Light

is a recurring element in . Over the years, light has served various purposes both in narrative and in gameplay. It is a central element archetypal of good, divinity, and heroism.
==Role in the Series==
===Light as a symbolic element===
The most iconic source of light in The Legend of Zelda is the Triforce. In , chronologically one of the earliest games in the series, the Triforce is first found in the Sacred Realm although Ganondorf is eventually able to get one of the fragments of the Triforce. It is revealed that the Triforce is a gift left by the Golden Goddesses to their land after having created it with their powers. The Triforce is kept in the Sacred Realm in order to avoid the forces of evil to conquer it, and can only be fully earned by those who have a balance of Power, Wisdom and Courage.
In addition to the Triforce, there is also a sage who represents light in . This sage is the Sage of Light, and lies in the Sacred Realm itself. Rauru blesses Link with the Light Medallion before he ventures into Hyrule after taking the Master Sword with him. Near the end of the game, Rauru and the Sages create a bridge of light so that Link can make his way to Ganon's Castle and rescue Princess Zelda.
Light is also given homage by a melody, the Prelude of Light, useful for the young hero to warp instantly to the Temple of Time.
===Light as a protector seal===
In , it is told that the land of Hyrule is located within the Light World. The reason for this is because, prior to the events of the game, Ganon took power of the Sacred Realm after reaching the whereabouts of the Triforce, and turned said realm into the Dark World; therefore, when a being from the Light World somehow moves to the Dark World, he or she loses any protection against darkness and shapeshifts. Only when the individual exits from Ganon's domains, he or she will recover from its influence upon exposure to light.
In , light plays a similar role as in . The land of Hyrule is blessed by four Spirits of Light: Ordona, Faron, Eldin, and Lanayru. With their holy powers, these Spirits protect the different provinces in the land. When the Shadow Beasts led by Zant defeat these Spirits, the influence of twilight is able to cover the land of Hyrule, rendering its inhabitants defenseless and turned into ghosts, creating an atmosphere of despair. Under these circumstances, Link must retrieve the Tears of Light by defeating the Shadow Insects holding them. Light is also capable of keeping far away the forces of darkness, this includes beings like Midna who aren't evil.
It's also revealed that light is actually essential for the inhabitants of the Twilight Realm as well. Because there is no Sun in their world, the Palace of Twilight keeps two sacred artifacts, the Sols, which bring protection to the Twili people. Without these sources of light, they will be turned into monsters.
===Light as a bringer of force===
In , the Sage of Earth Medli, and the Sage of Wind Makar pray in the Earth and Wind Temple respectively to bless the Master Sword with the Power to Repel Evil.
In , the Master Sword is blessed by the light from the Sols in the Twilight Realm, and this light is the only one capable of penetrating Zant's defenses.
In , the Recruit's Sword can be empowered with the help of the Tears of Light, allowing Link to stun Phantoms so that Princess Zelda can possess them. In comparison, the Lokomo Sword doesn't need to be empowered, as it has the blessing of the gods and thus has the properties of the Tears of Light as a default.
Light can also be materialized as a weapon in the form of the Light Arrows. These divine arrows are capable of vanquishing darkness more efficiently than any other weapon and, as shown in , they also lift evil seals. The Light Arrows are, along with the Silver Arrows, the ultimate weapon to defeat Ganon.
In , the Goddess Sword can shoot a light beam when put in a skyward position (pointing at the sky).
===Light as a puzzle device===
In , light is introduced as a puzzle device, a trait that is carried over the 3D installments. In general, there may be blocks or walls that react to light, and when they do there is a direct effect on a mechanism, usually a door opening; chests may be unveiled this way as well. Depending on the situation, light can be brought to the sensitive objects by either using the Mirror Shield, or simply moving the objects to the source of light. In , Medli can help Link solve light-based puzzles, as she has a harp capable of reflecting light; also in this game, light is the only element that can remove fog, and can purge Link from any fog that has reached him.
 is currently the only game where Light Arrows are consciously used to solve puzzles. In the Stone Tower Temple, they're useful to invert the position of some rooms, and even flip the entire dungeon. Also exclusive to this game is that the arrows can supersede the Mirror Shield in every aspect, as they too can remove or activate sun blocks or sun marks in the walls. In both the Sols and the Master Sword when infused with their light are capable of keeping away the fog that infests the Palace of Twilight, and with it some light-sensitive orbs can be activated as well. 
