Legends of Zelda Glossary of Terms Guide

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Legend of Zelda is a series of video games produced and developed by Nintendo. Its characters, creatures, and themes exist in an unnamed fantasy world with an unspecific origin. There is a total of 17 games in the series; however, not all games are considered canon.

There are also several different storylines, consisting of three different timelines. Each timeline follows the same protagonist, Link. The canon games are divided into two categories: prequels and sequels. There are six prequels, which are either part of the same series or take place in the past. The remaining ten games are considered sequels. However, there is also a total of eight spin-off games that focus on non-canon characters.

Because the series is so complicated, there are many unfamiliar terms that can be hard to track. Here’s a glossary of terms in alphabetical order to help you keep track of the strange names.

A

ancient robots Legends of Zelda Glossary of Terms Guide

Ancient Robots: Machines built long ago by an ancient civilization. They, along with the Guardians and Lynels, are common enemies in the game.

Ancient Sea: A large body of water that was once Tallon IV’s primary source of life. It has since become a corrupted and hazardous location that is home to the corrupted water-dwelling race, the Eldin.

Ancient Sages: Six priestesses tasked with protecting Hyrule and its Triforce from evil. They appear three times throughout the series as characters who either help or hinder Link during his quest for a given game. There is also an additional character with the name “Sage” in Skyward Sword.

Aruroda: A giant spider who uses an abnormal ability called Dig to appear in different places without traveling through the ground. It is also known for turning invisible and shooting electric bolts at its foes.

B

Baba Serpents: A species of long-bodied serpents that are common in the area east of Lanayru. They are fast but can be defeated by knocking them off balance to expose their weak spot.

Bari: A race of jellyfish-like creatures that are often found near bodies of water. They come in several different colors, each with its own weaknesses and strengths.

Black Boe: An enemy that is weak to fire attacks. It exhibits plant-like traits that are not found in any other enemy.

Bokoblins: A race of small, goblin-like creatures that have clubs as their weapon of choice. They are often spotted riding Epona across the grassy plains of Hyrule.

Bulblin: A race of pig-like goblins that serve under King Bulblin, which appears in several games. They are easily spotted because they ride on boars and carry giant shields.

C

canon

Cannon: A stationary weapon that can be used to fire cannonballs and other projectiles at enemies. The type of cannon varies greatly, but most are mobile and capable of being moved to different locations.

Cap Moblins: A tall, bulky species of Moblin that use large spears as their weapon of choice. They are much stronger than regular Moblins and can even pick up boulders to toss at Link.

ChuChus: The collective name for a wide variety of blob-like enemies that appear in many games. Each ChuChu has its own unique traits and abilities, but most are weak to certain items or attacks.

Clock Town: A town modeled after the major metropolitan areas of Hyrule. It is best known for its four-faced clock tower that rings each time Link advances to a new day of the week.

Colossus: A large, statue-like enemy that was created by an ancient civilization in order to defend itself against Ganon’s malevolent magic. They appear as a series of interconnected, metal blocks that can be destroyed piece by piece before revealing a weak spot.

D

Dark World: A twisted version of Hyrule that is connected to the regular world via a portal known as a “Golden Door”. It embodies the darker aspects of the land and its inhabitants, which were transformed by Ganon’s evil magic.

Death Mountain: A large mountain that is the home of Dodongo and other fire-based enemies. It can be found in several different games, which often has a town of Gorons near its base.

Deku Baba: A species of plant-like creatures with large, gaping maws that stick up from the ground. The maw is usually speckled with sharp teeth and can be defeated by shooting an arrow into its open mouth.

Deku Scrubs: A race of plant-like creatures that appear in several games. They are easily spotted because they sit atop hills or posts and spit projectiles at Link.

Dodongo: An enemy that consists of a head and tail, which are both covered by tough scales. They come in several different colors, each with its own strengths and weaknesses.

Dungeon: A series of rooms, passages, and puzzles that Link has to progress through in order to defeat the boss enemy at the end. Dungeons are typically dark and full of enemies as well as obstacles that must be overcome.

F

Fairy Fountains

Fairy Fountains: A series of wells hidden throughout Hyrule, which are home to various fairies. Some can be summoned with an Ocarina and used as a form of defense against damage from Link’s foes.

Fi: A humanoid spirit that takes the shape of a fairy. She is closely tied to the Goddess Hylia and helps Link in many ways throughout his adventures.

Fire Rod: A magical, elemental weapon that shoots out a stream of fire when shaken. It can be used to burn away wooden obstructions and melt ice cubes that block access to certain areas.

G

Gibdo: An enemy that is similar in appearance to a mummy and is usually wrapped in bandages and cloth. The only way to defeat them is to shoot an arrow into the large eye on their back, which turns them into regular Stalfos.

Golden Enemy: An enemy that has gold plating covering its body and is much stronger than the standard version of that enemy. They appear in several games and are typically mounted on horseback.

Goriya: An enemy that has appeared in several games under several different names. They come in four colors, but the red and blue ones are stronger than the green and yellow ones.

