Goddess of Time: Difference between revisions

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(placement of cite implies that it is the first mention of the Goddess of Time, while it says nothing about her. removing as unnecessary)
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==Theories==
==Theories==
{{Theory|start}}
{{Theory|start}}
The "Goddess of Time" is variously thought to either be an epithet for one of the [[Golden Goddesses]], [[Hylia]], or an additional, independent deity. Whoever the Goddess is, it is clear that she is linked with the Princess of Hyrule, Zelda, who is not only the Sage of Time, but also the one to introduce Link to the Temple of Time, the Ocarina of Time, the Song of Time, and even the concept of a Goddess of Time. Using these instruments, Zelda is also able to manipulate time in order to send Link back to his youth, creating the [[Child Timeline]] in which Ganon was caught before entering the Sacred Realm. The Goddess is also associated with the Temple of Time both for its name, and for being the site of several gateways between past and present, its status as the gateway to the [[Sacred Realm]], and being closely associated with Zelda, who aside from Link and [[Impa]], is the only person to regularly appear within the temple at any point in the ''Zelda'' series.
[[File:nayru statue2.jpg|thumb|frame|right|A statue of the goddess Nayru, as seen in ''Twilight Princess'', one of the most probable candidates for the Goddess of Time.]]
[[File:nayru statue2.jpg|thumb|frame|right|A statue of the goddess Nayru, as seen in ''Twilight Princess'', one of the most probable candidates for the Goddess of Time.]]
The identity of the Goddess of Time has not been canonically revealed to date. The ''Zelda'' community has repeatedly attempted to theorize who or what she could be, and in some of the most prevalent cases, each one of the Golden Goddesses and a non-canon Fourth Goddess have been assigned to the role by theorists. ''Zelda Wiki'' strives not to take sides in debates, but instead to present as many solid sides to the debate as possible. Each argument, however elegant has its own flaws and weaknesses more fitting for forum debate than encyclopedic documentation.
{{c|Naryu|Goddess}}, the Goddess of Wisdom who set down the laws of nature<ref>{{cite manual|quote= The God of Wisdom created science and wizardry and brought order to nature.|game= A Link to the Past|page= 3}}</ref><ref>{{cite|Nayru...poured her wisdom onto the earth and gave the spirit of law to the world.|The Great Deku Tree|Ocarina of Time}}</ref> and whose oracle, {{c|Nayru|Oracle}}, watches over the flow of time, is often thought to be the Goddess of Time. Attributing the Temple of Time to her would also provide a triad with the [[Earth Temple|Earth]] and [[Wind Temple]]s of {{TWW}}, easily associated with the earth-shaper {{c|Din|Goddess}} and the wind-giving {{c|Farore|Goddess}} The holder of her [[Triforce of Wisdom]], [[Princess Zelda]], is even the Sage of Time, one who gives Link the [[Ocarina of Time]] and teaches him the [[Song of Time]].
 
===Possible Candidates===
====[[Nayru (Goddess)|Nayru]]====
Of all characters throughout the entire ''Zelda'' series, the one character that many gamers consider one of the best candidates to be the Goddess of Time is none other than the very goddess that created science and wizardry, bringing order to nature,<ref>{{cite manual|quote= The God of Wisdom created science and wizardry and brought order to nature.|game= A Link to the Past|page= 3}}</ref> likely including the governing mechanics of ''time'' itself, the [[Nayru (Goddess)|Goddess of Wisdom Nayru]]. There are many reasons for this association, first and foremost being Nayru's responsibility for creating the laws of time.<ref>{{cite|Nayru...poured her wisdom onto the earth and gave the spirit of law to the world.|The Great Deku Tree|Ocarina of Time}}</ref> Another piece of evidence supporting this theory is the association of her counterpart Oracle, [[Nayru (Oracle)|Nayru the Oracle of Ages]], with time. She possesses the power to manipulate and control time with the [[Harp of Ages]]. Link also acquires the Ocarina of Time as well as learns the Song of Time from Princess Zelda, who holds the [[Triforce#Triforce of Wisdom|Triforce of Wisdom]] (Nayru's contribution to the [[Triforce]]). Zelda is also the first and only person to ever mention the Goddess of Time. Zelda is also closely associated with the ancient [[Temple of Time]], which is the place she very first teaches Link the Song of Time in a vision in ''Ocarina of Time'' as well as being the place which she reveals herself as the Leader of the Sages near the end of that game. As such, Nayru is also thought to be closely associated with the Temple of Time as well. Zelda also exhibits the power to manipulate time with the Ocarina of Time.
 
