The universe in which The Legend of Zelda takes place. Although the connection between the various lands, worlds, dimensions, and realms is often ambiguous, The Legend of Zelda Encyclopedia is the primary source for the structure of the world. What follows is a basic overview of the Zelda universe structure and layout. For extended overview regarding the actual history of the universe see the Zelda Timeline, and for extended history, lore, and culture regarding locations, see their corresponding articles.
The universe is split into three distinct "planes": The world of The Heavens lie on a higher plane than the world called Hyrule, and the lower plane of existence beneath both is the Underworld. Outside of these three planes, there also exist the Minish World and the inverted world of Lorule.
The Heavens[]
The Heavens, also referred to as the Distant Nebula, is a higher plane of existence connected to the world of Hyrule, specifically the Light World, as well as directly to the Land of the Spirits of Good. Not much else is known about the Heavens, other than the fact that the Golden Goddesses likely reside there.
The world of Hyrule[]
The universe is home to the land called "Hyrule". Within Hyrule exist the Light World and the Land of the Spirits of Good, as well as connected parallels, such as the Twilight Realm. After the Great Flood occurs, the world of Hyrule becomes a giant ocean.
Light World / The Great Sea[]
The Light World is a land within the world of Hyrule, home to the various countries such as The Kingdom of Hyrule and Hytopia, as well as related realms and parallel worlds. The Sky is situated in the clouds above these countries within the Light World. Following the Great Flood, the Light World becomes the Great Sea.
The Kingdom of Hyrule[]
The Kingdom of Hyrule is a country set at the heart of the world of Hyrule, home to the Sacred Realm. The Dark World, linked to the Sacred Realm and considered its "opposite," stands within Hyrule independently of the Light World, but is also considered "a second Hyrule".[1]
Termina[]
A parallel version of the Kingdom of Hyrule, Termina, formed around the burdened heart and memories of Skull Kid, temporarily came into existence for three days (in limbo), and was ultimately erased from existence after the fourth day.[2] During its existence, the pathway to the world and the world itself existed within Hyrule Kingdom.
Hytopia[]
A kingdom which depends on its fashion industry. It is North of The Kingdom of Hyrule.
Holodrum and Labrynna[]
Holodrum and Labrynna are two parallel worlds that exist within the Light World and are connected to The Kingdom of Hyrule.
Koholint Island[]
Koholint Island is a parallel world which exists within the dream of the Wind Fish somewhere on the outer waters surrounding the Kingdom of Hyrule. After the Wind Fish awakens, this world ceases to exist.
The Twilight Realm[]
The Twilight Realm is a parallel version of the Light World which exists "behind" it.
The Neighboring Sea[]
After the Great Flood, The Neighboring Sea now neighbours the Great Sea; the now flooded Kingdom of Hyrule. As the name suggests, the sea neighbors the submerged kingdom.
World of the Ocean King[]
The World of the Ocean King is an ocean realm that exists parallel to the Neighboring Sea.
Open Sea[]
A sea located in the world-wide ocean. It is an unknown distance away from the Great Sea, and Neighboring Sea. The Open sea is connected to the Land of the Spirits of Good.
Land of the Spirits of Good[]
A land that is connected to the Open Sea. Land of the Spirits of Good is the land on which "New Hyrule" was founded following the discovery of the Land of the Spirits of Good by Tetra.
New Hyrule []
The new Kingdom of Hyrule founded by Tetra and her crew upon the discovery of the Land of Spirits of Good and the establishing of friendly contact with the native Lokomo.
Underworld[]
The underworld is on a low plane of existence. It is likely the source of most of the evil within the world of Hyrule. It is connected directly to the Land of the Spirits of Good.
Others[]
Other dimensions and worlds that exist independent of The Heavens, Hyrule, and Underworld.
Lorule[]
The inverted dimension of Lorule is an exact mirror image of the world of Hyrule. It is unknown if Lorule is its own inverted dimension that is connected to Hyrule, or if it is itself contained within its own alternate universe.
The Kingdom of Lorule[]
The Kingdom of Lorule that exists within the world of Lorule. It is the inverted Lorule equivalent of The Kingdom of Hyrule.
The Minish World[]
The world of the Minish race. The world is connected to the Light World. However, it does not exist within the same plane of existence; instead, it exists independently on a level between the The Heavens and Hyrule.
References[]
- ↑ June 19, 2018. The Legend of Zelda Encyclopedia - pp. 29
- ↑ June 19, 2018. The Legend of Zelda Encyclopedia - pp. 36 - 37