The Goddess of Time seems to be a relatively obscure deity in The Legend of Zelda’s mythos. Despite her clear relevance in a series littered with examples of time travel, she isn't even given a name. However, it could be that this goddess is actually already well-known to fans in another capacity.
The Goddess of Time’s obscurity is such that she is referred to only in Majora’s Mask. In the game's opening stages, as the Moon falls at the end of the Third Day, Princess Zelda notes in a flashback that the goddess is protecting Link. Moreover, her power is what enables the time travel in Majora’s Mask; playing the Song of Time allows Link to call on the goddess for help. Nevertheless, despite her being instrumental in saving Termina, the Goddess of Time is relegated firmly to the background. That being said, however, the title of ‘Goddess of Time’ could actually refer to a more familiar being.
The Goddess Of Time Could Be Another Hylian Deity
In The Legend of Zelda, there are two major goddesses with a clear connection to time. This provides fans with two strong candidates for the Goddess of Time’s true identity. The first of these is the Golden Goddess Nayru. Described as creating the laws of the land for Hyrule, it seems likely that some of these laws concerned time and space. In addition to this, Nayru’s namesake, the often underrated Oracle of Ages’ titular character, possesses the power of time travel. When also considering her hair is blue, the goddess’s own emblematic color, it could be the oracle was named for the goddess due to their strong parallels.
Hylia Could Also Be The Goddess of Time
Another significant candidate for the title of Goddess of Time is Hylia. Although best known as the protector of Hyrule and the Triforce in the Golden Goddesses’ stead, it is undeniable that she has her own affinity for time travel. These connections are both personal and through her reincarnation/descendants, the various Zeldas. For example, the Temple of Time in Skyward Sword contains a Gate of Time built by Hylia. More recently, fans have seen the Zelda of Age Of Calamity creating a robotic sidekick in Terrako, a miniature Guardian also capable of time travel.
It is clear that both Nayru and Hylia have strong connections to the concept of time, and could therefore be the mysterious Goddess of Time. Hylia has a close personal connection to Link through the events in Skyward Sword, making her perfect for the role of a divine protector as seen in Majora’s Mask. However, Nayru being in a position to define the function of time during the creation of Hyrule is a significant fact in her favor. Either way, it is interesting to note both Zelda and Terminans acknowledge the Goddess of Time, meaning she is worshiped in Legend of Zelda settings beyond Hyrule itself.
Of course, without confirmation from developers, it is impossible to say for sure exactly who the Goddess of Time is. It is entirely possible for the apparently nameless goddess to be Nayru, Hylia, or perhaps even another divine entity altogether. Nevertheless, of the two major goddesses, Nayru may have the stronger case. She most likely set Hyrule’s time in motion, and the Oracle of Time sharing her name also seems to be closely inspired by the goddess. As such, Nayru could very well be the Goddess of Time, using her divine wisdom to both oversee its age and facilitate time travel in The Legend of Zelda.
Source: Kristian Sanchez/YouTube