====[[Farore (Goddess)|Farore]]====
The possibility of [[Farore (Goddess)|Farore]] as the Goddess of Time has also found fan support. It is Link, the bearer of the [[Triforce#Triforce of Courage|Triforce of Courage]] who becomes the Hero of Time,<ref>{{cite|The one who holds the Triforce of Courage is...You, Link!|Sheik|Ocarina of Time}}</ref> utilizes the Ocarina of Time, and time travels in ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time|Ocarina of Time]]'', ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask|Majora's Mask]]'', and ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages|Oracle of Ages]]''. Another incarnation of Link whom also obtained the Triforce of Courage during the events of ''[[The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker|The Wind Waker]]'' performed minimal time manipulations in the sequel ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass|Phantom Hourglass]]''. His fairy companion, [[Ciela]], is revealed to be the '''Spirit of Courage and Time'''.<ref>{{cite|Link, I remember it all now... Link, I'm Ciela the Spirit of Time and Courage...|Ciela|Phantom Hourglass}}</ref> During the final battle with [[Bellum]], Ciela creates a [[Phantom Sphere]] to freeze time for a moment. One last lesser use of a time freeze occurs again by Link in ''[[The Legend of Zelda (Game)|The Legend of Zelda]]''. The contact activated [[Magical Clock|clock]] seemingly pauses time for enemies on screen. However, Farore has long been associated with the element of wind given the spell named after her in ''Ocarina of Time'' was called [[Spells of Ocarina of Time#Farore's Wind|Farore's Wind]], and the possiblity that the [[Wind Temple]] was built to honor her.
 
====[[Tetraforce#A Fourth Goddess|Fourth Goddess]]====
The Goddess of Time could be yet undisclosed entity to herself, and is none of the [[Golden Goddesses]]. As there are more than three deities in ''The Legend of Zelda'' series (see the [[:Category:Deities|Deities Category]]), it stands to reason that the Goddess of Time would not necessarily have to be one of the Golden Goddesses, but perhaps a minor deity. Adherents of this belief have well observed smaller details of the games to show how another goddess could exist. The Goddess of Time has only been mentioned by Princess Zelda and the people in Termina, the parallel world to Hyrule. One may even speculate that Terminians may have their own creation myths.
 
Alternatively, this other goddeess might merely govern time, but was not its creator.
 
====[[Hylia]]====
''[[The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword|Skyward Sword]]'' introduces a Goddess character whose name is discovered to be Hylia. In her messages to Link throughout the game, Hylia states that she speaks to Link from a place at the edge of time. Hylia is also assosiated with Time through Zelda, who is Hylia reborn as a mortal. Hylia also charged Impa with the task of entering a [[Gate of Time]] to assist Zelda in her quest, however, the goddess has no known time manipulation powers.
 
===Nonexistent===
Like the [[Golden Goddesses]] and the [[Mountain Goddess]], with whom she may in fact be conflated, the Goddess of Time never explicitly appears in person during the events of the series, so it is possible that she does not actually exist within the ''Zelda'' universe.
 
===Associations===
The Goddess of Time is thought by many gamers to be closely associated with various important people, places and items found throughout the series, many of which include:


