Princess Zelda

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This Protagonist was Headlined on March 2013.

Do-gooder
Full Name	Zelda
Alias	Princess of Hyrule Princess Zelda The Princess Highness Seventh Sage Sage of Light Spirit Maiden Sheik Hyrule's Wise Princess
Origin	The Legend of Zelda
Occupation	Princess (Except for Skyward Sword) Student (Skyward Sword) Sage Cleric Scholar (Breath of the Wild) Ninja (as Sheik)
Powers / Skills	Powerful magic Premonition Luminokinesis Shapeshifting Telekinesis Telepathy Teleportation Conjuration Din's Fire (fire generation, in Smash Bros solely) Farore's Wind (teleporting, in Smash Bros solely) Nayru's Love (energy barrier, in Smash Bros solely) Master Archer Swordsmanship (presumably) High Intelligence Vast Wisdom
Hobby	Singing. Archery practice. Fencing. Playing the ocarina Having Tea parties. Knitting. Playing the harp. Fixing her hair. Dressing up. Going on picnics. Bathing. Praying.
Goals	Defeat Ganon/Ganondorf. Save the world from evil threats. Protect and lead her kingdom of Hyrule (all ongoing).
Family	King of Hyrule (father) Queen of Hyrule (mother) Prince of Hyrule (brother; The Adventure of Link) Royal Family of Hyrule Gaepora (father; Skyward Sword) Tetra (Great-great-grandmother; Spirit Tracks) Rhoam Bosphoramus Hyrule (father; Breath of the Wild) King Rauru (ancestor; Tears of the Kingdom) Queen Sonia (ancestor; Tears of the Kingdom)
Friends / Allies	Link (love interest) Impa Midna Lana Ralph Ravio Princess Hilda Tri
Enemies	Ganondorf/Ganon (archenemy; evil counterpart) Zant Vaati Dark Link Ghirahim Yuga Null Hollows Astor
Type of Hero	Magical Monarch

Princess Zelda is the titular deuteragonist of Nintendo's The Legend of Zelda franchise.

Zelda is the name for several female members of Hyrule's Royal Family who play an integral role in the history of Hyrule. Though each is the titular heroine of The Legend of Zelda series, the actual player character is Zelda's respective Link.

Princess Zelda is not one individual, rather multiple individuals born into the Royal Family of Hyrule in The Legend of Zelda series. An almost completely unique incarnation of Zelda or one of her alter-egos has always been one of the central characters in the series. Each one varying in age and appearance, although nearly all incarnations take the form of a beautiful woman or girl with long hair (usually blonde).

Most incarnations of Princess Zelda are portrayed as the possessor of the Triforce of Wisdom, and many also possess several magical abilities, such as telepathy, shapeshifting, and the ability to conjure powerful magical blasts. She is the archenemy of Ganondorf and is often kidnapped by him or battles against him and gives aid to Link.

Appearance

Princess Zelda is not one individual, but rather the name is given to any females born within the Royal Family of Hyrule. Except for two games, an incarnation of Zelda or one of her alter egos has always been one of the central characters in the series.

In most incarnations, Princess Zelda is often shown as a beautiful and elegant princess (either as a child, teen or young adult) with the notable exception of Skyward Sword, where she is depicted as a commoner girl.

Zelda is a slender, light-skinned girl with usually long and blonde hair, although in early games, she is depicted as having red hair (due to pixel limitations), and in Twilight Princess, she is depicted as being a brunette, and is usually loose or tied into a braid. Princess Zelda almost always wears a long, pink and white dress that always displays the Hyrulian Crest on it, as well as a tiara to show her title of royalty.

In most games, she wears high heels, but in Twilight Princess, Skyward Sword, and her traveler outfit in Breath of the Wild, she wears boots, and in more recent incarnations (such as her ceremonial dress in Breath of the Wild and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate), wears sandals.

As Sheik, she appears to be masculine looking with blonde hair tied into a braid with a white turban and red eyes. She wears a bandage wrap around her and body and wears a blue suit with her mouth covered and a red Sheikah mark on her chest.

Personality

Zelda is described as kind, loyal, virtuous, and benevolent ruler who deeply cares for the people of Hyrule and will do anything to keep them safe and is not afraid to come to their assistance whenever they need help. Zelda's wisdom is also extraordinary, as her decisions often reflect upon the wisest decisions to help the Kingdom she rightfully rules. Also, Zelda is known to be a forgiving individual, even to those who have previously and regularly harmed or threatened to kill her (such as Ganondorf). Even on the rare moments she has insecurities and feels envious as she can't do that Link does, she usually keeps her feelings to herself and regrets it when she lashes out at him. After he saves her from a Yiga Clan assassination attempt, Zelda finally realizes how wrong she has been treating Link and goes great lengths to apologize and mend and improve their relationship.

Biography

Origin

It was revealed by Hyrule Historia that when the kingdom of Hyrule was established during the Era of Prosperity, the queens were often named Zelda after their ancestor, the mortal incarnation of the Goddess Hylia, from the events of Skyward Sword.

One of the first princesses to go by the name was put into a deep sleep. The Prince of Hyrule, who felt guilty about his sister's tragic fate, declared at all future princesses would hold the title of Princess Zelda to honor his fallen sibling.

