The Zonai ruins, featured in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and Breath of the Wild, subtly connect to classic Zelda lore, providing insights into the ancient race's culture and history. Within these ruins, statues depicting creatures like boars, owls, and dragons symbolize the Triforce and its foundational values of Power, Wisdom, and Courage. The prevalence of such statues implies a deep respect or possible worship of the Golden Goddesses by the Zonai, despite uncertainties about their divine ancestry.
Scattered across Hyrule in both games, the Zonai ruins harbor these subtle nods to classic Zelda lore. The enigmatic nature of the Zonai remains a prominent mystery in Breath of the Wild and continues to be central to unfolding mysteries in Tears of the Kingdom. The environmental design in these games serves as a masterful tool, offering hints about various aspects of Zonai culture, establishing connections to long-established elements of the Zelda canon.
Although the specifics of the Zonai and their history remain somewhat elusive, even after their proper introduction in Tears of the Kingdom, Zelda's memories of her time with Rauru and Mineru provide brief glimpses into their lives in Hyrule. The Zonai were inhabitants of TOTK's iconic sky islands, reaching all the way to the Depths. While many of their structures no longer serve their original purpose, the Zonai ruins, akin to real-life archaeology, reveal facets of their culture through the influence on their architecture.
Ancient Zonai Statues Reference The Legendary Triforce
In Breath of the Wild (BOTW), the Zonai ruins visible on Hyrule's surface showcase recurring motifs, including statues featuring boars, owls, and dragons. These motifs suggest the profound significance of these creatures to the ancient Zonai race. Insights from the book "Creating a Champion" reveal that these statues symbolize The Legend of Zelda's Triforce and its core values: Power, Wisdom, and Courage. While Triforce symbolism is a common theme in the Zelda franchise, traditionally associated with Ganon, Zelda, and Link, the Zonai demonstrate that other cultures can also be influenced by these principles.
In the original The Legend of Zelda, only the Triforce of Power and Triforce of Wisdom are present, with the Triforce of Courage introduced in its sequel, The Adventure of Link. The Zonai's choice of animals in their depictions, such as boars for Power and owls for Wisdom, appears to draw inspiration from these associations. The boar, occasionally representing Ganon, aligns with the Zonai's Power symbolism. Owls, known for their wisdom even in real life and frequently associated with the Greek goddess Athena, reflect the Zonai's choice for Wisdom symbolism. This connection is further supported by instances in the Zelda canon where owls guide Link on his quests, as seen with Ocarina of Time's Kaepora Gaebora.
The Legend Of Zelda’s Dragons Are An Ideal Representation Of Courage
Dragons, like Farosh in both BOTW and TOTK, can indeed be associated with Courage, although it's important to note their potential associations with other aspects of the Triforce, as seen with Dinraal and Naydra. Notably, the Spring of Courage is located at one end of the Dracozu River, which forms a distinctly draconic shape. It's plausible that the Zonai observed this geographical feature and Farosh's presence, leading them to specifically link dragons with Courage over the other Triforce elements.
Another perspective on dragons being associated with Courage could be tied to the forbidden act of swallowing a Secret Stone and undergoing Draconification. This act involves immense sacrifice, making it a courageous undertaking. Considering that Draconification is a known effect, there may have been instances of individuals choosing to consume Secret Stones even before Zelda became the Light Dragon. If these acts were willing sacrifices made for a greater good, similar to Zelda's transformation, it's conceivable that the Zonai associated dragons with a profound act of courage, despite also prohibiting it.
The Zonai’s Statues Prove Their Respect For the Golden Goddesses
The prevalence of Triforce-symbolic statues in the Zonai ruins indicates that the Zonai were aware of the Triforce and the Golden Goddesses, even though these entities are not directly mentioned in either game. It's reasonable to presume that the Zonai either worshipped the goddesses or held them in high respect. The legitimacy of the Zonai's rumored divine ancestry remains unclear, influencing their interactions with the existing Hyrulean pantheon. Whether the Zonai integrated the Golden Goddesses into their culture upon arriving in Hyrule or gained knowledge of them from their origins, the widespread presence of symbolic statues suggests a sincere and wholehearted incorporation into their beliefs.
Sonia's appearance further supports this notion, featuring the Triforce visibly depicted on her arm. This serves as additional evidence that the divine artifact and its creators were known entities during the era of the first queen of Hyrule. However, the fact that this knowledge seems to have faded from modern Hyrule adds poignancy to the reality that the most recognizable monuments to the creator goddesses are now obscure ruins. As of now, the Zonai's remaining monuments stand as seemingly the only tributes to the Golden Goddesses in Hyrule.
While the Zonai remain a mystery in many aspects, the remnants of their culture provide insights into their way of life. The ruined statues, featuring carved boars, owls, and dragons, serve as tangible artifacts that connect the ancient civilization to the wider lore of The Legend of Zelda and its deities. While these relics may not directly impact Link's quest, they contribute to understated worldbuilding, offering a glimpse into the identity of the Zonai.
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