Princess Zelda

**Princess Zelda** (pronounced /ˈzɛldə/ *ZEL-də*)[10],[11] also known as **Child Zelda** in *Ocarina of Time* whilst still a child,[12] and sometimes shortened to **Zelda**,[13][14] is the eponymous name commonly given to the females born into the Royal Family of Hyrulein *The Legend of Zelda* series.[15] With the exception of *Link's Awakening*, *Majora's Mask*, and *Tri Force Heroes*, an incarnation of Zelda or one of her alter egos has always been one of the central characters in the series.

Each incarnation of Zelda has been shown at various ages depending upon which title they appear in. They have appeared as a child, a teenager and as a young adult; for example, the Princess Zelda in *Twilight Princess* is around 20 years of age.[16]

Early on in the timeline of the series, the original Zelda, while born as a Hylian, is the mortal incarnation of the Goddess Hylia.[17]Carrying on this divine blood, her female descendants are often named after her and are always the crown princess of Hyrulethroughout its history.[1][2][18][19][20] Several princesses within the bloodline are also the possessor of the Triforce of Wisdom, imbued with the essence of the Goddess Nayru.[1][21][22] The essence of Nayru affords each Zelda divine wisdom, allowing them to discern the wisest decisions, especially in situations concerning the welfare of Hyrule. It grants them a myriad of mystical abilities, including the ability to heal others, though there is a possibility that this could also be an effect of their bloodline passing down Hylia's own powers and, later, the Light Force.

## Physical traits

Princess Zelda is often shown as a beautiful and elegant princess, with the exception of *Skyward Sword*, where she is portrayed an average girl before the kingdom of Hyrule had been established. She is always either a child, teen, or young adult. Her hair color is depicted as blonde in most games of the series, as well as brunette in *Twilight Princess* and red in *The Legend of Zelda* and *The Adventure of Link*. Her eyes are portrayed in different shades of blue throughout all the games, with the exception of her green eyes in *Breath of the Wild*. Her ears are pointy, as is characteristic to all Hylians, although in some games her ears tend to be shorter than in others. The dresses that she always wears are long with determinate colors, such as different tones of pink, white, and blue. Most of her dresses are shown with the Hylian Crest, and in almost every game, she is seen wearing a tiara with either a red, pink, or blue jewel in it. In some games, she also wears long gloves. Most of the time, Princess Zelda is seen wearing make up, such as in *The Wind Waker* and *Spirit Tracks*, and her hairstyle is characterized either with her hair down or with braids. She wears high heels, although in *Twilight Princess*, *Skyward Sword*, and *Breath of the Wild* she wears boots. She also sometimes wears sandals in *Skyward Sword* and *Breath of the Wild*.

## Personality

Zelda is depicted as a kind and benevolent ruler with a wisdom beyond her years and a deep love towards the people she watches over. She is a caring, graceful and self-sacrificing person.[23][24] Zelda's most prominent display of compassion and selflessness was when she saved the life of Midna, the Princess of the Twilight Realm, who had been nearly killed by the false King of the Twilight, Zant.[25] Zelda's wisdom is her most valuable attribute. As a matriarch, it is imperative that she make the wisest decision concerning the fate of Hyrule; in *Twilight Princess* when Zant threatened her life and the lives of all of her subjects, she wisely surrendered to him.[26] She upholds her responsibilities no matter the cost and is always willing to help her friends, such as in *Skyward Sword*, where Zelda faces her duties as the goddess reborn and willingly remains in a deep sleep to keep Demiseimprisoned within his seal.[27] Above all, Zelda is known to be a forgiving person even towards those who have harmed her before, as seen in *Spirit Tracks*, where she asks Anjean to take care of Byrne even though he was the one who stole her body.[28]

Princess Zelda is one of the three most important characters of *The Legend of Zelda* series, which is also why her name appears in the title of every game. Princess Zelda first appeared in the original *The Legend of Zelda*, and has since been featured in every subsequent game, with the exception of *Link's Awakening*. Each Princess is chosen by destiny to be the keeper of the Triforce of Wisdom in their era, which is the main reason why they play such an integral role in the legends of Hyrule.