====[[Princess Zelda]]====
However, Zelda is also the descendant of the Goddess {{c|Hylia|Goddess}}, who reincarnated herself through time as the original [[Zelda]], and who used the original [[Gates of Time]] to combat the demon king [[Demise]], as well as temporarily enshrining herself within the [[Sealed Grounds]] that became the [[Temple of Time]], and creating the [[Master Sword]] that is said to be a "ship that sails through time".
The Princess of Hyrule, Zelda, is considered to be one of the people associated with the Goddess of Time largely because she is the first to display knowledge of the Goddess's existence as well as her own relations to the element of time. Zelda is the one that teaches Link the Song of Time, the song necessary to call for the Goddess's aid, as well as the one that gives him the Ocarina of Time, the instrument necessary to call upon her. Zelda possesses the Triforce of Wisdom, the piece of the Triforce left behind by Nayru, the one most closely associated with the laws of time out of the three [[Golden Goddesses]]. Zelda also exhibits some power over time as well when she displays the ability to send the Hero of Time back to his original time using the Ocarina of Time. It is unknown if this power was granted her by the Goddess of Time in a similar fashion to how Link used the Ocarina of Time to relive his three days in Termina, but it remains a possibility nonetheless. This all remains pure speculation at the present time, but it is very worth noting the many links that can be drawn between Zelda and the Goddess of Time herself.


====[[Temple of Time]]====
A less potent candidate is the Goddess of Courage {{c|Farore|Goddess}}, who is associated with the the "Spirit of Courage '''and Time'''" [[Ciela]].<ref>{{cite|Link, I remember it all now... Link, I'm Ciela the Spirit of Time and Courage...|Ciela|Phantom Hourglass}}</ref> There is also the possibility that the Goddess of Time is not real at all, and is merely a folk belief; however, given the very real, physical presence of deities in the world of Hyrule, it is unlikely that the Hylians would belive in the existence of a god that left no physical traces.
As is implied by its name, the Temple of Time is the one location most closely associated with the Goddess of Time, seeing how the temple is dedicated to the element of time which is governed by the Goddess of Time. The Temple of Time is known for its status as the gateway to the [[Sacred Realm]] and is closely associated with Princess Zelda, who is seen multiple times within the temple and possesses Nayru's piece of the Triforce, that of the goddess responsible for the laws of time. As it is built for the element of time, the Temple of Time is thought to be dedicated to the Goddess of Time by many gamers.
{{Theory|end}}
{{Theory|end}}


Revision as of 21:07, 27 January 2014

“
The Goddess of Time is protecting you. If you play the Song of Time, she will aid you...
”
— Princess Zelda

Template:Character

The Goddess of Time is a character first mentioned in Majora's Mask as being the one responsible for assisting in the quest of the Hero of Time, Link, by allowing him to relive his three days in the land of Termina many times over on his quest to stop the Moon from crashing into Termina. This apocalyptic situation is due to the evil power of Majora, whose evil essence overtakes the Skull Kid when he puts on the powerful Majora’s Mask, causing him to attempt to destroy Termina by pulling the Moon from its orbit. Link is first told of the Goddess of Time by Princess Zelda shortly before leaving Hyrule on his quest to find his fairy companion Navi. Zelda tells Link that if he should play the Song of Time on the Ocarina of Time (which she gave to him as a parting gift) in a time of great need, the Goddess of Time would come to his aid. This is proven true whenever Link plays the mystical song on the ocarina, where he is sent back through time and finds himself right back where he began on his first day in Termina. With the aid of the Goddess of Time, Link is able to manipulate time and traverse Termina in search of the mythical Four Giants, who are capable of stopping Termina's coming doom.

Appearances

Majora's Mask

The Goddess of Time is officially mentioned in only one game of the series to date, Majora's Mask.[1] While she is never physically seen, her presence is very apparent as the force behind Link's time-travel abilities. She can be called upon by playing the mysterious Song of Time upon the sacred Ocarina of Time, and she will answer the one holding the Ocarina of Time by sending them back through time.

She is first mentioned by Princess Zelda when Link leaves on his journey to locate Navi, following the end of Ocarina of Time. This encounter is recalled by Link when he reclaims the Ocarina of Time from the Skull Kid's possession atop the Clock Tower in South Clock Town on the night of the Final Day, the eve of the Carnival of Time. Zelda reassured him that the Goddess of Time was protecting him and that, if he played the Song of Time, she would come to his aid should he need her.