Unified Timeline

Skyward Sword

Main article: Zelda (Skyward Sword)

The earliest incarnation of Zelda and reincarnation of the Goddess Hylia. Unlike her descendants, she is not a princess, and instead the daughter of Knight Academy headmaster, Gaepora.

The Minish Cap

Main article: Princess Zelda (The Minish Cap)

A childhood friend of Link and bearer of the Light Force. Zelda is turned to stone by Vaati while protecting Link but is she eventually restored by the power of the Four Sword and repaired Hyrule with the Minish Cap.

Four Swords

Main article: Princess Zelda (Four Swords)

A version of Zelda that maintained the sealed placed on Vaati until the monster broke free and kidnapped her to be its bride. She is eventually rescued by Link wielding the Four Sword.

Ocarina of Time

Main article: Princess Zelda (Ocarina of Time)

This incarnation of Zelda foresaw Ganondorf attempting to steal the Triforce from the Sacred Realm and tried to stop him with Link's help. Unfortunately she was unsuccessful, and secretly assisted Link oppose Ganondorf seven years later as Sheik.

Downfall Timeline

A Link to the Past and Oracle Series

Main article: Princess Zelda (Era of Light and Dark)

This Zelda was kidnapped twice in attempts to bring about Ganon’s return. First by the sorcerer Agahnim sometime after escaping from Hyrule Castle with Link's help, and secondly by Twinrova to be used in rites to revive Ganon. In both scenarios, she is saved by Link.

A Link Between Worlds

Main article: Princess Zelda (A Link Between Worlds)

Zelda was imprisoned in a painting by the sorcerer Yuga to free Ganon from imprisonment as part of a plot to obtain the Triforce. She manages to assist Link during the battle against Yuga at Lorule Castle by giving him the Light Arrows.

The Legend of Zelda

Main article: Princess Zelda (The Legend of Zelda)

This version of Zelda shatters the Triforce of Wisdom to prevent Ganon from obtaining it. Link must gather all its pieces from across the land before he can rescue her from Ganon's clutches.

The Adventure of Link

Main article: Princess Zelda (Zelda II: The Adventure of Link)

This is the incarnation of Zelda that was placed under a deep sleep by a wizard when she refused to indulge information about the Triforce. She would eventually be awakened and free of the curse by Link years later.

Child Timeline

Majora's Mask

Main article: Princess Zelda (Ocarina of Time)

The same version of Zelda from Ocarina of Time but in an altered timeline where Link warns her about Ganondorf's treachery, resulting in his capture. She appears in a memory to remind Link about The Song of Time.

Twilight Princess

Main article: Princess Zelda (Twilight Princess)

Zelda surrendered herself to the false monarch Zant in order to protect her subjects and is held captive at Hyrule Castle. She uses her power to save Midna's life and her body was used as a puppet by Ganondorf.

Four Sword Adventures

Main article: Princess Zelda (Four Swords Adventures)

Zelda is kidnapped by Dark Link along with six other maidens on behalf of Ganon to free Vaati. She is saved from Vaati by Link and assists him with the other maidens to seal Ganon away.

Adult Timeline

The Wind Waker and Phantom Hourglass

Main article: Tetra

This version of Zelda is actually a pirate leader named Tetra who meets Link on Outset Island after being pursued by a giant bird. She helps him find his kidnapped sister and eventually learns of her destiny as a princess.

Spirit Tracks

Main article: Princess Zelda (Spirit Tracks)

Era of the Wilds

Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom

Main article: Princess Zelda (Era of the Wilds)

Unknown Placement

Echoes of Wisdom

Main article: Princess Zelda (Echoes of Wisdom)

Hyrule Warriors Series

Hyrule Warriors

Main article: Princess Zelda (Hyrule Warriors)

Hyrule Warrios: Age of Calamity

Main article: Princess Zelda (Era of the Wilds)

Power and Abilities

Princess Zelda is shown to possess several magical powers. Zelda is capable of using magic to conjure a bow as a weapon. She is also capable of using telepathy to speak to individuals mentally and assist them. Zelda can use her magical powers to fire magical blasts as a form of defense and can teleport from one place to another. In many of her incarnations, Zelda can transform her appearance as a form of disguise, such examples include Sheik and Tetra. And as the descendant of the first Zelda who is the Goddess Hylia reborn as a mortal, Zelda has divine powers, best shown when she manages to seal Calamity Ganon inside Hyrule Castle and keep him there for a hundred years.

As Sheik, she can only use one weapon: the Goddess Harp. She also packs lots of Kunai as well. The Goddess Harp allows Sheik to play the various Ocarina of Time songs to utilize various elemental attacks, yet the weapon deals damage of the Lightning element only, which is also the Goddess Harp's element.

As a ghost, Zelda isn't limited to just using magic to get things done unlike most ghosts in the series, but can possess enemies, even if she is limited to just Phantoms. She's also the only one who isn't actually dead.

External Links

• Princess Zelda on the Heroes Wiki
• Princess Zelda on the Koei Wiki
• Princess Zelda on the Legend of Zelda Wiki
• Princess Zelda on the Nintendo Wiki