Zelda Wiki

Want to contribute to this wiki?
Sign up for an account, and get started!

Come join the Zelda Wiki community Discord server!

READ MORE

Zelda Wiki
Register
Advertisement
TAoL Defeated Link Artwork
This article or section does not meet Zelda Wiki's quality standards.

Please improve it as you see fit. Editing help is available.

This article is about the item that increases Link's health. For the health meter, see Life Gauge.

Heart Containers,(TLoZ | ALttP | LA | OoT | MM | OoS | OoA | FS | TWW | FSA | TMC | TP | PH | ST | SS | ALBW | BotW | TotK)[1][2][3][name reference needed] also known as Bowls of Hearts,(TAoL)[1] Heart-Shaped Stones,(TMC)[4] Life Hearts,(TFoE | TWoG)[5][6] and Crystal Hearts,(ZA)[7] are recurring Items in The Legend of Zelda series.

Location and uses[]

Heart Containers increase Link's Life Gauge, which is represented by a set of Hearts in most games of The Legend of Zelda series except The Adventure of Link, where his health is symbolized by a life bar. Collecting a number of Pieces of Heart, precisely four in most appearances, assembles a Heart Container. Regardless, when Link obtains a Heart Container, his maximum health is increased by one unit.[1] As Link progresses, he will need more health in order to survive the greater challenges. This additional health is acquired in the form of Heart Containers,[8] with each Heart Container adding an extra Heart to the amount of Hearts Link has.[9] A Heart Container is awarded after every major boss in most games.[9] The maximum number of Heart Containers is typically 20 or 16.

Mainline appearances[]

The Legend of Zelda[]

In The Legend of Zelda, only full Heart Containers are available, not Pieces of Heart. 8 Heart Containers are obtained from bosses, one each in Level 1 to Level 8. A single Heart Container can be found on Hyrule's eastern coast, requiring the Ladder to collect. The remaining 4 Heart Containers are offered as gifts in caves, in locations that vary between the First and Second Quest. In these caves, Link is offered the choice of a Heart Container or a Red Potion; if Link takes the potion, the Heart Container is permanently lost.

In the Second Quest, it is possible to permanently lose a Heart Container in specific rooms, one in Level 4, and two in Level 7, where Link is required to pay either 1 Heart Container or 50 rupees.

The Adventure of Link[]

In The Adventure of Link, Link's life is represented by a gauge, which starts with four segments. Four Heart Containers are found throughout the game. Each permanently increases the length of the life gauge by 1 segment, up to a maximum of 8, and fully refills the gauge. Link can also reduce the damage he takes by upgrading his Life level with enough experience points.

A Link to the Past[]

In A Link to the Past, the first additional Heart Container can be found in the Sanctuary after the first visit to Hyrule Castle; this Heart Container uniquely fully restores Link's health.

An additional 10 Heart Containers are obtained by defeating the bosses of the first three Light World dungeons and the first seven Dark World dungeons; unlike most games, boss Heart Containers are mandatory. Agahnim does not drop a Heart Container when fought in either Hyrule Castle or Ganon's Tower.

This game introduces Pieces of Heart, four of which are required to form a Heart Container; six Heart Containers are formed this way.

Link's Awakening[]

In Link's Awakening, 8 Heart Containers are obtained by defeating bosses, and three by collecting four Pieces of Heart each. As in A Link to the Past, boss Heart Containers are mandatory.

Starting in this game, collecting any Heart Container fully restores Link's health.

Ocarina of Time[]

In Ocarina of Time, 8 Heart Containers are obtained by defeating bosses, and nine by collecting four Pieces of Heart each. Boss Heart Containers return to being optional, and remain so for the rest of the series.

Majora's Mask[]

In Majora's Mask, only 4 Heart Containers can be obtained by defeating bosses. 13 Heart Containers are formed by collecting four Pieces of Heart each, the most in the series.

