The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword's Placement on the Timeline Explained

The Legend of Zelda franchise has had numerous entries since it began in 1986 on the NES. Each installment has had its own spin on the Legend of Zelda style and atmosphere based on a solid formula that balances combat, exploration, and puzzle solving. With more than a dozen mainline games available to dive into, there is no shortage of options for fans to enjoy, regardless of whether these players are veterans or new. However, it is worth noting that these games were not released in the lore's chronological order.

While there are various theories and debates for the true order of the timeline, The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword is considered the start of this epic and lengthy adventure series. From plot points in the game itself to fans connecting the dots over the years, The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword provides context and explanations for recurring series elements like the Master Sword, Triforce, and an evil precursor to Ganon named Demise. While a thrilling quest in its own right, Skyward Sword manages to fit itself snugly into the earliest point on the timeline, planting the seeds for many events to come.

Before Skyward Sword - Era of Hylia/Triforce Creation

triforce, or three golden triangles, glowing

As mentioned during the storyline of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, in the context of this fictional world there was nothing at the beginning of time. This was until three goddesses named Din, Farore, and Nayru descended from the heavens and breathed life into the landscape, giving birth to the land that would later become known as Hyrule. Before these beings departed, they left behind the Triforce - an item which would give its owner immeasurable power.

Fast forward and the Triforce is entrusted to the Goddess Hylia, sworn to protect it at all costs. Shortly thereafter, the Demon King Demise rallies an army in an attempt to steal the Triforce for his own malevolent plans. Hylia is able to push the menace back and preserve the Triforce as a force for good. After this conflict, Hylia gathered the surviving humans and lifted a giant piece of land into the sky beyond a cloud barrier. This piece of land would later be named "Skyloft," the main setting in Skyward Sword, and the Triforce would remain hidden there in secret for generations to come.

Skyward Sword - The Sky Era

Thousands of years after these events is when The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword fits into the story, as Link awakens one morning and finds himself thrust into a perilous journey. In this time, Hylia is reborn as Zelda, who is established to already have a strong friendship with Link. The game begins on the 25th anniversary of the "Wind Festival" (which at the time, was a reference to the 25th anniversary of The Legend of Zelda series) as a huge celebration is being prepared. During this event, Zelda is dragged down to the surface world by Ghirahim in an attempt to help revive his dormant master Demise. Not long after landing on the surface, Zelda learns she is the reincarnation of Hylia.

Link, guided by the spirit called Fi, jumps into action by jumping off Skyloft and down into the abandoned world underneath the cloud barrier. Link discovers the Goddess Sword, which after being fused with three sacred flames is tempered into the Master Sword. This activates the second seal on the Sealed Temple, opening the Temple of Time. He travels back to an era shortly after Demise was first sealed away, locates Zelda, and discovers she wishes to place herself in a 1,000 year slumber in order to maintain the seal.

Upon returning to the present, Link traverses many sections of the land to gather the pieces of the Triforce. Once this task is completed, Link uses this power to defeat Demise. Zelda awakens from her long slumber only to be kidnapped by Ghirahim, who once again brings her back in time to revive Demise. In another epic battle, Link ultimately comes out as the victor, and Demise threatens that a form of his hatred will haunt Link and Zelda throughout the ages. Link then thrusts the Master Sword into a pedestal within the Temple of Time, where it will be discovered later by the Link in Ocarina of Time. Fi remain dormant within the sword, while Zelda and other members of Skyloft return to the surface world, their descendants becoming the inhabitants of Hyrule.

Skyward Sword's Setup For Later Games

Serving as the foundation for the many trials and tribulations to befall the descendants of Hyrule in the coming eras, Skyward Sword lays the groundwork for many different titles in the series. Most notable are the continued struggles for the Triforce itself, as it attracts the attention of many seeking supreme power. A series of interlopers who attempted to claim it were banished away to a realm later known as the Twilight Realm from The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess. In order to better protect the Triforce, the sage named Rauru constructed a new Temple of Time at the original location of the Sealed Temple. The Master Sword essentially becomes the key to activate the time travel function of the Temple, a mechanic explored in Ocarina of Time.

With the Triforce sealed away, Hyrule entered its "Era of Prosperity," with many of Zelda's descendants forming the Royal Family and bringing order among the population. Hyrule Castle was constructed in close proximity to the Temple of Time, with many later members of the Royal Family born with special powers due to being blood relatives of the goddess Hylia. Additionally, any Princesses born into the family are to be given the name Zelda, as a tribute to the original reincarnation of the goddess Hylia.

The connections and implications run even deeper, as The Legend of Zelda's lore tends to iterate upon itself. Main elements such as the Master Sword, Temple of Time, as well as Link's and Zelda's destinies all begin with Skyward Sword. To best understand the history of the series and see the origins of such a legendary gaming experience, The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword is a must play.