Proving the Placement of Hyrule's Founding

Proving the Placement of Hyrule's Founding Period, Using In-game & Supplemental Evidence

An original Legend of Zelda theory, by Jacob “Lorulean Historian”
Created December 20, 2024 | Edited April 10, 2026

Above: Comparing the first pages of the history sections from both Breath of the Wild Master Works (left) and Tears of the Kingdom Master Works (right).

Abstract

This paper argues that the founding of Hyrule depicted in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom represents the original establishment of the Kingdom of Hyrule, rather than a later refounding or isolated mythic cycle. Through a comparative analysis of in-game dialogue, environmental storytelling, and supplemental developer materials—most notably Master Works texts for both Tears of the Kingdom and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild—this study reconstructs a coherent chronology placing Rauru and Sonia’s reign at the deepest recoverable stratum of Hyrulean history.

Special attention is given to the original Japanese terminology used to describe early eras of the world. These terms demonstrate that the Zonai civilization and Hyrule’s founding occupy the same prehistorical horizon later remembered only through legend. This framework also helps to resolve long-standing ambiguities regarding why events traditionally associated with the Hero of Time—particularly those of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time—are treated in-universe as myth, despite their apparent narrative specificity.

Building on this foundation, this work further examines the nature of Ganondorf’s repeated appearances throughout history. It proposes a distinction between the original Demon King sealed during the Imprisoning War and later manifestations of Ganon as embodiments of accumulated malice and hatred—sustained through ritual, legacy, and cyclical resurrection. This model reconciles statements describing Calamity Ganon as the revenant grudge of an ancient being with depictions of Ganondorf as a Gerudo king in subsequent eras.

Ultimately, this study contends that Tears of the Kingdom functions not as a revision or contradiction of established Zelda chronology, but as a mytho-historical clarification—providing an “eyewitness” account of events that later ages could only preserve as fragmented legend. By aligning linguistic, textual, and archaeological evidence across sources, the paper offers a unified reading of Hyrule’s origin that preserves continuity across the series while embracing its intentionally layered approach to history and myth.

Reader’s Note

All of the translations provided here were translated by myself, Jacob “Lorulean Historian”, unless stated otherwise.

Chapter I

Primary Quotes

The history given in Breath of the Wild Master Works does not go as far back as that given in its counterpart for Tears of the Kingdom. But both appear to cover information from the same period—the history of Calamity Ganon. This history occurs only after the Imprisoning War; thus, after Hyrule's founding.

As indicated on page 355 of Breath of the Wild Master Works, the origin of Hyrule is an event so far back in the mists of time that it’s faded into myth:

ハイラル王国には長い歴史があり、 その起こりについては神話 と呼ばれるほど遠い昔のことになる。 それから繁栄と衰退を繰り 返しているため、 伝承が真実であるのか、 お伽話であるのか、今 となってはわからないのである。

The Kingdom of Hyrule has a long history, and its origins date back to a time so long ago that it’s referred to as myth. Furthermore, it has experienced a cycle of prosperity and decline, and it’s now impossible to say whether the legends are true or merely fairy tales.

In Memory 4, “An Unfamiliar World”, Princess Zelda reflects:

神話としてしか語られていない遥か昔…本当にハイラル建国の時代なのですね…

A time so long ago it’s spoken of as only a myth… This really is the era of Hyrule’s founding, isn’t it…

For additional context, Breath of the Wild Master Works is expanded further on the next page, detailing points of historical significance from the other races. And under the Zora line, during this “long ago” time period in Hyrule’s history, the story of Zora princess Ruto and her fight against an ambitious villain who threatened Hyrule—a.k.a., Ganondorf—is included:

ゾーラ王家にルト誕生。賢者として覚醒しハイラル王家の姫や勇者と共に戦う。

Ruto is born to the Zora Royal Family. She awakens as a sage and fights alongside a hero and a princess of the Hyrulean Royal Family.

The above quote is also substantiated by in-game text; in particular, the Zora History Tablet no.7. I will post that quote in Addendum IV. But there is more:

ナボール……神話に謳われる ゲルド族の賢者。その縁の名を頂いた あんたも 立派なゲルドだよそうだろ？ナボリス

Nabooru…Gerudo sage celebrated in myth. You who bear her name are also a worthy Gerudo. Isn’t that right, Naboris?

— Gerudo Champion Urbosa, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

伝説から名付けその名の由来が判明しているのは2体。神獣ヴァールッタは太古の昔にゾーラ王家に生まれた王女ルトから名付けられた。また、神獣ヴァーナボリスもゲルド族のナボールが由来であるという、両者とも、賢者としてハイラル王家の姫や勇者とともに悪しき者と戦ったと伝わっている。

Two of the name origins used in their christening can be established from legend. Divine Beast Vah Ruta was named for Princess Ruto born to the Zora royal family. And the origin for naming Divine Beast Vah Naboris comes from Nabooru of the Gerudo. It’s been handed down that they battled against the Evil One together as sages alongside the hero and the Hyrulean princess.

— Breath of the Wild Master Works, P.361

In this way, those events that seem to refer to The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time appear to occur only after Rauru and Sonia founded their kingdom of Hyrule. And both of the Master Works texts appear to agree on that point.

This does, however, leave the “how” of it all quite vague and open to interpretation. How did Ganondorf reappear later, and threaten Hyrule as if for the first time? Was the Gerudo King from the Era of the Hero of Time a natural born Gerudo male made king, or was something else going on? While it leaves such things unsaid, this silence allows the space for us to work it out. Perhaps, as Instrutilus suggests, the Ganon we met in Ocarina of Time onward was simply a vessel borne of the original's hatred and malice—the “Incarnation of Darkness.” Perhaps this being was put together by Twinrova, Koume and Kotake, who then brainwashed the remainder of the Gerudo into believing he was their trueborn king?

Or, as proposed by RevADB, the Gerudo witches Twinrova—who ruled the tribe from behind-the-scenes—adopted the once-in-a-century males of the tribe as they were born, in order to raise them for their dark purposes. They found the perfect surrogate about 300 years after the Imprisoning War in a Gerudo boy with an unquenchable thirst to rule the world. They named this child after Demon King Ganondorf. This new Ganondorf would go on to steal the Triforce of Power and become the new Demon King. He would later transform into Dark Beast Ganon after his ambitions were challenged by the Hero of Time wielding the Master Sword, Princess Zelda, and the other sages at the climax of Ocarina of Time. Ganon would become a figure of Hyrulean myth and legend, resurrecting time after time in Hyrule’s history. And after a long time, Ganon would lose his reason and be consumed by hatred, transforming through malice into the Calamity.

Deduction

With what has been presented, it seems most likely to me that the developers intended this to be a clearer depiction (a sort of “eye witness account”) of the founding of Hyrule Kingdom as we know it.

Chapter II

The Age of the Zonai

この彫刻も…
やまり ここにあるものは 私の持つゾナウに ついての知識に合致するものばかりです
ゾナウは 遥か昔^[7] 神話の時代にあったとされる文明
神の如き力を持ち 天空で栄えたといわれますが…
多くの歴史書で語られながらも その全容は あまり分かってない 謎の多い文明なのです

This carving…
It seems to concur with what information I have pertaining to the Zonai.
The Zonai were a civilization that existed long ago, in the Era of Myth.
It’s said that they once flourished in the sky, and possessed god-like powers…
Many history books tell of them, but their full story is not understood. They remain a very mysterious civilization…

— Princess Zelda, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

ハイラル創生の時代。その存在だけが伝わっている…。それが ゾナウ文明なのです

Hyrule’s Era of Creation. Only its existence has become known… That is the Zonai civilization.

— Princess Zelda, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

The first quote suggests that the time period in which the Zonai existed, as well as Hyrule's founding, were considered to be "long ago" and in the "Era of Myth". Both of these terms were used as the title and subtitle for the segment in Breath of the Wild Master Works pertaining to the history quotes in the prior section. I believe this to be further evidence that, despite using different descriptive titles in Tears of the Kingdom Master Works, these passages are almost certainly meant to cover information from the same time period.

The second quote confirms that the Zonai civilization’s existence is linked to the “Era of Creation”—that primordial time when the world of Hyrule was wrought by the Three Golden Goddesses.

Additionally, Master Works also refers to the entire age of the Zonai as 神代 (jindai), a term specifically from Japanese mythology which refers to the mythical age prior to the ascension of Emperor Jimmu—their first ruler. It is the ‘Age of the Gods’. This period covers the whole of time immemorial when the gods first created and then populated the world. With this in mind, the notion that the Zonai existed before any recorded history is further expounded upon.

