Why Does Link Have Purple Hair? The Truth Behind the Iconic Hue
The question of why Link’s hair sometimes appears purple in The Legend of Zelda series is a common one amongst fans, and the answer is less about a canonical color choice and more about technical limitations and artistic expression. While many players fondly remember Link with a striking purple mane, especially from A Link to the Past, this is not his “true” hair color. The in-game sprite was rendered with a purple or pink hue to make Link more visible and vibrant against the often darker backgrounds of the game. It was a stylistic choice, not a deliberate character design, to ensure he didn’t blend in. In essence, purple hair in older Zelda games is a visual necessity born from the technology of the era and an artistic desire for visual vibrancy, not an intended character trait.
The Evolution of Link’s Hair Color
Early Depictions: Brown and Gold
In the early days of the Zelda franchise, Link was consistently depicted with brown hair. The original Legend of Zelda, Adventure of Link, and A Link to the Past (in its official artwork) all feature Link with a golden-brown or light brown hairstyle. Even the cartoon adaptation based on Adventure of Link showcased him with brown hair, reinforcing the intention that this was his initial and intended hair color. These choices showcase a more natural and grounded look for the hero.
The Shift to Blonde: Ocarina of Time
The series saw a significant shift with the release of Ocarina of Time. Here, Link was presented with blonde hair, a design that has largely persisted in the 3D games. The shift to blonde was possibly an effort to portray Link as more youthful and heroic, given that the move to 3D graphics allowed for more detailed character models and more diverse color pallets.
The Pink Hair Mystery: A Link to the Past In-Game
A Link to the Past presents the most interesting case for purple/pink hair. As mentioned, the in-game sprite of Link was designed with pink hair, while official artwork and the instruction manual showed him with blonde or light brown hair. This is where the confusion typically arises. This in-game choice was purely for visual clarity and to prevent Link from blending into the backgrounds. It wasn’t a change to his character’s intended hair color, but rather a necessity of the Super Nintendo’s limited color palette and the desire to make the hero stand out on screen. The pink is often perceived as purple due to color rendering limitations of older displays.
Symbolism of Purple Hair
Although purple hair was not intentional, it does evoke certain symbolic connections. Purple as a color is often associated with royalty, spirituality, and imagination. The pigment used to create purple dyes was historically rare and expensive, making it a color reserved for the elite. Furthermore, purple is seen as a color of fantasy and creativity, as Einstein said, “Imagination is the spark of genius”. This perception of purple adds an intriguing dimension to the character of Link, even though it wasn’t a planned character trait. The hue gave a visual punch that was, despite its accidental origins, undeniably striking.
FAQs: More About Link’s Appearance
Here are some frequently asked questions that delve deeper into Link’s appearance and character:
1. What was Link’s original hair color?
Link’s original hair color, as depicted in the early Legend of Zelda titles and associated artwork, was brown. The golden-brown hue is common in the initial game depictions.
2. Why did Link’s hair change to blonde in later games?
The transition to blonde hair in Ocarina of Time and subsequent 3D titles was likely a stylistic choice to present Link as more youthful and heroic in the new 3D environment. It allowed for more vivid color use and definition in the character model.
3. Is Link’s hair pink or purple in A Link to the Past?
Link’s in-game sprite in A Link to the Past is often perceived as having pink or purple hair. This was due to the technical limitations of the SNES console and not a canonical color choice. The official artwork and instruction manual show Link with his usual blond hair.
4. Why does Link look androgynous?
Link is designed to be androgynous, meaning he has both male and female qualities. This is intentional, making him a self-insert character so that players of any gender can easily identify with him and project themselves into his role.
5. Who is the strongest version of Link?
Many versions of Link are quite powerful, but there are some that stand above others. Some of the strongest versions of Link are considered to be: Hero Of The Kingdom, Hero of the Wild, Dark Link, Goddess’ Hero, and Hero of Time.
6. Was Link originally intended to be a girl?
While Link is a male character, the developers aimed for a neutral gender representation in Ocarina of Time so that players could see him as either a boy or a girl if they wanted. There have been no real hints that his original intention was to be a female.
7. Why didn’t Link have a fairy in the beginning of Ocarina of Time?
Link didn’t have a fairy at the beginning of Ocarina of Time because he isn’t a Kokiri; he’s a Hylian who was raised by the Kokiri. Only Kokiri are naturally granted a fairy, hence Navi’s late arrival.
8. Has Link ever been a girl in the canon games?
While there has been a female version of Link in some artwork, Link has always been the male protagonist in the canon games. There are not any main games that depict a female version of Link.
9. Why does Link wear a blue earring?
In Japanese culture, blue represents coolness, purity, and intelligence. These symbolic meanings add depth to Link’s character as a hero, giving him a “hero vibe” and the ear piercing is symbolic of Japanese trends.
10. What is the rarest natural hair color?
The rarest natural hair color in the world is red, with only one to two percent of the global population having this hair color.
11. Why does Link wear green clothes?
Link’s green tunic was selected due to the limitations of the NES color palette. Green was chosen because of the prevalence of forests in the game’s world and also to reflect some of the lore in the Zelda universe.
12. What does having blue hair mean?
Blue hair is often associated with tranquility, calmness, and self-confidence. It’s often seen as a way for people to express themselves outside of typical standards of beauty.
13. Is it possible for someone to be born with purple hair?
No, humans do not have the necessary pigments to naturally produce purple hair. The two pigments in human hair are eumelanin (black/brown) and pheomelanin (red).
14. What is the significance of blue hair within the LGBTQ+ community?
Blue hair can be a form of self-expression and can be linked to an individual’s identity, and preferred pronouns, but ultimately, it’s a personal decision.
15. Are Link and Zelda in love?
There has been no canon confirmation that they are in love, but they do share a very deep and caring relationship. Link is always there to support Zelda, and Zelda always believes in Link. Many fans will point to the clear bond they have throughout the series as a form of love.
Conclusion
Link’s purple hair in some older games isn’t a deliberate character trait but rather a result of technical and stylistic choices. While the in-game sprite of A Link to the Past may have given us a version of Link with this particular hue, the intent of the character designer was to depict him with brown or blonde hair. This journey through Link’s many appearances reveals how artistic choices, technical constraints, and even a bit of player interpretation, all contribute to the iconic hero’s enduring legacy. The truth about his “purple hair” is a story of visual necessity combined with the player imagination that makes the games so special.