Well, Link isn’t a stranger to identity crises, to be honest. Still, there was when at least the majority of fans would be shocked to find a link with anything other than ‘Zelda’ as his name.
That confusion was warranted during the first few games of the Legend of Zelda series before a brown-hat-wearing Link became iconic.
Regardless of how much his image spread along with the game’s popularity, there is one thing fans still have heated arguments about, and that is whether all Links from every Zelda game are the same person.
The Legend of Zelda Timeline: A Complex Web of Restorations
There are three of them – the Old, the New, and the Anti-Zelda – all of which result in different futures for Link and Zelda, as well as the whole realm.
The Hyrule Historia from Nintendo states how these timelines split depending on the choice made in the game Ocarina of Time.
The fate of the race depends on the success or failure of the hero of the manga – The Hero of Time; these links and princesses always exist within a linear timeline.
Different Links, Same Spirit
Although they are completely separate characters in the majority of the games, every Link stands for the hero reincarnated for the fight against evil.
Regardless of wearing green tunic, wearing scarves, or having animal companions ALL the Links have courage, the connection to the Triforce within themselves, and the responsibility to save Hyrule. Said in that way, they are not the same person but they are destined to be so.
Zelda’s Role as Hylia’s Chosen
Zelda also repeats the cycle in the series and changes position according to the environment of the game. In one game she is a hardcore princess and in the other, such as Skyward Sword, she becomes the reincarnation of the goddess Hylia herself.
Both Zeldas pass on knowledge and have an association with Link and the Triforce to stress an ongoing role for the character in the world of Hyrule during its future games.
How Does Ganon Fit Into the Picture?
The third part of this triangle of enormous longevity is Ganon (or Ganondorf). Same as Link and Zelda, Ganon is also present in different characters of the games.
Typically seen as evil incarnate, Ganon’s lust for power puts Link and Zelda back into action, and following tradition, fighting the evil for millennia.
The Triforce and the Eternal Conflict
The major dark mysterious object of The Legend of Zelda series is called the Triforce – which symbolizes superior abilities – Power, Wisdom, and Courage.
These virtues are represented by Link, Zelda, and Ganon, in many different games with the artifact playing a pivotal role in the destiny of all three characters.
The Triforce makes sure that though there are character transformations or exchanges the balancing of Light and Dark is preserved.