In and , light puzzles take a new approach. In the former, there are statues that emit a blue laser beam, which usually are intended to pinpoint a spot; the Temple of Courage, for example, can only be opened when three sources of light are redirected towards its locked door. In the latter game, there are crystals that emit laser beams after Link plays the Song of Light with the Spirit Flute (which also unveils any buried crystal).
===Light as an arbiter===
In , the Silent Realm is a sacred dimension that has the same layout and design as the world of mortals. However, it has a blue-colored atmosphere, and is patrolled by Guardians, beings capable of defeating Link with one hit. The Silent Realm serves as a trial for the chosen hero fallen from the skies. He must collect Sacred Tears and return alive to his world in order to gain approval from the Goddess and receive a tool that will help on his quest. This is a spiritual test that the hero must complete on his own, without the help of Fi or any of his items. However, there are items that ease his trial. Every Sacred Tear gives the hero 90 seconds to roam around freely without being chased by Guardians. In addition, Light Fruits cause the missing Tears to emit green beams of light into the sky for 30 seconds, allowing the hero to locate them more easily.
In , the Hero of Winds accepts two tests during his ordeal: The completion of the Tower of the Gods, and the collection and assembling of the Triforce of Courage.
==Enemies and bosses inherently vulnerable to light==
===Bosses and Mini-Bosses===
*Ganondorf (stunned in every game where both he and Light Arrows make an appearance).
*Igos du Ikana and his servants (both stunned while fighting, and killed instantly while weakened).
*Gomess (its defenses disabled in ).
*Eyegore (weakened in ).
*Jalhalla (stunned in ).
===Enemies===
*Boo Buddy (stunned and weakened when Link turns the lights on in ).
*Dark ChuChu (turned into stone in ).
*ReDead (killed instantly in , stunned in ).
*Floormaster (killed instantly in ).
*Armos Statues (their weaknesses exposed in ).
*Shadow Beast (killed instantly in ).
*Nocturn (weakened in ).
*Phantom (stunned for possession in ).
==Light-Based Items==
File:TP Bow of Light Render.png|Bow of Light
File:ST Compass of Light Model.png|Compass of Light
File:TFH Light Armor Render.png|Light Armor
File:OoT Light Arrow Render.png|Light Arrows
File:OoT3D Light Medallion Render.png|Light Medallion
File:ST Lokomo Sword Artwork.png|Lokomo Sword
File:SS Master Sword Artwork.png|Master Sword
File:TWWHD Mirror Shield Artwork.png|Mirror Shield
File:ST Song of Light.png|Song of Light
File:BotW Sword of the Six Sages Icon.png|Sword of the Six Sages
File:ST Tear of Light Model.png|Tears of Light
File:TPHD Vessel of Light Icon.png|Vessel of Light
==Light-related characters==
File:ST Link Artwork.png|Link
File:TMC Princess Zelda Artwork.png|Princess Zelda
File:TPHD Eldin Artwork.png|Eldin
File:TP Faron Render.png|Faron (Spirit)
File:Hero of light.gif|Hero of Light
File:TPHD Lanayru Render.png|Lanayru
File:TP Ordona Render.png|Ordona
File:OoT Rauru.png|Rauru
==Light-themed areas==
File:TP Temple of Time Screenshot.png|Temple of Time
File:OoT Chamber of Sages.png|Temple of Light
File:SS Light Tower.png|Light Tower
==Light-Based Enemies==
File:SS Earth Watcher Render.png|
File:SS Beamos Render.png|Beamos
==Light-Based bosses and mini-bosses==
==See Also==
* Darkness