Oracle of Seasons / Oracle of Ages[]

In Oracle of Seasons and Oracle of Ages, Link starts with a variable number of Heart Containers: three in a new game, but four in a Linked Game or when using a Hero's Secret.

Eight Heart Containers are obtained by defeating bosses, and three by collecting four Pieces of Heart each, for a total of 14 hearts without linking.

An additional full heart container can be obtained only in a Linked Game; combined with the 4th initial heart, this allows for Link to reach a total of 16 hearts.

The Wind Waker[]



In The Wind Waker, four Pieces of Heart will create a Heart Container for Link. Link will also be rewarded with a Heart Container after defeating a boss. Six Heart Containers can be obtained by defeating bosses. Link is able to obtain a total of 17 Heart Containers, which brings his Life Gauge to 20 hearts.

Four Swords[]



Four Swords Adventures[]

Four Swords Adventures Manual Description
Four Swords Adventures logo
Heart Container
Increase your Heart Meter by one Heart.

Unlike most games, Heart Containers in Four Swords Adventures are not permanent, but reset every stage. All four Links share the same health total, starting each stage with 4 Heart Containers, only 3 of which are filled. Each stage contains an additional 2 to 4 more Heart Containers.

The Minish Cap[]

Link can have a total of 20 Heart Containers in The Minish Cap. He starts with three and can gain a total of 11 more through Pieces of Heart; four Pieces of Heart equal one Heart Container.

The remaining six are all obtained as full Heart Containers; Link gains one after defeating each of the five bosses (Big Green Chuchu, Gleerok, Mazaal, Big Octorok, and the Gyorg Pair), and one is given to him by Librari. After Link acquires the Wind Element and infuses it into the White Sword, turning it into the Four Sword, the Royal Hyrule Library is closed, and Librari moves to a small Minish-sized House in the center of Lake Hylia. The House can only be accessed after Link Fuses Kinstone Pieces with a Forest Picori in the far eastern portion of Minish Village, opening a small crack near the Wind Crest at Lake Hylia. When Link enters this crack and goes through the tunnel, he emerges in front of Librari's House; speaking to Librari inside will net him the final full Heart Container.

Twilight Princess[]

In Twilight Princess, 8 Heart Containers can be obtained by defeating bosses, and 9 by collecting Pieces of Heart. Unusually, it takes 5 Pieces of Heart, not 4, to form a Heart Container.

Heart Containers can apparently form when people display deep affection for each other, as seen where Yeto and Yeta create Hearts and a Heart Container in their embrace. Twilight Princess also considers Pieces of Heart to be sources of love, as seen with Madame Fanadi when she asks Link what type of prediction he wants to see.

Phantom Hourglass[]

The DS games return to the pattern of The Legend of Zelda, offering only full Heart Containers. In Phantom Hourglass, 7 Heart Containers are obtained by defeating bosses, and 6 can be found elsewhere.



Spirit Tracks[]

Like in Phantom Hourglass, there are no Pieces of Heart, only full Heart Containers. 5 are obtained by defeating bosses and 8 are found elsewhere for a maximum of 16 hearts.

Skyward Sword[]

In Skyward Sword, Link starts with 6 Heart Containers, instead of 3 as in most games.

6 Heart Containers are obtained by defeating bosses, and 6 by collecting 4 Pieces of Heart each, for a total of 18 permanent Heart Containers. 2 additional Heart Containers can be temporarily obtained by equipping Life Medals.

A Link Between Worlds[]

In A Link Between Worlds, 10 Heart Containers are obtained by defeating the bosses of the first 3 Hyrule dungeons and the first 7 Lorule dungeons. Yuga does not drop a Heart Container when fought in Hyrule Castle or Lorule Castle; however, he does drop one when fought in Eastern Palace. Unlike A Link to the Past, there is no Heart Container in the Sanctuary, and boss Heart Containers are not mandatory.

The remaining 7 Heart Containers are formed by collecting 4 Pieces of Heart each.

