Religion In The Legend Of Zelda

I Love this Classic image of Link, just look at all the stuff he needs to get him through...let alone the rest of the many, many items needed to defeat Ganon.

The Legend of Zelda

Link as Messianic Hero

Link is a Silent Protagonist, well besides the various grunts and yells, he doesn’t speak. however if you have had the unfortunate pleasure of seeing the old cartoon series where Link doesn't shut up with his uber annoying so 80's catch phrase "well, Excuse Me Princess!" I share your pain...if you haven't well if you are really looking to punish yourself you can see some episodes and videos on Youtube.

Link's origins are relatively unknown, I've played several of the games and I'm still not quite sure if he is Zelda's long lost brother or what?...but here is what I do know. In Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (Arguably the best Video Game of all time) Link grows up with the Forest folk, although he does not have a fairy of his own. (This suggests that he is not a Kokiri, but a Hylian, who also have pointy ears so that they can hear the voices of the goddesses) He is raised in obscurity and given a destiny to save Hyrule (the land of his people) from the Evil Ganon.

Ganon is the only male and King of the Desert Thieves the Gerudos. He tries to force Zelda into telling him where the Triforce is with his magic and power, but Zelda escapes.   But Gannon Pursues her. Link must save Zelda from the clutches of Ganon and prevent Ganon from gaining access to the Sacred Realm guarded by the Royal Family and the Seven Sages.

Link learns of his quest from the great Deku Tree and is given a Fairy to guide him. His Fairy Navi is arguably more annoying than Jar-Jar. Her constant Hey! Listen! Will make you want to kill her/it...but you can’t. So sad...anyways....

Link is Given a Holy Quest, that is far beyond his current abilities but with his Courage and people telling him stuff (Wisdom) Link sets out to save the world. Brave, Brave boy. So, any connections with a Messianic hero?

1. Link was raised in obscurity. Akin to Moses, Jesus, Superman.

2. Is supposed to "Save his People" = "Messiah" "Moses, Jesus, Superman"

3.  Has to undo an apocalyptic event. Reverse Ganon's turning the world into his Dark world filled with monsters and demons and zombies. Ganon basically turns Hyrule into Hell, or a hell. Jesus reverses Death and saves humans from Hell.

4. Link has to Grow up to do it. He enters the Temple of Time and is sealed away for 7 years where he can finally take up the mantle of the Hero of Time and achieve his destiny. In the Gospels it seems that Jesus jumps from being a 12 year old boy at the temple to a 30 something year old man at the height of his ministry. I know that Jesus didn't magically go from 12-30 but that part of his life is not recorded.

5. Link originally carried a Cross shield, Cross=Christ. I know I have already said that this doesn't mean that Link is a Christian figure, but Link is an Icon, and as such relating him with other such iconic imagery might suggest Morality or Virtues that can be associated with Link. All I am trying to do is draw lines, not necessarily make conclusions.

6. Link dies and comes back to Life (often, if you don’t watch his heart meter, its game over if you don’t have a fairy [conduit of the Goddesses' power]) who else is 'famous' for this resurrection act? Jesus. While Link's saving act is not necessarily related to his death, he does 'die' and come back for more, until he completes his task. 

7. Sacrificial Love. Link has to sacrifice himself and his own wants and desires to take up this quest and fulfill his destiny to save others. There are 'women' who fall in love with Link (Saria, Ruto, Malon), but he must leave them behind to ultimately save them.

8. Link as a Hylian has Pointed ears so that they can hear the voices of the Goddesses. Jesus talks to and hears from God all the time. In Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, in order to get into one of the Temple/Dungeons Link reads from the sacred Book of Mudora, takes off his hat, kneels and crosses himself in a Triangular fashion and prays. The Temple/Dungeon opens up for Link only after he prays.

9. The Items that Link uses, some of them could be symbolic, For instance: The Cane of Byrna, looks like a Shepherds Crook. Jesus is often referred to as the Good Shepherd. The Cane of Somaria for the same reasons. The Master Sword is a Holy Sword that is also called Evil's Bane. The master's word, Jesus' tongue is said to be a two edged sword that cuts through sin. The Book of Mudora is similar to a Bible. With the Hover Boots equipped you can walk on/over water for a brief period of time. Jesus could walk on water. Link tames a wild horse, Jesus cold make the lion lay down with the lamb.

Anyways having said all of that, all I am trying to do is to show Link as an Iconic Messianic type Hero not unlike Jesus. I am not really trying to say that Link is Jesus, but that in the Universe of the Legend of Zelda, Link performs the same functions. Link is not worshipped in the Legend of Zelda, but the Hero of Time is a venerated and expected coming figure. sort of in the way that Jesus is expected to return. Link or rather the Hero of Time who Link becomes is expected to return or rise up to defeat Evil when ever it threatens the Peace of Hyrule.