The Century-Long Vigil: How Does Zelda Live for 100 Years in Breath of the Wild?
Princess Zelda’s century-long existence in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild isn’t due to simple longevity. Instead, it’s a consequence of her unwavering dedication to sealing Calamity Ganon. She achieved this feat by channeling her sacred power, specifically the power of the Goddess Hylia residing within her bloodline, to create a powerful magical barrier around Hyrule Castle and the surrounding area. This barrier effectively trapped Calamity Ganon, preventing his full resurgence and widespread destruction. However, maintaining this barrier for a century came at a significant cost: Zelda was essentially frozen in time within the castle, her physical form sustained by her own divine power focused entirely on containing the ancient evil. While Link slept in the Shrine of Resurrection, healing from his wounds, Zelda stood as Hyrule’s sole defense, a timeless guardian against the encroaching darkness. This wasn’t a life of ease or comfort, but a century of desperate struggle, pushing her abilities to their absolute limit.
Understanding Zelda’s Power and Lineage
Zelda’s ability to perform this incredible feat stems from her lineage as a descendant of the Goddess Hylia. In the Skyward Sword timeline, Hylia relinquished her divinity to be reborn as a mortal, Zelda, in order to enact a plan to defeat Demise. This divine bloodline grants Zelda access to extraordinary magical abilities, including the power to seal evil, manipulate time, and wield the Triforce of Wisdom.
This power, while potent, requires focus and training. Throughout the events leading up to the Great Calamity, Zelda struggled to awaken her dormant abilities, causing friction with her father, King Rhoam. However, when faced with the imminent threat of Calamity Ganon, her powers finally manifested, allowing her to erect the barrier that saved Hyrule from complete annihilation.
The Sacrifice of Timelessness
The critical point to understand is that Zelda’s “agelessness” wasn’t a natural phenomenon, but a direct consequence of her actions. She was effectively sacrificing her own life force to fuel the sealing barrier. Her physical form was sustained, but she was trapped in a temporal stasis, dedicating all her energy to holding back Ganon.
This is why Link’s awakening after 100 years is so crucial. Zelda’s power was waning, and the barrier was weakening. Without Link’s intervention, Calamity Ganon would have eventually broken free. Zelda’s century-long vigil bought Hyrule time, providing a window of opportunity for the hero to return and ultimately defeat the ancient evil.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Zelda and the Timeline
Here are some frequently asked questions to further explore the intricacies of Zelda’s story and the wider world of Hyrule:
How did Link sleep for 100 years?
Link sustained fatal injuries during the Great Calamity. To save his life, Princess Zelda instructed Purah to place him in the Shrine of Resurrection on the Great Plateau. This shrine utilizes advanced Sheikah technology to heal even the most grievous wounds through a process known as the Slumber of Restoration. A side effect of this process is memory loss.
Why can’t Zelda save herself?
This is a recurring theme in many Zelda games, reflecting classic storytelling tropes. However, in Breath of the Wild, Zelda actively fights Calamity Ganon for a century. While she needs Link’s ultimate power and the Master Sword to permanently defeat Ganon, her actions were instrumental in preserving Hyrule. This question can also spark discussions about gender roles in gaming, a topic explored in the Games Learning Society community at GamesLearningSociety.org.
Why does Link not age?
In Breath of the Wild, Link’s lack of aging is directly tied to his time in the Shrine of Resurrection. The Slumber of Restoration heals and preserves him, effectively halting his aging process for the duration of his slumber. In the broader Legend of Zelda series, “Link” is a recurring hero, a spiritual successor chosen by the goddesses, so each iteration has a different age.
How does Ganon live so long?
Ganon’s longevity is attributed to the Curse of Demise. Demise, the ancient demon defeated by Link in Skyward Sword, cursed the hero and the goddess (Hylia/Zelda) to be reborn and locked in an eternal cycle of conflict. The Triforce of Power, which Ganon often wields, also grants him immense power and resilience. Even when defeated, Ganon’s essence lingers, allowing him to revive in new forms.
What is the oldest Legend of Zelda game?
The Legend of Zelda for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), released in 1986, is the first game in the series. It introduced the core elements of the Zelda universe, including the open world, nonlinear gameplay, and iconic characters.
How old was Zelda when her mom died?
King Rhoam’s journal in Breath of the Wild reveals that Zelda’s mother passed away when Zelda was only six years old. The cause of her death is stated as “sudden and unexpected,” bringing considerable sadness to the King and impacting Zelda’s childhood.
What does Zelda say when Link wakes up?
The first words players hear in Breath of the Wild are Zelda’s disembodied voice saying, “Open your eyes…” This sets the stage for Link’s reawakening and his quest to save Hyrule.
Which Zelda game was 10,000 years before BotW?
The first Great Calamity, the event that preceded the events of Breath of the Wild by 10,000 years, is referenced throughout the game. This calamity saw the Sheikah technology used to defeat Ganon, only for him to corrupt it later.
Is Link LGBTQ?
This is a topic of ongoing discussion within the Zelda fan community. While Nintendo has not explicitly defined Link’s sexuality or gender identity, many fans interpret the character in various ways, creating LGBTQIA+ fan content and theories.
Why does Link look like a girl?
This perception is subjective and influenced by cultural beauty standards. Nintendo has stated that they aim for a more androgynous design for Link in some games, like Breath of the Wild, to make him more relatable to a wider audience. The goal is to create a hero that players can project themselves onto, regardless of gender.
Is every Zelda a reincarnation of Hylia?
Only the Zelda in Skyward Sword is a direct reincarnation of the Goddess Hylia. Subsequent Zeldas are descendants of Hylia’s bloodline, inheriting her power and destiny. This is a crucial distinction as it explains why each Zelda possesses similar abilities but isn’t necessarily a reincarnation of the same soul.
Can you keep playing Zelda after you beat it?
In Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, the game returns to the state before the final boss fight after the credits roll. This allows players to explore the world, complete side quests, and gather collectibles, even after “beating” the game.
Why is her name Zelda?
Shigeru Miyamoto, co-creator of the Legend of Zelda series, named Princess Zelda after Zelda Fitzgerald, the wife of author F. Scott Fitzgerald. Miyamoto admired Fitzgerald’s strong and independent spirit.
How old is Link actually?
Link’s age varies across the series. In the original Legend of Zelda, he’s around ten years old. In Ocarina of Time, he’s initially nine and later aged up to sixteen. In Breath of the Wild, he appears to be around 17, though his actual age is technically 117 due to his century-long slumber.
Why is Link always a child?
Link isn’t always a child. While some iterations of the character are young, others are teenagers or young adults. The age of Link often depends on the story being told and the challenges he faces. The design is also influenced by anime aesthetics, which often feature characters with youthful appearances.