Breath of the Wild[]

In Breath of the Wild, Link receives a Heart Container after defeating each of the four bosses found in the Divine Beasts. Link can also earn Heart Containers by choosing them over a Stamina Vessel after trading in four Spirit Orbs to a Goddess Statue anywhere in Hyrule. Spirit Orbs are rewarded to Link at the end of every Ancient Shrine. Link can obtain up to 23 Heart Containers from Goddess Statues, allowing him to have a maximum of 30 hearts. If Link instead uses his Spirit Orbs to achieve three full Stamina Wheels from the Goddess Statue, he will only have enough Spirit Orbs left to obtain a total of 27 hearts. In The Champions' Ballad DLC pack, Link can obtain four extra Spirit Orbs that he can exchange for another Heart Container.

By visiting the Horned Statue in Hateno Village, Link can exchange his Heart Containers for Stamina Vessels and vice versa. This is achieved by selling either a Heart Container or a Stamina Vessel to the Horned Statue in exchange for 100 Rupees. The Horned Statue then allows Link to buy one of either item at a higher price of 120 Rupees. This allows Link to change how he spent his Spirit Orbs at the total cost of 20 Rupees for each conversion.

Tears of the Kingdom[]

In Tears of the Kingdom, Link receives a Heart Container after defeating each of the five bosses found in the game's dungeons, and an additional one after defeating Phantom Ganon in Hyrule Castle. Link can also earn Heart Containers by choosing them over a Stamina Vessel after trading in four Lights of Blessing to a Goddess Statue anywhere in Hyrule. In addition, at the end of the A Call from the Depths Side Adventure, Link will have another choice between a Heart Container and Stamina Vessel, without consuming any Lights of Blessing. Lights of Blessing are rewarded to Link at the end of every Shrine of Light. Link can obtain up to 30 Heart Containers from Goddess Statues, allowing him to have a maximum of 40 hearts. If Link instead uses his Lights of Blessing to achieve three full Stamina Wheels from the Goddess Statue, he will only have enough Lights of Blessing left to obtain a total of 38 hearts.

By visiting the Horned Statue in the Royal Hidden Passage in Lookout Landing, Link can exchange his Heart Containers for Stamina Vessels and vice versa. This is achieved by selling either a Heart Container or a Stamina Vessel to the Horned Statue in exchange for 100 Rupees. The Horned Statue then allows Link to buy one of either item at a higher price of 120 Rupees. This allows Link to change how he spent his Lights of Blessing at the total cost of 20 Rupees for each conversion.

Summary[]

Game Initial Life Gauge Obtained from Bosses Found / Purchased Formed by Pieces of Heart Maximum Life Gauge
The Legend of Zelda 3 8 5 16
The Adventure of Link 4 4Triforce piece 8
A Link to the Past 3 10 1 6 20
Link's Awakening 3 8 0Triforce piece 3Triforce piece 14Triforce piece
Ocarina of Time 3 8 9 20
Majora's Mask 3 4 13 20
Oracle of Seasons and Oracle of Ages 3Triforce piece 8 0Triforce piece 3 14Triforce piece
Four Swords 6 2Triforce piece or 8Triforce piece 8Triforce piece
The Wind Waker 3 6 11 20
Four Swords Adventures 4 2 to 4Triforce piece 6 to 8Triforce piece
The Minish Cap 3 5 1 11 20
Twilight Princess 3 8 9 20
Phantom Hourglass 3 7 6 16
Spirit Tracks 3 5 8 16
Skyward Sword 6 6 6 18Triforce piece
A Link Between Worlds 3 10 7 20
Tri Force Heroes 9 9Triforce piece
Breath of the Wild 3 4 23Triforce piece 30
Tears of the Kingdom 3 6 31Triforce piece 40

Spinoff appearances[]

The Faces of Evil[]

TFoE Life Heart Sprite

Link begins with three Life Hearts in The Faces of Evil, gradually earning more as he completes tasks and defeats certain bosses. Life Hearts are obtained from the Fairies in Spearfish Falls, after defeating Goronu the first time, and from Clora in Shipwreck Cliff.