Chapter III

The Calamity called Ganon

太古より栄えし王国ハイラル…その歴史は ある者との戦いの歴史でもありました  
災いをもたらし幾度滅びても蘇る者…その名をガノンという厄災です  
しかしハイラルには王国を護る宿命を持って生まれ出でる者達がありました…
勇者の魂を持つ剣士と 女神の血を引く聖なる姫…いつの時代にも ガノンと戦うべく姿を現した者達です

Since ancient times the kingdom of Hyrule has prospered… But its history is also one marked by battles against a certain threat.
They brought calamity, and have resurrected despite being defeated time after time… This Calamity has been called Ganon.
But here in Hyrule there were those that were born with the fate of protecting the kingdom…
A swordsman who possessed the spirit of a hero, and a sacred princess descended from the Goddess…  These were the ones who appeared over the ages to oppose Ganon.

— Impa, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

 厄災とは 太古の昔に生まれし魔王が 怨念となり復活した姿

The Calamity is the resurrected form taken by the grudge of the Demon King born long ago…

— Impa, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

厄災ガノンの正体…… それは太古の昔 この国に生まれた魔王が怨念と化して復活した姿なのだ
ガノンは伝説や伽話に現れる者として語り継がれてきた

Calamity Ganon’s true identity…… It is the resurrected form taken by the grudge of the Demon King born in this country long ago.
Ganon is a figure who appears in the legends and fairy tales that have been passed down for generations.

— King Rhoam Bosphoramus Hyrule, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

It would appear that Ganon—in all of his appearances throughout Hyrulean history—has been considered so destructive that he brought only disaster; he is calamity made flesh. For this reason, the people of Hyrule by the time of Breath of the Wild and its sequel refer to him simply as ‘Calamity Ganon’.

Chapter IV

How the Tapestry Calamity May Be the Inevitable Return of Ganon Post-Adventure of Link

Breath of the Wild Master Works, P.360:

This passage follows the breakdown of the cycle of calamity, where Ganon was driven back time and time again by a hero and a sacred princess. Most importantly, though, it comes before the events detailed by the Calamity tapestry—the time when Hyrule prepared for the inevitable return of Ganon some 10,000 years ago.

And on that note, this isn't the first time we've heard of a threat of Ganon's revival being repelled, either!

Let us turn now to the Hyrule Historia for clarification.

Hyrule Historia, P.106:

Hyrule Historia, P.109:

Hyrule Historia, P.109:

These quotes from Historia paint the picture of a formerly grand Hyrule Kingdom ready to usher in a shining new Golden Age of peace and prosperity. It also saw the prevention of the imminent threat of Ganon's revival—a Ganon noted to have been bereft of intellect. With the power of the gods restored to the land, preparations could well be made to repel Ganon's inevitable return to Hyrule.

Compare those with the following.

Breath of the Wild Master Works, P.357:

All together, this sets up the events detailed in the Calamity tapestry to an uncanny degree. The tapestry describes a kingdom prospering through the use of advancements made by the Sheikah—a tribe who loyally served the Hyrulean royal family. Their objective was to ensure Hyrule’s peace by eliminating any threat that would endanger it, and that included Ganon.

The “contingency plan” of the Gerudo witches may even be responsible for how Ganon continues to revive in the world in virtually every age: the dark rites of the Gerudo, passed down through untold ages.

Koume and Kotake, Oracle of Ages:

It is further implied by Zelda’s lady-in-waiting, Lenalia, in Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment that Ganondorf’s phantoms are the result of a dark ritual from the depths of the Gerudo Desert—information that is itself suggested and confirmed in both Tears of the Kingdom and its Master Works as valid. Thus, both this and the ritual to summon Ganon’s spirit into a vessel are a set of “Dark Rites” passed down by the Gerudo loyal to Ganondorf.

Chapter V

Consider the Following

This chapter will focus on collecting additional quotes in Japanese, along with their translations. A summary of the information these snippets reveal will be included at the end.

私の祖先 ハイラル王家の祖は・・・

My ancestor—the forebear of the Hyrulean royal family…

天より降臨せし 神の一族と結ばれ 生まれてといわれています

It's said that they were born from a marriage with the gods that descended from the sky.

この壁画を信じるなら 天より降臨せし一族とは ゾナウ族・・・

If this mural is to be believed, then those beings who descended from the sky were the Zonai…

その一族と大地のハイリア人が交わり やがて興った国が・・・

They must have fostered relations with the Hylians of the surface, and before long they established this country…

ハイラル王国・・・

The Kingdom of Hyrule…

— Princess Zelda, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

これは異な事をハイラルは我らが興した国 私以外に王はおらぬ筈だが?

How unexpected. We founded this land of Hyrule, and it shouldn't have any other king apart from me?

— King Rauru, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

ゾーラ王ドレファン これに記すー

一族の民に愛され ゾーラの守護神に仕える見目麗しい活発な姫であったと伝えられている

だが同じ時 世を支配せんと野望を抱く者が現れ ゾーラの里も彼の者が放つ災いに襲われた。

その時 ルトは賢者となり ハイラル王家の姫や 勇者と共に 野望抱く者に立向かったという

その偉大なる功績はゾーラは元よりハイラルの歴史にも深く刻み込まれている

後の世で 厄災ガノンに立ち向かうべく造られた神獣ヴァ・ルタはルトに肖り名付けられたのだ

そしてルッタの主にゾーラの姫我娘ミファーが選ばれたのも運命が成した技なのかもしれぬ

Zora King Dorephan says this—
It is said that there was once a beautiful and lively princess who was beloved by the clan's people, who attended to Zora's guardian deity.
But at the same time, there was someone who harboured ambitions to rule the world, and Zora's Domain too was struck by the calamity that person had unleashed.
At that time Ruto became a sage, and — together with a princess of Hyrule’s royal family and a hero — faced the one who harboured those ambitions.
Those magnificent achievements are not only deeply etched in Hyrule’s history, but also Zora's.
Ages later, in order to oppose Calamity Ganon, the Divine Beast Vah Ruta was built. It was christened in Ruto's name.
Perhaps it was fate, then, that my daughter Mipha, princess of the Zora, was chosen to master Ruta.

— King Dorephan (Zora History Tablet, Part Five), The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

一ゾーラの学び 第2章一 偉大なる祖ルト

ゾーラ王子 シドある伝承をここに記す―

その昔 ゾーラの王家に蛇行する川のごとくおてんばな姫がいたという

高貴さと無邪気さを併せ持ち民に愛されたその姫の名はルト

ある時 ハイラルを支配せんとする者が現れ平和なゾーラの里に大きな災いをもたらした

逃げ惑う民たちで沸き立つ水面を戦いに敗れた兵士の屍が流れたと記されている

そのときのルトは里の惨状が映る目に涙を溜めながらも

弱き者たちを避難させ 自らは川の流れに逆らい滝を上り敵に挑んだと伝わっている

いずれの伝承も戦いの詳細こそ伝えていないがハイラル王家の姫と勇者の助けを借りて

ルト姫たち精鋭はついにはハイラルを救った･･･物語はそう結ばれている

里の子供たちのはしゃぐ声を聞きながら私シドは今 あらためて思う

偉大なるおてんば姫ルトの勇気を受け継ぐことそれがゾーラ王家の末裔たる私の使命なのだと

“A Lesson of the Zora, Part 2: The Mighty Ancestor, Ruto”

Zora prince Sidon writes down this legend:
Long ago, it is said that there was a princess of the Zora royal family who was like a meandering river.
This princess’ name was Ruto, and she was beloved by the people for both her nobility and her innocence.
At one time, someone trying to rule Hyrule appeared, and the peaceful Zora’s Domain was met with a terrible calamity.
The water’s surface roiled as the people fled, and it’s written that the bodies of soldiers slain in battle flowed downstream.
At that time Ruto wept as she gazed upon the Domain’s disastrous state.
It has been passed down that, as the weak fled, she herself went against the river’s flow and climbed up the waterfall in order to face her foe.
The details of that battle have not been passed down in either legend, though with the aid of a hero and the princess of the Hyrulean royal family…
…Not only was Ruto and the others praised for saving Hyrule, but their story was bound together.
As I listen to the merry voices of the Domain’s children, I, Sidon, reflect upon this once more:
It is my duty, as a descendant of the Zora royal family, to inherit the courage of the mighty tomboy princess, Ruto.