## Abilities

Throughout the series, Princess Zelda portrays various types of both magical and physical abilities, ranging from capably wielding a bow[29]to telepathy, as seen in *A Link to the Past's* introduction when she pleads for Link's help.[30]Many of her abilities as both a Sage and the wielder of the Triforce of Wisdom are widely illustrated in *Ocarina of Time*, one of them being that she has prophetic visions in her dreams.[31][32] She also helps Link in their escape from Ganon's Castle by using her powers to magically remove the barriers blocking the exits. During the final battle between Link and Ganon, Princess Zelda uses her powers to restrain the King of Evil as Link delivers the final blow.[33] Being the seventh Sage, she is the ruler of the rest of the six Sages, and it is with her guidance that the Sages seal Ganon in the void of the Evil Realm.[1][34] Finally, with her powers as a Sage, she is capable of returning Link to his original time by simply using the Ocarina of Time.[35]

Some of Princess Zelda's physical abilities are demonstrated in games such as *The Wind Waker*, *Twilight Princess* and *Spirit Tracks*. In *The Wind Waker*, Princess Zelda aids Link in battling Ganondorf by borrowing the young hero's bow and using it to fire Light Arrows at the King of the Gerudo.[29] This skill is again portrayed in the final battle of *Twilight Princess*, where the princess yet again uses a bow and Light Arrows to strike Ganondorf while accompanying Link on his horse,[36] and once more in the final battle against Malladus in *Spirit Tracks*. In one scene of *Twilight Princess*, Princess Zelda is seen wielding a sword, although it is unknown whether she possessed any true sword skills.

As shown in *Twilight Princess*, Princess Zelda is capable of communicating with the Light Spirits. Just as the princess and Link are about to be attacked by Ganondorf's ghostly army, Zelda calls upon the Light Spirits to aid her in her time of need, in which the spirits grant her the Light Arrow to banish evil.[37]

In *Spirit Tracks*, Princess Zelda can possess a Phantom's body after Link strikes it with a powered-up sword or the Lokomo Sword. While in this state, the princess can help out Link solve various puzzles as well as cross certain obstacles that the young hero cannot do by himself.[38] Moreover, due to the Phantom's armor, she can also protect Link from attacks or use her strength to fight alongside Link and help him defeat enemies, as seen when fighting Geozards or Byrne.

## Zelda's Weapons

### Bow and Arrows of Light

*Main article: Zelda's Bow*
In several games, starting with *Ocarina of Time*, Zelda either wields the Light Arrows or bestows them on Link, allowing him to defeat Ganon. In some cases, she is also able to summon a magical bow made from pure light in order to fire the arrows.

In *Hyrule Warriors*, the magical bow and light arrows can be summoned as part of Zelda's combos and special attacks while wielding her rapiers.

### Rapier

In *Twilight Princess*, Zelda carries an ornate rapier, seemingly as a sword of state. When possessed by Ganondorf, she also uses it as a weapon against Link.

In *Hyrule Warriors*, this rapier is named the "Polished Rapier", and is one of several rapiers the princess can use, alongside the more ornate Glittering Rapier, the extravagant Gleaming Rapier, which also bears the royal crest, and the humorous 8-Bit White Sword, a joke weapon.

### Baton

While Zelda does not wield the Wind Waker in its titular introduction, *The Wind Waker*, it is claimed to be an instrument of the royal family used by the monarch in conducting the Sages.

In *Hyrule Warriors*, Zelda is able to use the Wind Waker to conduct magical songs that summon wind and lightning. She can also use the Sacred Baton, which resembles a crystallized gust of wind, and the Glorious Baton, which resembles a Great Fairy's locks of hair.

## TMNT X Pokemon

Princess Zelda usually heal the team with using her healing abilities. As an archer, she can strike her enemies from far distances and using the Triforce of Wisdom to predict future events throughout the game.

## Trivia

* *Link's Awakening* and *Tri Force Heroes* are the only games where Princess Zelda's presence is completely absent. However, Link mentions her at the beginning of *Link's Awakening*.[86] Zelda's dress also appears in *Tri Force Heroes*, which is based on its design from *A Link Between Worlds*.