Condor God as well as the historical reference of the phoenix, a bird that rises from the ashes of its former self to be reborn anew. Isn't Link reborn. Is there a deeper meaning behind the phoenix? Here's even a more remote one that I would have never picked up if someone hadn't told me. Nabooru is very similar to a Sumarian God called Nabiru, (I think I spelled it right, but is said verbally exactly like Nabooru). There is also an archeologist/theologian who reasearches Sumarian and pre-Biblical history by the name of Zacharia Sitchin who has written many non-fiction books on the Sumarian Gods called The Earth Chronicles. He touts with numerous kinds of archeological proof that what the Nabiru was is some kind of alien entity from a distant planet, and that early civilizations knew of this Earth-Extraterrestrial (that's right Aliens!) connection through their own primative viewpoint. I've seen the books, and they're pretty deep. Someone would need almost a Ph. D. in pre-duluvial (before mysterious flood) theology and history to understand it. What this all brings into question is - What on earth posessed Miyamoto to put a word like that in the game (going all the way back to Zelda II: The adventure of Link). I don't think it's coincidence in light of all the other things I've pointed out. Does Miyamoto believe in aliens? Surely this should make more than a few gamers wonder.

On this page I've pointed out many embedded symbolisms and hidden messages within the Legend of Zelda and Zelda 64. I hope it gets you to think more about the Zelda games, and about their enigmatic creator. You can make of this page what you will, and come to your own determination as to the hidden meanings in Zelda. Sometimes what we see on the surface isn't always what's inside. Remember what Sheik said, A childish mind will turn to noble ambition...

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