Summary

• The Zelda series has many games that are only loosely connected, leaving plenty of mysteries unresolved.
• Prominent figures and cultures, like the Deku Tree and the Twili have both unknown origins and unresolved futures.
• Even key characters in the creation of Hyrule remain largely enigmatic.

Since its start in 1986, many fan theories and in-depth investigations. However, despite all the speculation and exploration, some big mysteries within the Zelda lore remain unsolved. These persistent enigmas consistently capture the fascination of the Zelda community, challenging players with their resistance to conventional interpretations.

Ten of the most compelling and unresolved mysteries in The Legend of Zelda series are explored below, focusing on cryptic symbols and unexplained events. These secrets have persisted as major talking points among fans and researchers alike. By systematically unraveling these long-standing riddles, the aim is to shed light on the elements of Zelda's lore that still defy resolution.

10 The Wind Waker's Flooded Hyrule Has An Unresolved Fate

Phantom Hourglass And Spirit Tracks Leave It Behind

At the end of The Wind Waker, which many players still hope will rerelease on Nintendo Switch, Hyrule is submerged beneath the ocean, leaving behind a sunken kingdom lost to the waves. This dramatic shift marks a significant moment in the series, representing the end of Hyrule's known history and the beginning of a new era. The game concludes with the kingdom's remnants hidden underwater, and while it is suggested that the land may eventually resurface, the specifics of its fate remain unresolved. The submerged Hyrule symbolizes loss and potential renewal, raising questions about what became of its people, their culture, and their artifacts.

Phantom Hourglass and Spirit Tracks explore the connection to the submerged Hyrule by introducing new lands and civilizations. Phantom Hourglass presents a new world in the form of the Great Sea, distinct from the sunken Hyrule, while Spirit Tracks introduces a new continent called New Hyrule. These games suggest a continuation of the Wind Waker timeline, with New Hyrule being founded as a fresh start after the previous game's events. However, the detailed story of how Hyrule's legacy was preserved and how its ancient ruins influenced the new world remains largely unexplored.

9 The Fierce Deity Mask Is Never Explained In Majora's Mask

The Fierce Deity's Identity And Origin Are Mysteries

In The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask, the Fierce Deity's Mask is one of the game's most intriguing and powerful items. It allows Link to transform into the Fierce Deity, a tall warrior with immense strength and a mighty sword. Despite its prominence and potency, the origins and full implications of the Fierce Deity's Mask remain mysterious, much like the unresolved fate of Navi, whose story was left incomplete.

The mask is obtained through a complex side quest involving the collection of all other masks and is only available in the game's most challenging areas. However, the title provides little information about whom the Fierce Deity was or how the mask came to be. The mask's connection to the game's main antagonist, Majora, is also unclear. Some theories suggest that the Fierce Deity was a powerful ancient hero or deity imprisoned or transformed into a mask, but the specifics are never fully explained.

8 The Deku Tree Is An Enigmatic, Ancient Guardian In Many Zelda Games

Protector Of The Kokiri And The Koroks

In Ocarina of Time, the Great Deku Tree is a central figure in the Kokiri Forest and serves as its revered guardian. Despite his significant role, the origins and nature of the Great Deku Tree remain shrouded in mystery. The game reveals that he has been a protector for centuries, but the details of his creation and how he became the guardian of the Kokiri are never fully explained. The Great Deku Tree's existence as a primordial being hints at a deeper lore about the world of Hyrule and its ancient inhabitants. His role as the keeper of the forest and the wisdom he imparts to Link suggest a long and storied history not fully explored in the game.

Additionally, the presence of subsequent Deku Tree incarnations and their connection to the Great Deku Tree raises further questions about the role of these mystical entities in Hyrule. The origins of these trees, their relationship to the Great Deku Tree, and their broader significance in the world's lore remain unexplored. The Great Deku Tree's mysterious past and the role of the Deku Trees in the game's wider narrative add layers of intrigue to the lore of The Legend of Zelda. This enigma invites speculation about how these ancient protectors fit into Hyrule's larger history and mythology.

7 The Enigma Of The Golden Goddesses

Creators Of Hyrule And The Triforce

In The Legend of Zelda series, the Golden Goddesses, Din, Farore, and Nayru, are highly regarded as the creators of the world and central figures in the franchise's lore. According to the games, these deities shaped the land of Hyrule and imbued it with magic, but their true nature and the extent of their influence remain enigmatic. While the Goddesses' roles are mentioned across various titles, their entire backstory and the impact of their actions are not entirely explored.

The series offers some insight into the Goddesses' role in creating Hyrule and establishing the Triforce. Still, it only provides a few details about their origins, personalities, or interactions with the world. Fans continue to debate why the Goddesses became less directly involved over time, leading to ongoing speculation. Their mysterious legacy still intrigues and sparks curiosity, as their story remains one of the most profound and unsolved aspects of Zelda's expansive mythology.

6 The Oocca Remain The Forgotten Race Of Twilight Princess

A Technologically Advanced Civilization From Hyrule's Past

In The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, the creepy-looking Oocca are introduced as an ancient, bird-like race inhabiting the City in the Sky. Their advanced civilization, marked by sophisticated architecture and technology, is closely tied to the divine origins of Hyrule. The Oocca are said to be connected to the gods, with some legends suggesting that they played a vital role in the creation of the Hylian people and the world itself. This connection is further emphasized by their possession of the Dominion Rod, a powerful artifact that manipulates statues imbued with ancient magic.