— Prince Sidon (Lessons of the Zora, Part Two), The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

偉大なる初代王 この地深く 魔王を封印す
我ら 王の封印を 強固とする為 聖域を張る その要として ここに城を築くものなり
これ失われし時 聖域も失われ 魔王 時と共に復活し
その憎悪と怨念が この地に解き放たれん
即ち 城の永続は 王国の繁栄に繋がるものなり
ここに 恒久の安寧を願って

Our mighty first king sealed the Demon King deep below this land.
To strengthen the king's seal, we erected this castle and affixed it as the sanctuary’s cornerstone.
When this is lost, then the sanctuary will also be lost, and the Demon King will resurrect over time.
That hatred and malice will be unleashed upon this land.
In other words, the kingdom’s prosperity is linked to the castle’s permanence.
We pray for its eternal peace.

— Royal Hidden Passageway (plaque), The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

ハイラル王国の建国

女神ハイリアの生まれ変わりであるゼルダの血を引く者が、ハイ ラル王国を建国。時の神殿があるハイラルの中心地に城を構え、聖地とトライフォースを密かに守る。

王家には、血を濃く受け継いだ特別な力を持つ者が多く生まれ、 王女には、歴史上の伝説から名をとってしばしばゼルダと名づけられるようになった。

“The Founding of Hyrule Kingdom”

A descendant of Zelda, who was the reincarnation of Goddess Hylia, founded the kingdom of Hyrule. A castle was built in the center of Hyrule, near the Temple of Time, to secretly guard the Triforce in the Sacred Realm.

Many individuals born into the royal family possessed extraordinary powers which ran thick in their bloodline, and princesses were repeatedly named ‘Zelda’ from historical legend.

— Hyrule Historia, P.077

女神ハイリアをルーツとするハイリア人

人間に転生した女神ハイリアを祖とする 「ハイリア人」は、もっとも神に近い存在とされ、特徴である長い耳は「神の声を聞くため」と言われている。かつてはさまざまな魔法の力を使いこなしていたが、ハイリアの血が薄れるとともに力を使える者は少なくなっていった。しかし王家の人間は依然その血が濃く、とくに王女に強く表れては、ハイラルが危機に瀕したときにその力を示してきた。

力を使う素質を持った者は、時代により巫女、賢者(P.020) として名を連ね、尊ばれることがある。

“Goddess Hylia is regarded as the origin of the Hylians”

Said to have long ears able ‘to hear the gods’, and considered to be the closest to the gods, the ancestor of the ‘Hylians’ is the Goddess Hylia reincarnated as a mortal. Once capable of mastering diverse magical powers, the blood of Hylia faded over time and those able to use such powers diminished. But that bloodline ran strongest amongst the royal family, and its princesses were particularly powerful, often demonstrating their power whenever Hyrule faced a crisis.

Those with innate powers have often been recorded throughout the eras as priestesses, and even honored as sages (P.020).

— Zelda Encyclopedia, P.010

ゾナウ族はハイリア人の祖?

ハイリア人の耳が大きいのは、神の声を聞く ためだという伝承がある。もしもこの伝承のル ーツがゾナウ族にあったとすれば、説得力が増 してくる。なぜならばゾナウ族の特徴もまた「大きな耳」であり、神の使いといわれる種族だからである。

ゾナウ族はハイリア人よりも体格が大きく、 大きな耳をもつため、より原始に近い姿であったと想像できる。もしかすると実際に神の声が 聞こえていたのかもしれない。「神の声を聞くために耳が大きい」といわれた民族は、もともとはゾナウ族のことなのではないだろうか。

同じ特徴や、似たような謂れをもつゾナウ族とハイリア人。実は「ゾナウ族が元祖ハイリア人なのではないか」という考えが、現在ハイラルではもっともホットな説として歴史学者たちの話題になっている。それくらい共通点が多い のだ。

ではどこで枝分かれしたかといえば、ゾナウ 族が空に移る際と考えるのが有力である。己 の意思で地上に残った、あるいは万が一の危機回避のため一部を地上へ残す手段を選んだのかもしれない。それらゾナウ族が別の進化を 遂げた種族、それこそがハイリア人のルーツな のではないか。

その根拠のひとつとして、ゾナウ族の歴史を紐解くなかで天上期にさまざまな部族との交流の痕跡が見つかったのに対し、ハイリア人の存在については曖昧なのである。

ゾナウ族が再び地上に戻り、種の存続として選んだ相手はハイリア人であった。同じルー ツをもつために、惹かれあうように交流が生まれていったのかもしれない。

“The Zonai: The Ancestors of the Hylians?”

There is a tradition that the Hylians have such large ears to be able to hear the voice of the gods. Though if this tradition has its origins with the Zonai, it becomes much more convincing. This is because the Zonai also have the trait of “large ears,” and their tribe is regarded as the messengers of the gods.

The Zonai have a larger physique and they also possess larger ears than the Hylians, so it could be supposed that they’re closer to a more primitive form. Thus, the race referred to as “having such large ears to hear the voices of the gods” may have originally been the Zonai.

There may be a reason why the Zonai and the Hylians share the same characteristics and such similar origins. In fact, the hottest theory amongst Hyrulean historians right now is, “Could the Zonai be the original^[9] Hylians?”. That’s just how much they have in common!

As to when this branching off took place, the most likely explanation is that it occurred when the Zonai left for the skies. There may have been some who remained on the surface of their own volition, or they may have chosen to leave a part of their race on the surface in order to avert some crisis should one ever occur. These Zonai would have developed into a distinct tribe, which may be the origins of the Hylians.

One reason for this is that, while there has been some evidence found of the Zonai interacting with the other tribes in their historical records, concerning the presence of the Hylians, things remain unclear.

When the Zonai returned once more to the surface, they chose Hylians as their partners for the continued survival of their species. Perhaps their mutual attraction and mingling was born from them sharing the same origins?

— The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Master Works, P.453

ハイリア人とゾナウ族との交流

地上には見た目も文化も異なるさまざまな部族がいるなかで、ゾナウ族はとくにハイリア人と交流を深めたと考えられる。その理由として、ハイリア人とゾナウ族は外見や能力こそ異なるものの、文化観と生活環境が大きく掛け離れていなかったことが挙げられる。そのころのハイリア人は現代よりもいささか原始的ではあったものの、衣類をまとい、大地に住居を構えて生活し、食器を使って食事をとり、言語を用い、婚姻関係を持つ･･････といった基礎的文化がすでに形成されていたと推定されているからだ。ゾナウ族が深く交流を持つに差し障りはなさそうだ。

また、秘石の守護を任されているゾナウ族にとってハイリア人が敬虔な女神信徒であることも、きっかけとして大きかっただろう。ハイリア人にとってもゾナウ族は、女神の任を受けた高位の存在なのである。ハイリア人は自然とゾナウ族に従い、ゾナウ族もまた彼らを慕うハイリア人と親睦を深めたことは、自然な流れだったと想像できる。

ゾナウ族の身体的特徴

ゾナウ族は、地上のどの部族とも異なる身体的特徴をもっていた。顔はハイリア人と比べて鼻筋が長く鱗のようなものがあり、龍や狼などの獣に近い骨格をしている。体格は長身で細身かつ胴長で股下が短い。また、長く大きな耳を有する。

そして、ゾナウ族は双眼のほか額に第三の目を持っている。これは特別な力を発するときだけ開眼するもので、通常の目のようにものを見るための視覚器官ではないようだ。

“Interactions between the Hylians and the Zonai”

Among the various surface dwelling tribes that differ in appearance and culture, the Zonai are thought to have interacted particularly well with the Hylians. One reason for this is that, although the Hylians and the Zonai differ in appearance and ability, their cultural views and living environments are not too dissimilar. While the Hylians were somewhat more primitive than they are today, it is thought that they already had a basic culture with their use of clothing, living in dwellings on the land, eating with tableware, using a language, and performing marriage…….There seems to have been no impediment for the Zonai to interact deeply with them.

The fact that the Hylians are devout goddess worshippers would also have been a major catalyst for the Zonai, who were entrusted with the guardianship of the secret stones. To the Hylians, too, the Zonai existed as a high-ranking race, entrusted by the goddess. So, the Hylians naturally followed the Zonai, and it can be imagined that the Zonai naturally deepened their friendship with the Hylians, who likewise adored them.

Physical Characteristics of the Zonai

The Zonai people had physical characteristics that differed from any other tribe on the surface. Unlike the Hylians, the Zonai possess scales and a long snout, and their skeletal structure is more akin to dragons, wolves, and other beasts. Their physique is tall and slender, with a long torso and short inseam. They also have exceptionally long, large ears.

