Light

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Light is a recurring element in The Legend of Zelda series.^[1] 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 Ocarina of Time, 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 Ocarina of Time. 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 A Link to the Past, 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 Twilight Princess, light plays a similar role as in A Link to the Past. 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

It is revealed in The Wind Waker that the Master Sword must be blessed by light in order to show its Power to Repel Evil. Whereas the Sages of Light, Forest, Fire, Water, Shadow and Spirit are tasked to seal evil, the Sages of Earth and Wind must pray inside their respective temples in order to infuse the Master Sword with the aforementioned power. In Twilight Princess, however, the Master Sword is blessed instead by the light from the Sols in the Twilight Realm, and this light is the only one capable of penetrating Zant's defenses. It's unknown whether or not this light has effect in the Light World as well, however. In Spirit Tracks, 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 Ocarina of Time, they also lift evil seals. The Light Arrows are, along with the Silver Arrows, the ultimate weapon to defeat Ganon.

In Skyward Sword, the Goddess Sword can shoot a light beam when put in a skyward position (pointing at the sky).

Light as a puzzle device

Sols are useful to remove dark fog in *Twilight Princess*.

Light-based dungeon mechanics have taken a variety of forms throughout the series and can range from as simple as lighting torches to solving complex sun and mirror puzzles.

In A Link to the Past, the Lantern is used to control light levels in darker areas of Hyrule Castle by lighting multiple torches before they slowly extinguish. A similar puzzle exists in Hyrule Castle's Twilight Princess incarnation which involves lighting and extinguishing specific torches to manipulate staircase steps. In Tears of the Kingdom, lighting becomes a vital mechanic when traversing the Depths; here Link can throw or fire Brighbloom Seeds from his bow to navigate the pitch darkness (alternatively he can drink a Bright Elixir or use a Light device), while Lightroots can illuminate an entire region and reverse Gloom damage when activated.

Manipulating light beams is a common dungeon mechanic utilized across the series, particularly in mirror puzzles. In Ocarina of Time, sunlight is used in the Spirit Temple and the Spirit Room to activate Sun Switches, which can involve moving the switch into the beam path or redirecting sunlight using large mirrors. After the Mirror Shield is acquired, sunlight can be manually redirected at various angles to hit areas that were previously unreachable. In Majora's Mask, this mechanic returns in the Ikana region, particularly in Stone Tower Temple, Ikana Castle, and the well. The Stone Tower Temple is unique in that Light Arrows are consciously used to solve puzzles; once they are acquired, any puzzle that previously required the Mirror Shield can be bypassed by firing a Light Arrow directly at the Sun Switch. In The Wind Waker, sun and mirror puzzles return in the Earth Temple, where Medli can use her reflective harp to redirect sunlight in conjunction with Link's Mirror Shield. In Tears of the Kingdom, Link can redirect sunlight in the Lightning Temple with the Mirror part.

Sunlight is also used in other ways. In A Link to the Past, the core mechanic of Thieves' Town involves bombing various floors of the hideout to bring sunlight into the lowest level to reveal Blind the Thief's true form. Sunlight is also used in the Temple of Droplets to melt ice in The Minish Cap, the Temple of Time to track Armogohma's movements in Twilight Princess, and the Dark Palace to activate eyeball switches in A Link Between Worlds.

Puzzles may also take the form of optical illusions, similar to those in Dark-themed dungeons. These may involve using the Lens of Truth to discover invisible enemies, barriers, platforms, and fake walls like those found in the Light Room in Ocarina of Time; or in Ikana Castle, the well, and Ikana graveyard in Majora's Mask. The entrance to the Temple of Time dungeon in Twilight Princess is revealed behind a illusory window in the Master Sword chamber; inside, Link must use his wolf senses to detect a hologram-like mirage of the missing statue. In Skyward Sword, Link must use his dowsing ability to locate the Sandship, which is cloaked and invisible to the naked eye. Additionally, puzzles can involve platforms and staircases of solid light, such as in the Tower of the Gods and at the Temple of Time's dungeon entrance. In the Palace of Twilight, Link must used a Sol-infused Master Sword to activate such platforms.

Stealth segments such as those found in the Forsaken Fortress, Eldin Volcano, and Infiltration of Hyrule Castle involve the avoidance of searchlights and other illuminated areas.

Lasers present a more physical hazard and are wielded by enemies such as Beamos, Eyegores, and Guardians. In A Link to the Past, Laser Eyes pose a particular threat in Turtle Rock; certain areas can only be accessed by blocking their beams with the Mirror Shield. Beamos and electrifying beam traps are also common in the Temple of Time dungeon and Tower of the Gods, and beam-emitting Moblin statues guard the Forsaken Fortress. In the main section of the Final Trial in Breath of the Wild, Guardians appear successively after Link completes each of the four elemental sections of the Divine Beast and must defeat them each time. Lasers are not always an obstacle and can be used to Link's benefit; in Phantom Hourglass, tribal statues emit beams which pinpoint spots of interest, such as the Temple of Courage. In Spirit Tracks, certain crystals emit a laser after Link plays the Song of Light. In Tears of the Kingdom, many Shrines of Light are revealed after Link brings a crystal to the shrine entrance; the crystals emit a thin beam which points in the right direction, making the task easier. Link can also find the Beam Emitter part to use lasers offensively.

Dungeon mechanics involving color such as those found in the Color Dungeon and Illusory Mansion may also be interpreted as light-based puzzles.

Light as an arbiter

In Skyward Sword, 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 Wind Waker, 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 Majora's Mask).
Eyegore (weakened in Majora's Mask).
Jalhalla (stunned in The Wind Waker).

Enemies

Boo Buddy (stunned and weakened when Link turns the lights on in Link's Awakening).
Dark ChuChu (turned into stone in The Wind Waker).
ReDead (killed instantly in Majora's Mask, stunned in The Wind Waker).
Floormaster (killed instantly in Majora's Mask).
Death Armos (their weaknesses exposed in Majora's Mask).
Shadow Beast (killed instantly in Twilight Princess).
Nocturn (weakened in Spirit Tracks).
Phantom (stunned for possession in Spirit Tracks).