Unlike the Golden Goddesses, who do not seem to be revered in Termina at all, the Goddess of Time is mentioned by a few Terminans, who usually call out to her for her protective powers. When Tatl exclaims that they need more time, she calls out for the help of the Goddess of Time after Link remembers his encounter with Zelda.[2] The man who takes shelter in the Oceanside Spider House also asks the Goddess of Time for her protection for the falling moon.[3]

Using the power of the Ocarina of Time, Link plays the Song of Time and is surprised to find himself speeding back through time, landing in front of the Clock Tower at the dawn of the First Day.[4] Link makes use of this power granted to him by the Goddess of Time countless times throughout his adventure to save Termina and eventually succeeds in his efforts of freeing the Four Giants,[5] something he could not have possibly hoped to accomplish without this time-travel power.

Theories

Theory Warning

The "Goddess of Time" is variously thought to either be an epithet for one of the Golden Goddesses, Hylia, or an additional, independent deity. Whoever the Goddess is, it is clear that she is linked with the Princess of Hyrule, Zelda, who is not only the Sage of Time, but also the one to introduce Link to the Temple of Time, the Ocarina of Time, the Song of Time, and even the concept of a Goddess of Time. Using these instruments, Zelda is also able to manipulate time in order to send Link back to his youth, creating the Child Timeline in which Ganon was caught before entering the Sacred Realm. The Goddess is also associated with the Temple of Time both for its name, and for being the site of several gateways between past and present, its status as the gateway to the Sacred Realm, and being closely associated with Zelda, who aside from Link and Impa, is the only person to regularly appear within the temple at any point in the Zelda series.

File:Nayru statue2.jpg
A statue of the goddess Nayru, as seen in Twilight Princess, one of the most probable candidates for the Goddess of Time.

Template:C, the Goddess of Wisdom who set down the laws of nature[6][7] and whose oracle, Template:C, watches over the flow of time, is often thought to be the Goddess of Time. Attributing the Temple of Time to her would also provide a triad with the Earth and Wind Temples of The Wind Waker, easily associated with the earth-shaper Template:C and the wind-giving Template:C The holder of her Triforce of Wisdom, Princess Zelda, is even the Sage of Time, one who gives Link the Ocarina of Time and teaches him the Song of Time.

However, Zelda is also the descendant of the Goddess Template:C, who reincarnated herself through time as the original Zelda, and who used the original Gates of Time to combat the demon king Demise, as well as temporarily enshrining herself within the Sealed Grounds that became the Temple of Time, and creating the Master Sword that is said to be a "ship that sails through time".

A less potent candidate is the Goddess of Courage Template:C, who is associated with the the "Spirit of Courage and Time" Ciela.[8] There is also the possibility that the Goddess of Time is not real at all, and is merely a folk belief; however, given the very real, physical presence of deities in the world of Hyrule, it is unlikely that the Hylians would belive in the existence of a god that left no physical traces.

Trivia

The Goddess of Time is briefly mentioned by the Oracle of Ages Nayru within the Oracle of Ages manga.[9]

See Also

Fourth Goddess

References

  1. ↑ "The Goddess of Time is protecting you. If you play the Song of Time, she will aid you..." — Princess Zelda (Majora's Mask)
  2. ↑ "Somebody! Anybody!!! Goddess of Time, help us please! We need more time!" — Tatl (Majora's Mask)
  3. ↑ "Only a little more than two days left...Oh, Goddess of Time, please save me..." — Man in Spiderhoues (Majora's Mask)
  4. ↑ "W-What just happened?! Everything has... ...started over... Wha...What are you, anyway? That song you played... That instrument..." — Tatl (Majora's Mask)
  5. ↑ "Waahhhhh! This isn't good! Let's go back! Let's go back! Hurry! The Song of Time! The Song of Time!!!" — Tatl (Majora's Mask)
  6. ↑ "The God of Wisdom created science and wizardry and brought order to nature." (A Link to the Past manual, pg. 3)
  7. ↑ "Nayru...poured her wisdom onto the earth and gave the spirit of law to the world." — The Great Deku Tree (Ocarina of Time)
  8. ↑ "Link, I remember it all now... Link, I'm Ciela the Spirit of Time and Courage..." — Ciela (Phantom Hourglass)
  9. ↑ Template:Cite book
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