In addition to their two eyes, the Zonai also have a third eye on their forehead. This eye opens only when they make use of their special powers, and it does not seem to be a visual organ for seeing things like a normal eye would be.

— Tears of the Kingdom Master Works, P.381

女神ハイリア

三大神が去った後、トライフォースと世界は女神ハイリアに委ねられる。ところがトライフォースを狙って地の底から邪悪なる者たちが現れた。彼らは魔族(P.094) として恐れられ、その魔の根源は「終焉の者」と呼ばれるほどの強大な力で世界を支配しようとした。戦う力をもたない人間たちは女神に泣きすがるしかなかった。女神は大地の一部を切り取り、トライフォースとともに天高くへと人間を逃がした。大地と天空を雲海で隔離し、壮絶な戦いを繰り広げ、終焉の者を封印したのである。

しかし封印は長く持たないことがわかっていた。女神ハイリアはトライフォースの力で終焉の者を消滅させる決意をし、人間に転生。人間の勇者とともにトライフォースを手にし、「終焉の者」を消滅させた。女神ハイリアは人間として、再び地上で暮らすことを決意する。

人間のために戦った女神ハイリアは、ハイリアでもっとも身近に親しまれている神である。

[1]ハイリアにゆかりある大地の泉。女神像に祈りを捧げることで、 ゼルダは女神のころの記憶を取り戻した [2]壁画に残された女神ハイリア [3]女神が空へ打ち上げた島スカイロフト。トライフォースが眠る島は女神の島と呼ばれている。古の大地のことは神話となっており、神官の家系にのみ口伝された [4]封印を安定させるため、数千年のあいだ眠りについたハイリア (ゼルダ)

“Goddess Hylia”

After the Three Great Gods departed, both the Triforce and the world were entrusted to the Goddess Hylia. Even so, Evil Ones appeared from the depths of the earth seeking the Triforce. Feared as the Demon Tribe (P.094), the root of evil was called “Demise” and sought the ultimate power in order to rule the world. Mankind lacked the strength to make war, and so they wept to their Goddess. The Goddess cut away a part of the earth, and set the humans into the upper limits of the sky together with the Triforce. Earth and sky were separated by a dense sea of clouds, and an epic battle unfolded, resulting in a seal upon Demise.

But the seal would not last forever. And so the Goddess Hylia determined that the power of the Triforce would be necessary in order to annihilate Demise once and for all, so she reincarnated as a human. Obtaining the Triforce together with the Hero of Men, Demise was utterly extinguished.

Goddess Hylia decided to live upon the surface once more as a mortal.

And because she fought for the sake of mankind, the Goddess Hylia is regarded as the most beloved deity that’s closest to the Hylians.

[1]There is a connection to Hylia at the Earth Spring. Offering up her prayers to the Goddess Statue there, Zelda recovered her memories as the Goddess. [2]A mural of the Goddess Hylia. [3]Goddess Hylia uplifted the island of Skyloft into the sky. The Triforce rests on the island known as the Isle of the Goddess. Knowledge of the ancient surface has become myth, and is passed down by oral tradition amongst the line of priests. [4]In order to strengthen the seal, Hylia (Zelda) went to sleep for thousands of years.

— The Legend of Zelda: Zelda Encyclopedia, P.008

女神信仰

ハイラルの民には、古くから女神信仰が 根付いている。いつから始まったのかは定 かではないが、ゾナウ族の歴史を紐解くと、 ゾナウ族こそが女神と深い関わりがあった ことがうかがえる。女神信仰はゾナウ文明 に起源があるのではないだろうか。

ゾナウ族が特殊な能力や叡智を持つこと についても、一説には「ゾナウの一族が秘 石の守役たり得るよう、女神が特殊な能力 を授けた」ともいわれている。いずれにせ よ秘石を任されたゾナウ族には女神と密接 なつながりがあることは明らかだろう。

いっぽう、ハイラル各地に存在する女神 像。考古学的観点から、女神像はハイラル の中でもっとも古い建造物であり、後から 女神像の周囲に神殿などが建設されたこと が判明している。それはゾナウ族の起源まで遡ってもおかしくない。少なくとも、空島の「時の神殿」には女神像が安置されて いる。また、「忘れ去られた神殿」も封印戦争のころには存在しており、女神像もす でにあったと思われる。このことから、ソナウ族が生きた時代からすでに女神像は存在していたことが明らかとなった。

“Goddess Worship”

Belief in the Goddess has taken root among the people of Hyrule since ancient times. It is not known when this belief began, but a look into the history of the Zonai suggests that the Zonai had a deep connection with the Goddess. Therefore, the belief in the Goddess may have its origins within the Zonai civilization.

As for the special abilities and wisdom of the Zonai, one theory is that the Goddess gave them special powers so that the Zonai could serve as guardians of the secret stones. In any case, it is clear that the Zonai, who were entrusted with the secret stones, had a close relationship with the Goddess.

Goddess statues are found throughout Hyrule. From an archaeological point of view, the goddess statues are the oldest structures in Hyrule, and it is known that temples were built around them later. It is not surprising then that its origins can be traced back to the Zonai. At the very least, a goddess statue is enshrined in the Temple of Time on the sky islands. The Forgotten Temple also existed at the time of the Imprisoning War, and it is thought that a goddess statue must have already existed there, too. This strongly indicates that goddess statues were already present during the era in which the Zonai lived.

— Tears of the Kingdom Master Works, P.374

王族の力と血脈

現在、ハイラル王族の姫には「封印の力」が伝わっており、ゼルダ姫の母親にもその力があった。これはラウルの「光の力」と同類のものと考えられる。また、ゼルダ姫には「時を操る力」も発現している。これらの力は、遠い祖先であるラウル、ソニアから脈々と受け継がれてきたものなのかもしれない。

現代に残る建国資料に初代ハイラル王と王妃の間に生まれた子についての記述は見つかっておらず、口伝される神話にも子供については語られていない。しかし初代国王ラウルと王妃ソニアが有していた力がハイラル王族の血筋に伝わる聖なる力として現代まで続いていることから、二人の間にはすでに子がおり、その血脈が王家の血として継がれてきたのだと考えるのが妥当だろう。

---

“Royal Powers & Lineage”

The ‘sealing power’ has been passed down to the princesses of the Hyrulean royal family into the present-day, and Princess Zelda's mother also shared in this power. These powers are thought to be the same as Rauru's ‘power of light’. Princess Zelda also manifested the ‘power to manipulate time’. Both of these powers were likely to have been passed down from Rauru and Sonia—her distant ancestors.

No mention of a child born to the first king and queen of Hyrule has been discovered amongst the founding documents that remain today, nor is there any mention of a child in surviving folklore. But since the powers possessed by the kingdom’s first king and queen, Rauru and Sonia, have continued into the present-day as the sacred power inherited through the bloodline of the Hyrulean royal family, it is reasonable to assume that they must have already had a child—and that their descendants have carried on as the royal bloodline.

— The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Master Works, P.385

▶ ハイラル王族の祖・ソニア    ハイリア人にも特殊な力を持つ者が、わずかながらに存在した。そのなかでもソニア(およびその家系)にはとりわけ大きな力が備わっていたと推測される。ソニアは当時のハイリア人における、巫女のような役割をもつ存在だったのだろう。人々に叡智を授ける姿は、まるで女神の化身のように映ったに違いない。

▶ “Sonia, Ancestor of Hyrule's Royal Family” — Among the Hylians, there were a few who possessed special powers. Chief among them was Sonia (as well as her family lineage), who was thought to have possessed particularly great power. Sonia played a role similar to that of a priestess among the Hylians of that time. She most certainly would have appeared like an incarnation of the Goddess in the way that she imparted her wisdom to everyone.

— The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Master Works, P.381

母のような包容力や懐の深さを持つとともに、ゾナウ族であるラウルと結婚するような大胆さも兼ね備える女性として、どのように描くかがとても難易度の高いキャラクターでした。なかでも顔の印象は非常に難しかったです。目つきが強すぎても弱すぎてもイメージと違い、バランスをとるのに苦慮しました。妃という高貴な身分でありながら裸足であるというのもこだわったポイントです。彼女自身の個性としての天真爛漫さ、古代人のプリミティブなイメージ、巫女としての神聖さなど、さまざまな狙いを込めています。あらゆるゼルダの始祖のようなイメージを持たせられないかと考え、全身の随所に過去の『ゼルダの伝説」シリーズのゼルダ姫のモチーフをちりばめています。皆さんお気づきでしたでしょうか?