The Wand of Gamelon[]

Zelda begins with three Life Hearts and earns more during her quest throughout The Wand of Gamelon. They are obtained from the Fairies in the Fairy Pool, after defeating the Iron Knuckle in Tykogi Tower, and after defeating Hektan in Dodomai Palace.

Zelda's Adventure[]

ZA Crystal Heart Sprite

Zelda initially starts out with three Crystal Hearts in Zelda's Adventure, and earns more as she defeats the Shrine Keepers of Tolemac. Four Crystal Hearts can also be found hidden throughout the land.

Like in The Legend of Zelda series, collecting a Crystal Heart adds another Heart to Zelda's life meter. A Celestial Sign can also do this, but its main function is powering up Zelda's Wand.

Hyrule Warriors[]

Heart Containers are obtainable through Treasure Chests in Hyrule Warriors. When obtained, they add an additional Heart to a Warrior's health. They can also be obtained by completing the proper conditions in Adventure Mode Battles.

Crossover appearances[]

Super Smash Bros. series[]

Super Smash Bros.[]

Heart Containers are healing items in Super Smash Bros. that, when picked up, reduces all damage to 0%. While they are healing, Fighters cannot be damaged by opponents. These Heart Containers derive their appearance from the Heart Containers in Ocarina of Time.

Super Smash Bros. Melee[]

Heart Containers reappear as healing items in Super Smash Bros. Melee, and are designed after their appearance in Ocarina of Time, like before. Unlike in Super Smash Bros., Heart Containers reduce only up to 100% of damage to the Fighters who pick them up. However, an exception to this is in All-Star Mode, in which there are three Heart Containers in the Rest Area that always restore all health.

A Heart Container is also featured in the form of a Trophy.


# Trophy First Game / Move Description How to unlock
87 SSBM Heart Container Trophy Model
Heart Container
The Legend of Zelda
07/87
Heart Containers drift toward the ground slowly and replenish 100 percentage points of health. In The Legend of Zelda, these items beefed up Link's life meter; in most cases, Link found them in the possession of bosses or hidden in secret areas. Heart Containers are often scattered across the land in several fragments. Play 100 VS Matches

Super Smash Bros. Brawl[]

Heart Containers reappear in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, functioning similarly as in Super Smash Bros. Melee. Heart Containers are now depicted after their appearance in Twilight Princess. Unlike before, Fighters can now be damaged while being healed by Heart Containers. Fighters can now grab Heart Containers while in midair.

Just as before, the rest area in All-Star Mode has three Heart Containers that fully restore the fighter's health. The same number is also present in the rest area of Boss Battle modes. If either mode is done in co-op mode, there are six Heart Containers.

Super Smash Bros. Brawl has its own trophy of a Heart Container.


# Trophy Significant Games Description How to unlock
190 SSBB Heart Container Trophy Model
Heart Container
The Legend of Zelda

Twilight Princess
The best recovery item! Grab this and heal 100 percentage points of damage. It falls slowly, so it's best to grab it in midair. Damage recovery won't happen instantly, though, so try not to get launched while your damage is counting down. In the Legend of Zelda series, Heart Containers raise the player's maximum health. Bosses always have one in their possession. Random

Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U[]

SSBfWiiU Heart Container

A Heart Container in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U

Heart Containers reappear in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U, having no functional difference from their previous iteration. These Heart Containers are now designed after their appearance in Skyward Sword.

A Heart Container makes another appearance in the form of a trophy.


# Trophy Appears in Description How to unlock
3DS Logo WiiU
192
194
SSBfN3DS Heart Container Trophy Model SSBfWU Heart Container Trophy Model Oracle of Seasons/Oracle of Ages

Twilight Princess
An important item in the Legend of Zelda series, this item would appear when you beat a boss and increase your life by one when collected. In Smash Bros., grabbing this will heal 100 points of damage. Grab it as it gently floats to the ground! Random
Heart Container

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate[]

SSB4 Heart Container Icon

Heart Containers reappear again in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, functioning identically as in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U and maintaining a design based on their appearance in Skyward Sword.