Great Fairy: A fairy that appears in several games as a guide to Link. Unlike their Pendant counterparts, they do not award Link with useful items or upgrades; instead, they simply provide him with additional health or magic power.

Green Bubble: An enemy that is similar to a Blue Bubble, except it is green in color and deals more damage due to its fiery nature. It can be defeated by either shooting an arrow at its flaming body or by using the Ice Arrows to freeze it before finally destroying it.

Guardian: An enemy that appears in several games under several different names. It is a large eyespot with one main eye and several smaller eyes that always shoot lasers at Link. To defeat it, the main eye must be shot with an arrow.

H

Hinox

Hinox: A giant man-eating monster that appears in several games under several different names. They are usually found sleeping on the ground and will awaken when Link gets near. Once awoken, they attack by either ramming into Link or throwing parts of their body.

Hyrule Warriors: A race of Hylians that have appeared in several games under several different names. This includes the Sheikah warriors, who are known for their agile movements and use of throwing knives.

I

Ice Bubble: An enemy that is similar to a Red Bubble, except it is covered in ice and deals more damage due to its icy nature. It can be defeated by either shooting an arrow at its frozen body or by using the Fire Arrows to melt it before finally destroying it.

Impa: The nursemaid of the Royal Family of Hyrule, who often guides Link on his quest. She appears in several games as a mini-boss, but can also be seen as part of the main cast of characters, including some incarnations that are very different from her original appearance.

Iron Knuckle: An armored warrior with no visible skin underneath its iron armor. It is capable of dealing out massive amounts of damage with its ax-like weapon, but can also be instantly killed by a single attack from Link’s sword after he has obtained the Silver Arrows.

L

Link's Awakening

Link’s Awakening: The only Zelda game that has been confirmed to take place on a dream-like world known as Koholint Island. It is the sixth installment in the Legend of Zelda series.

O

Ocarina: A musical instrument that Link uses in several games to help him warp from one location to another. It can also be used as a weapon against certain enemies, such as the Bubble.

Old Man: An old man who can be found in many locations throughout the land of Hyrule. Some will give advice to Link while others sell him items or upgrades for his equipment.

P

Peahat

Peahat: A type of plant with a large flower and a single leaf that is very similar to a Deku Sprout, except there are no Koroks in the land of Hyrule. They fly around in the air and can be defeated either by shooting them with an arrow or by destroying their stem before they fly too high and disappear.

Phantom Hourglass: A magical hourglass that is capable of creating barriers around Link to protect him. It can only be used in the Temple of the Ocean King, but it will allow him to survive in the Temple for a much longer period of time.

Princess Zelda: The princess of Hyrule and bearer of the Triforce of Wisdom. She is often captured by Ganon’s minions, which forces Link to travel to her rescue.

R

Ring: An item that is exclusive to multiple games. It is just a simple ring that appears to be made of gold and requires no explanation as to what its abilities are.

S

Sacred Realm

c: The alternate version of the land of Hyrule where the Triforce was originally placed after it was forged by the three goddesses. It is said to only be accessible to one who carries an eight-part crest, which is made up of three triangles.

Shiekah: A race of mysterious beings that are often described as being similar to the Sheikah. They are capable of performing magical feats, such as teleportation and invisibility, but are also capable of simply disappearing into thin air without warning or explanation.

Shigeru Miyamoto: The creator of The Legend of Zelda series. He was the main director and producer for every game in the series until he stepped down from his position for The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword. He is often believed to have modeled many of the characters after various people that he had met throughout his life.

Spirit Track: A magical track that is capable of transporting objects back and forth without anyone being able to see it or use it. They are usually found hovering above the ground, but they are capable of hiding themselves when something comes near them.

Subrosian: A race of people with large, upturned noses that live beneath the surface of Subrosia and can only be seen via their shadows when they pass in front of lava. They cannot leave their home, or else they will die from the mere exposure to the atmosphere of Hyrule.

T

Triforce: An item that is said to be the main source of Hyrule’s power. It was originally forged by three goddesses and can only be found inside the Sacred Realm, which is accessible by one who carries an eight-part crest.

Twilight Princess: An action-adventure game in the Legend of Zelda series. It was released for the GameCube and Wii in 2006.

U

Unicorn Fountain

Unicorn Fountain: See Fairy Fountains.

V

Villages: A location where people who share a common interest gather and work towards a common goal, such as the Gorons or Zoras. These places are self-sustaining and usually have a full staff of various experts, such as blacksmiths and grocers, all working together to make a common profit.

Z

Zelda Breath

Zelda Breath: An interactive item in the Legend of Zelda series that acts as either a telescope or binoculars.

Zelda’s Lullaby: The song that Link uses to awaken the slumbering Princess Zelda. It is also known as Zelda’s Spirit, as the song has a similar effect on the Triforce of Wisdom.

If you find this guide helpful, check the next guides below to learn even more:

Zelda Bosses Guide – Everything You Need to Know

Zelda Objects Guide – Must-Know for The Legend of Zelda Enthusiasts

Zelda Locations for The Legend of Zelda Superfans

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