“It was very difficult to depict her character as a woman who has both the receptiveness and depth of a mother, with the boldness to marry Rauru—a Zonai. The most difficult aspect of her character was her face. I struggled to find the right balance for her eyes, which should neither be too strong nor too weak, as I felt they would be too different from the image I had hoped for her. Another point I was particular about was the fact that she is barefoot despite her noble status as queen. I aimed to include a variety of things with her design, such as the naivete of her personality combined with a depiction of primitive ancient peoples, as well as the holiness of a priestess. We had the idea that she should have the image of something like the originator of all Zeldas, so we sprinkled motifs of Princess Zeldas from past ‘The Legend of Zelda’ games up until now all over her body. Have you noticed them all?”

— Designer's Note; The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Master Works, P.105

ハイラル王国ができるよりもはるか昔、 女神によって打ち上げられた天空の島スカイロフトがあ った。人々はロフトバードという大きな鳥に乗って空を行き来していた。 女神信仰が根付いており、 再び地上に戻った彼らはハイリア人の祖といえる (P.008 P.064)。

古代、 ハイラル王国と交流があったという天空人。 天空都市は高度な技術で栄えたという。 彼らがハイリア人の祖先およびもっとも神に近い民族だという説もある。

そして、風の宮殿を守る風の民。 聖剣フォーソード (P.079) に必要なエレメントのひとつを守っていた。このようにハイラルの上空には、古来さまざまな都がひそかに栄えていたのである。

Long before the kingdom of Hyrule was ever established, there was Skyloft, an island in the sky lifted up by the Goddess. The people rode large birds called Loftwings to travel through the air. Their belief in the Goddess was deeply rooted, and those who returned to the surface can be said to be the ancestors of the Hylians (p.008, p.064).

In ancient times, the Sky People^[10] are said to have mingled with Hyrule Kingdom. Their sky city is said to have flourished by means of advanced technology. There is a theory that they are the ancestors of the Hylians, as well as the race closest to the gods.

And then there are the Wind Folk, who guarded the Palace of Winds. They protected one of the elements necessary for the sacred blade, the Four Sword (p.079). Thus, in the skies above Hyrule, various cities have flourished in secret since time immemorial.

— The Legend of Zelda: Zelda Encyclopedia, P.048

◎天上期

ゾナウ族の空島での生活は、長く続いたと思われる。地上ではその間に、ハイ リア人を始めとした各部族がそれぞれの暮らしを形成していた。

空で栄えたゾナウ族だが、その繁栄もやがて翳りを見せる。なんらかの大きな 出来事により、その人口は激減。種族の滅亡という危機が迫ってきたのである。生き残ったゾナウ族は、秘石守護職として の責務をまっとうするため、秘石を携え て再び地上に降り立った。

➤滅亡の危機回避

ゾナウ族の人口を激減させた危機とはどのようなものだったの か。その原因を記した文献は発見されていない。がからか、天災あるいは資源の枯渇か、遺伝子レベルの老化が。はたまた、秘石の覇権を争う戦いがあったからか。

このままでは種族の存続が危ぶまれ、ゾナウ族のである の守護、継承もできなくなってしまう。そうした意 けるためにゾナウ族が選択したのが、地上への帰であった。 上で生活していた別の種族と交わることで滅亡の危機から狭し 秘石守護を果たそうと考えたのではないだろうか。

神の降臨

◎建国期

このころ地上では、ハイリア人のほか各部族が部 族単位で集落を形成し、砂漠にはゲルド族の国が興っていた。それぞれ独自の文明や言語を有していた が、その暮らしはかつてのゾナウ文明と比べて原始的であった。天上期に幾許かの交流はあったものの、 時の経過により、ゾナウ族を知る者もいない。それ ゆえ空から降り立ったゾナウ族たちの壮大な光は、 まさしく神の降臨と捉えられた。

➤地上へ戻った「ゾナウの都」

ゾナウ族の地上降臨についてはさまざまな逸話や推測があるが、そのなかのひとつに非常に興味深い ものがある。「ゾナウ族は“彼らの都とともに”降臨した」というものだ。

従来は壁画に描かれた様子から、ゾナウ族はゾナウギアの乗り物などを利用して降りてきたと考えら れていた。しかし空島の研究が進むうちに、ゾナウ 族は始まりの空島･･････己らの都ごと地上へ舞い降り たのではないか、という説が信憑性を増したのだ。 よく見れば壁画に描かれた山は、始まりの空島の 降下を表したものではないだろうか。

◎ Heavenly Period

It’s thought that the Zonai made their living among the sky islands for a long time. Meanwhile, on the surface, the Hylians were just starting out, and all of the other tribes were forming their own ways of life.

While the Zonai did prosper in the sky, before long this prosperity was cast into doubt. Some terrible incident occurred, dramatically decreasing their population. Their race faced the danger of imminent collapse. To ensure their survival, and continue their duty to safeguard the secret stones, the Zonai chose to return to the surface once more—with the secret stones in-hand.

➤ “Avoiding the Threat of Extinction”

The exact nature of the crisis which dramatically decreased the Zonai population is not well understood. Its cause was never discovered in any known literature. That said, we can speculate that it could have been a natural disaster due to depletion of resources, or genetic stagnation. Or perhaps there was a war fought over command of the secret stones themselves.

Regardless, if this situation continued, the survival of the tribe would be in jeopardy, and the Zonai would no longer be able to protect and carry on the traditions of their ancestors. In order to prevent this, the Zonai chose to return to the surface. They may have thought that they could escape the danger of extinction and fulfill the protection of the secret stones by mingling with another tribe that lived upon the surface.

“The Descent of the Gods”

◎ Founding Period

At this time, in addition to the Hylians, various tribes formed settlements on the surface, and the Gerudo nation had emerged in the desert. Each of these tribes had their own civilization and language, but their way of life was more primitive than that of the previous Zonai civilization. Although they had some contact with each other in the early years of their ascension, no one really knew the Zonai. Therefore, the magnificent light of the Zonai descending from the heavens was seen as the descent of the gods.

 ➤ “The ‘City of the Zonai’ Returns to the Surface”

While there is much theory and speculation about the descent of the Zonai to the surface, one idea in particular is very interesting. It goes something like, “The Zonai descended ‘together with their city’.”

Conventionally, the Zonai were thought to have descended to the surface using Zonai devices as vehicles, based on the depiction in the mural. However, as the research of the sky islands has progressed, the theory that the Zonai descended to the earth with their city upon the Great Sky Island has gained credibility… If one looks closely, the mountains depicted in the mural may represent the descent of the Great Sky Island itself.

— The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Master Works, P.380

ハイラルの影 シーカー族

創生の時代から女神ハイリアに仕え、その後も女神の血族たるハイラル王家に長きにわたって従事してきた一族。ハイラルや王家にまつわる伝承をしかるべき時代に伝え、導いていくことが、もって生まれた
使命である。身体的特徴はハイリア人と大差ないが、機動力や跳躍力に優れ、魔力を使い、体術による戦闘を得意とする。さまざまな研究により技術力を高め、シーカー族独自の道具を生み出している。

その存在は王家とそれに関わる者以外には明かされず、“王国の影”として暗躍してきた。人々の争いの絶えない時代においては王家の代行者として、王の命にて暗殺や諜報活動を行い、王国に仇なす者を排除する国の闇の部分を一手に引き受けた。しかし争いが途絶え王国が平和になるに従ってその役割を失い、闇の歴史が抹消されていくに伴ってシーカー族もまた衰退の道をたどった。

“The Sheikah: Shadows of Hyrule”

Serving the Goddess Hylia since the Era of Creation, their entire clan later indentured themselves to the Hyrulean royal family who were the blood relatives of the Goddess. Because they were born with a duty, they acted as guides, passing down those legends concerning Hyrule and its royal family for the appropriate time. Their physical features are largely the same as Hylians, although their mobility and jumping capabilities are greater, they wield magic, and are skilled in the ways of taijutsu. Through diverse studies they’ve heightened their technological prowess, and have developed tools unique to their tribe.

Their existence was kept secret outside of the royal family and those connected to it, since they operated behind the scenes as the “shadows of the kingdom.” During an era of unending strife, they served as agents of the Royal Family, carrying out assassinations and espionage at the king’s command; single-handedly shouldering the nation’s dark side, they eliminated those who threatened the kingdom. But as fighting ceased and the kingdom found peace, their role became obsolete, and subsequently this dark history was erased—and the Sheikah themselves likewise fell into decline.