Despite their apparent significance, the Oocca's history and the reasons behind their isolation in the City in the Sky are mysterious. Their civilization appears to have once flourished, but by the time of Twilight Princess, it seems to be in decline, with only a few Oocca remaining. The exact nature of their relationship with the gods and their role in the grander scheme of Hyrule's lore are mainly left unexplored in the game. The Oocca's mysterious background and their enigmatic presence in Hyrule continue to intrigue fans, as their true purpose and origins remain one of the most obscure elements of the Zelda series.

5 Unveiling The Secrets Of The Minish Race's Origins

Tiny Beings And Their Impact On Hyrule

In The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap, a game that many fans hope will receive a remake, players are introduced to the Minish, a tiny, mysterious race that exists in a hidden world parallel to Hyrule. These little beings are credited with gifting the Picori Blade, an ancient and powerful weapon, to the people of Hyrule and scattering Kinstones throughout the land. Despite their crucial role in the game, little is known about the origins of the Minish, their connection to the broader Zelda lore, or the extent of their influence on Hyrule's history.

The Minish, also known as the Picori, are portrayed as benevolent creatures with a deep understanding of magic and ancient relics. Their hidden world, accessible only to children, suggests a connection to Hyrule's ancient, forgotten era. However, the game leaves many questions unanswered about where the Minish came from, why they chose to help the people of Hyrule, and what their ultimate fate was after the events of The Minish Cap.

4 The Ultimate Fate Of Twilight Princess' Twili Is Unknown

Connection To The Twilight Realm Was Severed

In The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, the Twili are presented as a shadowy race exiled to the Twilight Realm due to their ancestors' misuse of powerful dark magic. Throughout the game, players witness the Twili's transformation under Zant's oppressive rule and their eventual liberation with the defeat of Ganondorf. However, after Midna shatters the Mirror of Twilight, the connection between the Twilight Realm and Hyrule is severed, leaving the future of the Twili shrouded in mystery.

The Twili are described as a once-thriving civilization with unique magic and technology, yet their future after Twilight Princess remains unexplored. With the destruction of the Mirror, it is unclear whether the Twili continue to exist in their isolated realm or if they have any further connection to the world of light. The mystery surrounding their fate, culture, and whether they might ever return to Hyrule leaves fans speculating about their place in the Zelda timeline.

3 Skyward Sword's Ancient Robots Have A Mysterious Connection To Hylia

Hidden History Of The Lanayru Desert

In The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, which received a definitive HD version in 2021, players encounter the Ancient Robots, mechanical beings that once served the goddess Hylia in the distant past. These robots, found in the Lanayru Desert, are powered by Time Shift Stones, which allow them to function in a state reminiscent of their former glory. Despite their advanced technology and important role in maintaining the desert’s ancient infrastructure, little is known about who created them or why they were abandoned.

The Ancient Robots possess knowledge of the past. They are integral to navigating the Lanayru region, yet the reasons behind their creation and the eventual decline of their civilization remain unclear. Their connection to Hylia suggests they may have played a significant role in the early history of Hyrule, possibly tied to the events leading up to the war against Demise. However, their precise origins, the extent of their influence on Hyrule’s development, and the cause of their downfall are left unexplained, making the Ancient Robots one of the most intriguing and unexplored mysteries in the Zelda series.

2 Arcane Origins And Secret Powers Of The Four Sword

Mysteries Of The Legendary Weapon

In The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords, now available on the Switch Online service, the Four Sword is introduced as a powerful magical artifact capable of splitting its wielder into four separate forms. This unique ability allows the to simultaneously tackle challenges and enemies from multiple angles, adding a strategic layer to the gameplay. Despite its central role in the game, the origins of the Four Sword and the full extent of its powers are not entirely explained.

The Four Sword's connection to ancient magic and its ability to create multiple versions of Link hint at a deeper, more intricate backstory. It is implied that the sword has ties to the Great Fairies and possibly the divine entities of the Zelda universe, yet its exact creation and the reasons behind its design remain a mystery. Additionally, the sword's role in other games, such as The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures, suggests that it may have been influenced by or related to other legendary artifacts, but these connections are never fully explored.

1 Zelda's Ancient Great Fairies Remain A Huge Riddle

Secrets Of The Ubiquitous Magical Guardians

The Great Fairies in The Legend of Zelda series are enigmatic figures who bestow powerful upgrades and enhancements upon Link. These majestic beings are often encountered in secluded, mystical locations across Hyrule, such as hidden caves or sacred springs. Their role in aiding Link with magic and health boosts suggests a deep and ancient connection to the land's mysterious forces.

Despite their significant role, the true origins of the Great Fairies and their exact place in Hyrule's lore remain largely unexplored. They are described as ancient entities with immense power. Yet, their backstory, including how they came to inhabit their sacred locations and their ultimate purpose within The Legend of Zelda universe, is not thoroughly detailed. The games hint at their profound connection to Hyrule's magical fabric, but specifics about their creation, their relationship with other divine beings or races, and their historical influence on the land's magic are left ambiguous.