My Nintendo Picross: Twilight Princess[]

MNPTP Heart Container Sprite

The eleventh puzzle in the Picross series and the fifth puzzle in the Mega Picross series depict a Heart Container.

Cadence of Hyrule[]



Nomenclature[]

TMC Forest Minish Artwork Names in other regions TMC Jabber Nut Sprite
LanguageNameMeaning
JapanJapaneseイノチノウツワ (Inochi no Utsuwa) (TLoZ)[10]
ハートの水筒 (Hāto no Suitō) (TLoZ)[11]
ハートのうつわ (Hāto no Utsuwa) (TAoL)[12]
ハートの器 (Hāto no Utsuwa) (ALttP | OoT | ALBW)[13][14][15]
ハートの器 (Hāto no Utsuwa) (ALttP | OoT | ALBW)[16][17][18]
ハートの器 (Hāto no Utsuwa) (ALttP | OoT | ALBW)[19][20][21]
Life Container
Heart Canteen
Same as English.
Same as English.
Same as English.
Heart Vessel
NetherlandsDutchHart-container (TLoZ)[22]Heart container
CanadaFrenchCARéceptacle de cœur (ST | ALBW)[23][24]
FranceFrenchEUCoffret de coeur (TLoZ)[25]
Réceptacle de cœur (ST | ALBW)[26][27]
Réceptacle de cœur (ST | ALBW)[28][29]
Heart box
GermanyGermanHerzcontainer (ST | ALBW)[30][31]
de-niwa:HerzcontainerHerzcontainer (HWDE)[32]
Same as English.
ItalyItalianPortacuore (ST | ALBW)[33][34]
South KoreaKorean생명의 그릇 (Saengmyeong-ui Geuleus) (ALBW)[35]
RussiaRussianКапсулу сердца (Kapsulu serdtsa) (BotW)
N/A (TLoZ | TLoZ | TAoL | ST)
N/A (TLoZ | TLoZ | TAoL | ST)
N/A (TLoZ | TLoZ | TAoL | ST)
N/A (TLoZ | TLoZ | TAoL | ST)
Heart capsule
SpainSpanishEUContenedor de corazón (ST | ALBW)[36][37]
Latin AmericaSpanishLAContenedor de corazón (ST | ALBW)[38][39]
This table was generated using translation pages.
To request an addition, please contact a staff member with a reference.