— The Legend of Zelda: Zelda Encyclopedia, P.040

女神ハイリアとシーカー族

神話の時代、シーカー族は女神ハイリアに遣わされ、女神ハイリアの生まれ変わりを護る使命を与えられたという。女神ハイリアの生まれ変わりはハイラル王家の祖先といわれ、シーカー族は後の時代もハイラル王家を脅威から護り、さまざまな伝承を伝える役割を担ってきた。

そのような宿命のあるシーカー族だからこそ、王都からの追放後も古に刻まれた使命を脈々と受け継いだり、導師として身を捧げたに違いない。

女神ハイリアは現在もハイリア人およびシーカー族が信仰し、各地には大小の女神像が建てられ、多くの人から親しまれている。

“Goddess Hylia and the Sheikah”

It is said that the Sheikah, having been dispatched by the Goddess Hylia in the Era of Myth, were assigned the duty to protect the reincarnation of Goddess Hylia. The reincarnation of Goddess Hylia is considered to be the ancestor of the Hyrulean royal family. And so in later ages, the Sheikah have defended the Hyrulean royal family from threats, and borne the responsibility of passing down various legends.

It is precisely because of this destiny that the Sheikah, even after being ousted from the royal capital, must have steadfastly carried on with the mission entrusted to them in ancient times, and devoted themselves as monks.

Even now, Goddess Hylia is still worshipped by both the Hylians and the Sheikah. Goddess statues both large and small have been erected everywhere, and these are cherished by many people.

— Breath of the Wild Master Works, P.362

▶シーカー族とゾナウ族

ゾナウ族の高度な文明には目を見張るばかりだが、ハイリア人の歴史上“高度なテクノロジーによる影響をもたらした者たち” といえば古代シーカー族である。その技術力は王家からも恐れられ、太古のものとなってしまったが、太古のシーカー族はゾナウ族と似たものをもっていたようにも感じられる。

たとえば、何らかのエネルギー源を発見し、発明品の動力としている点である。シーカー技術の動力源であるエネルギーを発生させる炉は青い炎を発しており、同技術によって造られたシーカ一遺物は青く発光する。対してゾナニウム鉱石からエネルギーを抽出して動力とするゾナウ関連の遺物は緑色に発光している。異なる技術であるものの、技術力は肩を並べられるのではないか。

なお、ゾナウ族ミネルがゼルダ姫のプルアパッドを手に取りワープ機能を使用可能にしたことで、一部ゾナウ族の遺跡にも古代シーカー技術によるワープスポットが青く輝いている。

それから、「目」。ゾナウ族は額に第三の目をもっている。これは特別な力を発するときだけ開眼するもので、ものを見るための器官ではないという。対して、シーカー族のシンボルマークは「目と雫」。これはゾナウ族に由来するのではないかと推測されている。古代ハイリア人はゾナウ族の特徴をペイントすることでその力にあやかったと考えられており、それが別の形で残ったものなのではないだろうか。

シーカー族にはかつて第三の目を顔に描く風習があったが、やがて一族の象徴として定着していったという。シーカー族の歴史から推察するに直接ゾナウ族を見たわけではないと思われるが、 各地に残っている遺跡や伝承を参考にしていったのだろう。

▶ “The Sheikah and the Zonai”

While the advanced civilization of the Zonai is something truly astonishing, in Hylian history, “those who made a significant impact with advanced technology” were the ancient Sheikah tribe. Their technological prowess was once feared by the royal family, and became a thing of the ancient past. But it seems like the ancient Sheikah possessed something similar to the Zonai.

For example, they both discovered some sort of energy source to power their inventions. The furnaces which generate the energy that powers Sheikah technology emits a blue flame, and Sheikah relics created using this same technology all glow blue. Compare that with relics related to the Zonai, which glow green, and draw their power from energy extracted from Zonaite ore. Although their technologies differ, their technological prowess seems to be fairly comparable.

Additionally, after Mineru—a Zonai—took possession of Zelda’s Purah Pad, she enabled its travel functionality. And now travel points within some Zonai ruins emit the blue glow of ancient Sheikah technology.

And then there’s the “eye”. The Zonai have a third eye on their foreheads. It only opens when they’re enlightened and using their extraordinary powers, and it’s said that it is not an organ for sight. Compare that with the symbol of the Sheikah—an “eye with a tear drop”. We can speculate that its origins lie with the Zonai tribe. It is thought that the ancient Hylians would paint themselves with Zonai markings in order to draw upon their power. Could it be that this survived in another form?

The Sheikah once had a custom of drawing a third eye on their face, and this was eventually established as their tribe’s crest. We could speculate from the history of the Sheikah tribe that they did not meet the Zonai directly, but referenced the traditions and ruins left behind everywhere.

— Tears of the Kingdom Master Works, P.452

文化と暮らし

何千、何万年という長い歴史あるハイラルは、繁栄と衰退の繰り返しである。時代ごとに文化や暮らしの推移を見たり、多くの時代にも共通するものをまとめている。

スカイウォードソード(前史)

ハイリアの時代

ラネール地方で採れる鉱石「時空石」をさまざまな動力として、高度な文明を築いている。

さまざまな機械が電気によって作動。機械亜人が時空石の採掘や加工を行っている

スカイウォードソード

天空時代

スカイロフトを中心とした天空の島々で暮らし、ロフトバードを使って行き来する。 天空は風が強いため衣類は厚みのある丈夫なものでつくられ、鳥乗りはケープを羽織る。広い土地がないため牧場は作れず、畑でとれるカボチャが主食である。服や建物の色彩は鮮やかで、あらゆるモチーフに鳥が用いられることが多い。騎士団が治安を守り、青年たちは騎士学校で学んでいる。

時のオカリナ

時の勇者の時代

統一戦争の後、ハイラル王国が各民族をまとめ、ハイラルの統治者となった時代。別種族との交流は基本的に王家のみしか持たず、一般市民にとってはほかの種族については噂に聞く程度のもの。王家の許可がなければ入れないような地域も多く、 異種文化交流はほぼ行われていない。

城下町が栄えるが高度な文明はなく、カカリコ村を活性化させる動きがあるなど、発展の途上であった。人々の生活は必要以上に華やかにはならず、身の回りのものは自然素材を基調とした牧歌的なもの。ウシやコッコが飼育され、ミルクが好まれた。馬車や騎馬の需要により馬の価値も高い。

“Life & Culture”

Hyrule’s history is long, spanning many thousands—even tens of thousands of years of repeated prosperity and decline. By observing the life & culture as it developed in each era, we can assemble this common thread shared throughout its many eras.

Skyward Sword (prehistory)

“The Era of Hylia”

Diverse devices are powered by “Timeshift Stones,” a mineral collected in the Lanayru region, and an advanced civilization is built.

Diverse machines operate via electricity. Robots carry out the mining and processing of Timeshift Stones.

Skyward Sword

“The Era of the Sky”

Life among the sky islands is primarily centered around Skyloft, and Loftwings are used to come and go. The winds at this altitude can be quite strong, so garments are made to be thick and durable, and capes are often worn when bird riding. Due to a lack of space, livestock cannot be raised, and staple crops like pumpkins are grown in fields wherever they can. Both buildings and textiles are brightly colored, and many bird motifs are used. Knights defend public order, and many youth study at the Knight’s Academy.

Ocarina of Time

“The Era of the Hero of Time”

This era saw the King of Hyrule unite the many peoples of the kingdom of Hyrule following the Hyrulean Civil War. Contact with the other races is kept only by the royal family, and so knowledge about these races is limited to hearsay among the general public. Many of the regions are prohibited without royal permission, so cross-cultural exchange is virtually non-existent.

Developments were ongoing, as the castle town prospered despite lacking an advanced civilization whilst Kakariko Village was undergoing revitalization efforts. People’s livelihoods weren’t showy, and focused on necessities; their day-to-day belongings were basic and made from natural materials. Cows and chickens were raised, with a preference for milk. And horses were highly valued due to the demand for horseback riding and wagons.

— The Legend of Zelda: Zelda Encyclopedia, P.064

▶「蛮族」とゾナウ遺跡の関係は?

遥か昔、フィローネ地方を拠点とする戦闘部族がいたといわれ、現代では「蛮族」と呼ばれている。拠点にはゾナウ遺跡群が存在するため、これまでは蛮族とゾナウ族が同一視されることもあったが、ゾナウ文明の解明が進んだことで両者には数千年以上の隔たりがあることがわかってきた。

蛮族については謎のままであり、特殊な文様を身体に描いて闘争心を高めていたということしかわかっていない。たまたまゾナウ遺跡群を占拠した無関係の民族だったのだろうか。勇気の泉と龍の意匠が混在する遺跡群が拠点だったことがどのように関連しているか、多くの仮説が提唱されている。

●ゾナウ族の権力者に反し、分離した過激派集団

●天上に上ることを拒んだゾナウ族

●近代化し女神ハイリアが唯一神となっていくハイラル王国に対し、ゾナウ族を原種として崇める信仰集団

などだ。

しかし仮説の域を出ず、解明に至るのは難しいだろう。今や蛮族のものとして残された痕跡は、民族衣装とそれに関するわずかな記述程度である。

▶ “How Are The Zonai Ruins and ‘The Barbarians’ Related?”

Long ago, it’s said that a warlike race was based in the Faron region. Today they’re known as “The Barbarians”. Because the Zonai Ruins also exist in this location, the Barbarians and the Zonai have been viewed as one and the same up until now. But as our understanding of the Zonai civilization has developed, it seems that these two groups were separated by thousands of years.

These Barbarians remain an utter mystery. All we really know about them is that they painted their bodies with special patterns to enhance their fighting spirit. So, were they an unrelated group who happened to occupy the Zonai Ruins? Several theories have been proposed about their connection to the Spring of Courage, the dragon designs, and the ruins.

For example:

● They were a separate radical faction, rebelling against the authority of the Zonai.

● They were Zonai who may have refused to ascend into the heavens.

● They were a religious sect who worshipped the Zonai as their ancestors, in contrast with the modernizing Hyrule Kingdom, whose primary deity was Goddess Hylia.

But even among these theories, it seems the answer may be hard to determine. Nowadays, the only trace of these Barbarians comes from the descriptions provided by their tribe’s outfit.

— Tears of the Kingdom Master Works, P.453

Putting It All Together

First, Zelda recites lore about how her ancestor—the ancestor of Hyrule’s royal family—was born from the coming together of ancient Hylians and the Zonai who descended to the surface. She goes on to suspect that this union not only bore the fruit of her royal lineage, but also the establishment of the kingdom of Hyrule itself.

Second, after Zelda introduces herself as “the daughter of King Rhoam of Hyrule”, Rauru is surprised to hear of any other king of Hyrule, since he and Sonia were the two who founded Hyrule.

Next, we have legendary accounts from both Zora king Dorephan and his son, Prince Sidon, which regale the story of their ancestor, Princess Ruto. Both accounts affirm that this tomboy princess faced a threat to Hyrule alongside a hero and a Hyrulean princess. So, then, her story takes place within the lengthy history of the kingdom of Hyrule; it logically takes place sometime after Hyrule itself was founded.

Now we come to an old epitaph, found in the royal escape tunnels. It details the story of the construction of Hyrule Castle, and explains why it was built where it was—and why it must remain protected as the kingdom’s source of peace.

We learn from multiple sources that the reincarnation of Goddess Hylia is the common ancestor of the entire Hylian race (Hyrule Historia, P.077; Zelda Encyclopedia, P.010). Furthermore, the family that would establish the Hyrulean royalty hails from a noble and particularly powerful lineage. The kingdom of Hyrule was founded by one of these noble descendants of the Goddess reborn.

It is suggested that the Zonai tribe may be the primordial template from whence the Hylians came (Tears of the Kingdom Master Works, P.453). Goddess Hylia herself has been worshipped in Hyrule since time immemorial by its many people—particularly by the Hylians and the Sheikah (Zelda Encyclopedia, P.008). But the origins of this Goddess worship may lie within the Zonai civilization, whose people were said to be the closest race to the gods—and were chosen by Her Grace to perform a sacred duty (Tears of the Kingdom Master Works, P.374).

Among the royal lineage in Hyrule, a sacred power to seal and repel evil—the power of light—has been handed down alongside power over time. Both of these sacred powers derive from their distant ancestors; from Rauru and Sonia (Tears of the Kingdom Master Works, P.385). This reaffirms the veracity of the information that Zelda recited earlier.

Sonia herself is named as the ancestor of the Hyrulean royal family (Tears of the Kingdom Master Works, P.381). She was a priestess with an almost divine aura, keen senses, and incredible wisdom beyond her years. After Rauru gifted her one of the Zonai secret stones, it amplified her abilities and manifested as the secret stone of time. According to developer notes (Tears of the Kingdom Master Works, P.105), Sonia was designed to be something like the “originator of all Zeldas”.

Sky civilizations have long predated the founding of Hyrule Kingdom. Most notably Skyloft, raised by the Goddess, which was home to a people who flew around on giant birds and whose faith was deeply rooted in her worship. Those who later descended to the surface are described as the ancestors of the Hylians. Other aerial societies—including the technologically advanced sky beings and the Wind Tribe—are said to have flourished in secret above Hyrule. This suggests a prolonged era in which the heavens were populated by multiple advanced cultures (Zelda Encyclopedia, P.048).

We are told that, while the Zonai prospered on their sky islands, the surface tribes such as the Hylians had only begun forming their own societies. Then their civilization suffered a catastrophic collapse. Facing extinction, the survivors returned to the surface carrying the secret stones, in order to preserve their lineage and sacred duty. One particularly compelling theory proposes that the Zonai did not descend individually upon their machines but, rather, that they returned “together with their city.” This landmass is identified as what we now call the Great Sky Island (Tears of the Kingdom Master Works, P.380).

The Sheikah tribe have served Goddess Hylia since the Era of Myth (Breath of the Wild Master Works, P.362); as far back as the Era of Creation (Zelda Encyclopedia, P.040). They later indentured themselves to the Hyrulean royal family, as protectors of her reincarnated bloodline. Known as the “shadows of the kingdom,” they preserved legends, and acted as royal agents during eras of strife. Though their advanced technological prowess once shaped Hyrule’s history, their influence waned in times of peace, and much of their darker legacy was deliberately erased. Even after their exile, they are said to have faithfully upheld their divine mission, with many devoting themselves as monks.

Striking parallels are drawn between the ancient Sheikah and the Zonai, describing both as civilizations defined by extraordinary advanced technology powered by distinct energy sources—the Sheikah’s blue flame and the Zonai’s Zonaite-derived green energy. Their technological prowess is portrayed as comparable. Symbolic similarities are also emphasized: the Zonai possess a mystical third eye, while the Sheikah use an “eye with a tear” as their crest. It is speculated that ancient Hylians once adopted Zonai markings to draw upon their power, and that this tradition evolved into the Sheikah’s enduring crest—suggesting cultural inheritance rather than direct influence (Tears of the Kingdom Master Works, P.452).

Hyrule’s history is presented as cyclical—marked by repeated prosperity and decline—while tracing technological and cultural shifts across eras. In the Era of Hylia, advanced machinery powered by Timeshift Stones and operated by robots flourished in Lanayru. During the Era of the Sky, life centered on Skyloft, defined by Loftwing travel, wind-resistant clothing, pumpkin agriculture, and knightly governance. By the Era of the Hero of Time, following the Hyrulean Civil War, Hyrule had unified politically, but cross-cultural exchange remained tightly restricted by the royal family. Their society retained a modest, pastoral essence rather than a technologically advanced one (Zelda Encyclopedia, P.064).

Finally, we learn that the warlike tribe later called the “Barbarians”—once believed to be identical with the Zonai due to their association with the Zonai Ruins—were in fact separated from them by thousands of years. Though little is known beyond their ritual body markings meant to enhance fighting spirit, theories range from their being a radical Zonai splinter group, to Zonai who refused ascension, to a sect that revered the Zonai in opposition to the growing preeminence of Goddess Hylia. These theories remain speculative, with only their tribal attire and fragmentary descriptions surviving (Tears of the Kingdom Master Works, P.453).

Chapter VI

An Interview with the Director, Mr. Hidemaro Fujibayashi

Famitsu Interview excerpt (c.2023)

――毎回恒例でお聞きしていますが、『ゼルダの伝説』の時系列として、今回の『ティアーズオブ ザ キングダム』は、どこに当てはまりますか？ 『ゼルダの伝説 スカイウォードソード』では始祖を描き、『ブレス オブ ザ ワイルド』で最後を描いていましたが、『ティアーズオブ ザ キングダム』は『ブレス オブ ザ ワイルド』の続編でありつつ、ハイラル建国の話もあるので始祖にもなりえるのかと…………。

藤林『ブレス オブ ザ ワイルド』の後の話であることは間違いないです。そして、基本的に『ゼルダの伝説』シリーズは、破綻しないように物語と世界を考えています。現時点で言えるのは、その2点のみです。

 「破綻しない」という前提があれば、ファンの方々にも「ということは、それじゃあこういう可能性も？」といろいろ考えていただける余地があると思うんですよ。あくまで可能性として話すとすれば、ハイラル建国の話があってもその前に一度滅んだ歴史がある可能性もあります。「ここをこうしたらおもしろいんじゃない？」といった適当では作っていませんから、あえて語られていない部分も含めて、想像して楽しんでいただければと思います。

——I know this is a regular question, but where does Tears of the Kingdom fit into the Zelda timeline? Skyward Sword is depicted as the originator, and Breath of the Wild is depicted at the very end. While Tears of the Kingdom is a sequel to Breath of the Wild, it also exists as a story of Hyrule’s founding, so is it the originator…?