Gallery[]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Encyclopedia, Dark Horse Books, pg. 127 (TLoZ | TAoL | ALttP | LA | OoT | MM | OoS | OoA | FS | TWW | FSA | TMC | TP | PH | ST | SS | ALBW)
  2. "You got a Heart Container! Your life has increased by one and is also now fully replenished!" — N/A (Skyward Sword HD)
  3. "Pieces of Heart
    Collect four Pieces of Heart to gain a new Heart Container, increasing your maximum health!
    " — Inventory (Cadence of Hyrule)
  4. "First we have...this lovely heart-shaped stone!" — Pina (The Minish Cap)
  5. "Your health is measured in Life Hearts. The number of Life Hearts you currently have is shown in the upper left corner of the screen when you are walking around the island. Although you begin the game with only three hearts, there are ways to get more." (The Faces of Evil manual, pg. 7)
  6. "Your health is measured in Life Hearts. The number of Life Hearts you currently have is shown in the upper left corner of the screen when you are walking around the island. Although you begin the game with only three hearts, there are ways to get more." (The Wand of Gamelon manual, pg. 8)
  7. "Also, a legend tells of four red crystal hearts hidden somewhere in the land of Tolemac. Each time Zelda finds and grabs one, her Life Meter increases by one heart." (Zelda's Adventure manual, pg. 3)
  8. The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass — Prima Official Game Guide, Prima Games, pg. 8
  9. 9.0 9.1 The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker — Prima's Official Strategy Guide, Prima Games, pg. 15
  10. Encyclopedia, TOKYOPOP, pg. 129 (TLoZ)
  11. The Legend of Zelda manual, pg. 21
  12. The Adventure of Link manual, pg. 48
  13. A Link to the Past manual, pg. 33 Nintendo Official Guidebook—The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past Vol. 1 (Shogakukan 1) pg. 30
  14. Nintendo Official Guidebook—The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (Shogakukan) pg. 151
  15. "ハートのかけら
    4つ集めるとハートの器になって
    ハートの最大値が1つ増える
    " — Gear (A Link Between Worlds)
  16. A Link to the Past manual, pg. 33 Nintendo Official Guidebook—The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past Vol. 1 (Shogakukan 1) pg. 30
  17. Nintendo Official Guidebook—The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (Shogakukan) pg. 151
  18. "ハートのかけら
    4つ集めるとハートの器になって
    ハートの最大値が1つ増える
    " — Gear (A Link Between Worlds)
  19. A Link to the Past manual, pg. 33 Nintendo Official Guidebook—The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past Vol. 1 (Shogakukan 1) pg. 30
  20. Nintendo Official Guidebook—The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (Shogakukan) pg. 151
  21. "ハートのかけら
    4つ集めるとハートの器になって
    ハートの最大値が1つ増える
    " — Gear (A Link Between Worlds)
  22. The Legend of Zelda manual, pg. 22
  23. "Vous avez obtenu un réceptacle de cœur!" — N/A (Spirit Tracks)
  24. "Quart de cœur
    Trouvez-en 4 pour obtenir un nouveau réceptacle de cœur et gagner en vitalité!
    " — Gear (A Link Between Worlds)
  25. The Legend of Zelda manual, pg. 22
  26. "Vous obtenez un réceptacle de cœur! Vous gagnez un cœur supplémentaire!" — N/A (Spirit Tracks)
  27. "Fragments de cœur
    Trouvez-en 4 pour obtenir un nouveau réceptacle de cœur et gagner en vitalité.
    " — Gear (A Link Between Worlds)
  28. "Vous obtenez un réceptacle de cœur! Vous gagnez un cœur supplémentaire!" — N/A (Spirit Tracks)
  29. "Fragments de cœur
    Trouvez-en 4 pour obtenir un nouveau réceptacle de cœur et gagner en vitalité.
    " — Gear (A Link Between Worlds)
  30. "Du hast einen Herzcontainer erhalten!" — N/A (Spirit Tracks)
  31. "Herzteil
    Sammele vier, um einen Herzcontainer zu erhalten.
    " — Gear (A Link Between Worlds)
  32. "Herzcontainer:
    Erweitert deine Energieleiste um ein Herz und füllt sie vollständig auf.
    " — Tutorial (Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition)
  33. "Hai ottenuto un Portacuore!" — N/A (Spirit Tracks)
  34. "Frammenti di cuore
    Con 4 avrai un portacuore in più e il numero massimo di cuori aumenterà di uno!
    " — Gear (A Link Between Worlds)
  35. "하트 조각
    4개 모으면 생명의 그릇이 되어
    하트의 최대치가 1개 늘어난다
    " — Gear (A Link Between Worlds)
  36. "¡Has conseguido un contenedor de corazón!" — N/A (Spirit Tracks)
  37. "Piezas de corazón
    Recoge 4 para conseguir otro contenedor de corazón y recibir un corazón más.
    " — Gear (A Link Between Worlds)
  38. "¡Has conseguido un contenedor de corazón!" — N/A (Spirit Tracks)
  39. "Pieza de corazón
    Recoge 4 para obtener otro contenedor de corazón y recibir un corazón más.
    " — Gear (A Link Between Worlds)
Advertisement