Fujibayashi: Without a doubt, this story is set after Breath of the Wild. And, fundamentally, we intend for the Zelda series' story and world to not break apart. So I can only say two things at this point.

While keeping to the conditions of it “not breaking apart”, I do believe there is room for fans to think, “Wait, so that means… there’s a chance?” I would speak to the possibility that, even though this is the story of the founding of Hyrule, there is a chance that there could have been history that's been lost before this, too. We didn't produce this randomly, either, like “would it be interesting to do this here?” and that includes those things left unsaid. So I hope you will enjoy imagining it!

Lorulean’s Analysis

Reading Fujibayashi-san’s statement, with the context of the question posed by the interviewer, I can only draw the following conclusion: the history that’s been previously lost is none other than the events before the founding of Hyrule Kingdom. The interviewer asked whether the founding story established in Tears of the Kingdom replaced the “origin story” of Skyward Sword for the series, and Fujibayashi-san’s response gives us the answer: no, it does not. And this all falls in line with previously established information (see excerpt, Hyrule Historia P.77 in Addendum IV).

Now, as of the release of Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment (November 06, 2025), we have learned a few details we previously didn't have. This game tells the canonical tale of the Imprisoning War, and depicts more fully the events previously only glimpsed through the dragon’s tear memories. One important detail we glean is that the Zonai civilization collapsed due to the development of specialized constructs. These automatons that could harness the abilities of the Zonai as weapons of war. But these machines “went berserk” and turned on their makers, bringing unparalleled ruin to the world. The Zonai survivors managed to deactivate the machines and seal them away, but the damage was done—with their population decimated, they abandoned both the sky and their operations in the Depths in favor of resettling the surface, mingling with the inhabitants there. After a few generations, the last living pair of Zonai remaining were siblings: Mineru and Rauru.

I have gathered the English text and translated the complimentary Japanese dialogue pertaining to this subject here.

Chapter VII

Something Else To Keep In Mind

Internally, as the series persists on over the years, the development team are designing their games from the stance of “new interpretation.” That is to say, it's not that things have fundamentally changed (see Chapter VI), but rather, fresh designs and subtle changes to previously established lore can be interpreted like novel discoveries being made by archaeologists, which in turn, changes our understanding of history. Like finding a new puzzle piece!

――ハイラルの歴史において、今回のお話はどこに位置付けられるのですか？ 過去のどの作品よりも後のお話なのかな、とは思うのですが……。

青沼 それはもちろん最後ですよ。でもまあ、わかります、どのラインに続く最後なのか、という話ですよね？（笑）。

藤林 それは……ご想像にお任せ、じゃないですか？

青沼 ハイラルの歴史というのは、時間とともに変化するんです。つぎの作品を作っていて、何かをやろうとしたときに、「ああ、こっちのほうが都合がいいな」と思ったらガチっとハマったりですとか、逆にヤバいと思ってハメ直したりですとか。じつはいままでにも、一度決まった歴史が、微妙に変わったことは何度かありますから（笑）。

藤林 最近社内で流行している言葉は、“新解釈”です（笑）。厳密に言うと、変わったわけではなくて、新しい資料や新事実が見つかったということなんです。

青沼 歴史の教科書も、細かい部分がどんどん変わっていますよね。だから今回、新たな古文書を見つけたような状況なんですよ（笑）。

――なるほど、『ブレス オブ ザ ワイルド』という古文書をどう解釈すべきかは、まだ学説が定まっていないわけですね（笑）。

藤林 ですので、今後の研究にも目が離せませんよ！ ご期待ください（笑）。

——Where do you place this story in the history of Hyrule? I'm wondering if it is a later story than any of the previous ones.

Aonuma: It would be the latest, of course. But, well, I understand, you are talking about which timeline it falls on, right? (laughs).

Fujibayashi: That’s...... left to your imagination, isn't it?

Aonuma: The history of Hyrule changes over time. When I was working on the next piece, I would think, "Oh, this is more convenient," and then I would get into it; or conversely, I would re-frame it because I thought it was a bad idea. In fact, there have been several instances in the past where the history that was once decided upon has been slightly changed (laughs).

Fujibayashi: The term that has recently become popular within the company is "new interpretation" (laughs). Strictly speaking, it does not mean that things have changed, but rather that new materials or new facts have been discovered.

Aonuma: Even in history textbooks, the details are constantly changing, aren't they? So this time, it's like finding a new ancient document (laughs).

——I see, so there is still no settled theory on how to interpret the ancient document of "Breath of the Wild" (laughs).

Fujibayashi: Keep your eyes peeled for further research! You can count on us (laughs).

— Famitsu interview with Eiji Aonuma and Hidemaro Fujibayashi (August 01, 2018)

There are many other exceptional quotes from Mr. Aonuma and Mr. Fujibayashi to keep in mind, too. You can find those here.

Rebuttals

Q: The historical charts in Creating a Champion and Master Works appear to be written from an in-universe historian perspective; from a figure who was alive in the present-day. It’s also acknowledged that much of the records were destroyed during the Calamity, and that their history overall is so vast that it’s difficult to discern the truth amidst various myths and legends. So how reliable can they be?

A: While it is true that most of the records were destroyed in the Calamity, we also have several figures who lived through that Calamity and are alive in the present-day. People like Purah, Robbie, Impa, and Princess Zelda—all of whom were well-read and who had access to those original records prior to their destruction. They had access to the royal library, ancient literature in the Royal Ancient Tech lab, and other records kept safe in Kakariko Village. With their knowledge, and their reputation as scholars, I see no reason to think that these charts are inherently unreliable.

Q: I would sooner believe that there were multiple Ganondorfs in Hyrule’s history being conflated together than believe that every instance of Ganon we’ve seen to date is simply the phantom of the imprisoned Demon King Ganondorf we meet in Tears of the Kingdom. Wouldn’t that make more sense?

A: I believe the evidence supports the idea of Rauru and Sonia’s kingdom being the original founding of Hyrule as we know it. And because I do, this explanation makes sense given the evidence. Demon King Ganondorf was imprisoned deep beneath the land that would become Hyrule Castle—a castle built there specifically to both strengthen the seal and protect the Imprisoning Chamber from tampering. The castle’s builders warn that, should this site be disturbed, the Demon King’s hatred and rage could be revived and unleashed upon the land. This incarnation of hatred is Ganon. And Ganon has gone by many names, from Great King of Evil to Calamity. The late Gerudo Champion Urbosa mentions that their records indicate that Ganon once adopted (see: took) the form of a Gerudo. It is also said that the boar-like shape taken by Ganon—the Dark Beast—is considered to have been his true, original form. All of this aligns with what we know of Ganon from Ocarina of Time and the other games in the series to date. We also know that Ganondorf is no stranger to making puppets and phantoms of himself and others.

Q: Rauru is not the most reliable figure. He was wrong about Zelda’s time travel, and he vastly underestimated Ganondorf. He could very well be wrong about being Hyrule’s first king, yes?

A: While he is very naive, and he did indeed underestimate Ganondorf, this does not correlate. It’s quite a leap in logic to suggest that, because Rauru was wrong about some things, he could be wrong about this thing too, when this “thing”—Hyrule’s founding—is corroborated by multiple other people. His sister, Mineru, was a scholar with knowledge about the Zonai and Hyrule. His wife, Sonia, was a preeminent Hylian priestess. Surely, if there were any signs or records of any prior kingdom in the land, there would be someone in that period who was aware of it.

Further Reading

1. Placing “Breath of the Wild” and “Tears of the Kingdom” on the ZELDA Timeline
2. The Timeline of the Wilds
3. The Goddess Hylia and the Hylians, the Sheikah, and the Zonai
4. Hyrule’s History, According to the Games (Japanese)
5. Response to "Zelda Refounding Perspective"
6. The History of Hyrule | Creating a Champion, pp.360-365
7. Quotes | Sky Civilizations of Hyrule