Fierce
Deity Link
- Joined
- May 17, 2011
- Location
- East Coast USA
Mod edit: Please use this thread for all discussion of the Hyrule Historia's 3-split timeline that involves time travel. If everyone posts their own explanation as a thread, we'd have several redundant locations of the same discussion.
~Locke
Hello everyone, I'm Fierce... I've been on quite a hiatus from Zelda Theory as we lacked new data. Now, we are inundated with new facts and myths gifted to us from our lovely friends at Nintendo and I feel the need to dive straight into it. So bear with me!
The 3-way Timeline
For a long time most Zelda fans prescribed to the "Split Timeline" theory. Why? For one, Nintendo confirmed it... but yes, it made perfect sense given the complexities of time travel and its effects on the time-space continuum.
Why it works:
When you travel forward or backwards in time, that timeline persists with you (LINK) no longer in it. When you return to the past, it is the moment you left, so therin you are creating a new dimension as time is constantly moving.
You do not create a split time-line until the moment you return to the past.
Why? Because when you first draw the Master Sword you simply sleep (Not Time Travel)
So presumably... The fraction is caused at the end of the game, and the defeat of Ganon. Zelda sends you back into the Child Timeline, creating an Adult Timeline where Link has defeated Ganon.
The events continue even after you leave which is why Ganon breaking the seal and conquering Hyrule causes Wind Waker, and Link's hand in setting up Ganon's execution causes Twilight Princess.
So now there are two Timelines. Fair enough?
The Introduction of a Third FRACTURE
Now, many may ask... why the heck would a THIRD timeline make sense!? Isn't time-travel the reason for the split? Not outcomes? Possibilities and plausibilities are hardly good reasons to constitute a split. Correct. If this was the case, we'd have billions upon billions of time-lines. HOWEVER...
There is another time we (Link) time traveled in Ocarina of Time... wasn't there?
In order to gain access to the Well and the Spirit temple we needed to return to the past. However if you recall... this act of traveling creates a SPLIT.
So therefore, it creates a split ADULT timeline. One where Link returned to the past. When you return to the past, that dimension you traveled from continues with you no longer existing...
So wait... in this dimension... Link never defeats Ganon. There is no legendary hero to conquer Ganon... and it is the efforts of the people and the sages that ultimately conquer and seal the Demon lord... causing the events of Link to the Past (JPN: Triforce of the Gods)
So no longer do you have a concrete Adult and Child Timeline... now we have three:
1. Link never returns to Hyrule and Ganon wins- Ganon's rule
2. Link returns to defeat Ganon and brings prosperity- Zelda's rule
3. Link returns to his own time and foils Ganon- Link's rule
The Importance of Threes
The third timeline makes sense, because the majority of the Zelda universe reflects this balance. Like the Yin and Yang, the DI FA NA is the separation of spirituality in the Zelda World.
Think of the way these Timelines happened and it makes perfect sense!
1. Link's Courage allows him to defeat Ganon himself
2. Knowledge and Wisdom learned from the future is what allows ganon to be executed
3. Ganon's Power reigns over until it is eventually overpowered by the people of Hyrule
The separation exists in every game...
- 3 Sacred flames
- 3 Sacred Pearls
- 3 Spiritual Pendants
- 3 Spiritual Stones
- 3 Sacred Dragons
- 3 Mirror Fragments
- 3 Goddesses (the old gods)
- 3 Tunics
- Etc
I think it is only natural that time itself follows this pattern.
There are still many mysteries of time and such but I do believe this provides a very cogent explanation.
Perhaps there are more time-lines yet to be discovered (just as there are new Gods and Godness and things we will never know until later.) But based on this data, this is the best we have.
To close this little explanation, I will give a brief run-down of how things go:
-Skyward Sword:
Creation of the Master Sword
The death of the Goddess Hylia and start of her bloodline in Zelda
The death of the Demi-God Demise and start of his curse in Ganon
The trials that chose the Hero, and start of his chain in Link
The use of the Triforce to create Hyrule
-Minish Cap:
The creation of the Four Sword
Seal of Vaati
-War-
-Ocarina of Time
Creation of Three Timelines due to use of Ocarina of Time
Timelines Power, Wisdom, Courage
Power Timeline
Link travels back in time to open the Well and meet Nabooru, time continues without him
Ganons rein continues until war seals away Ganon, ending his rule.
-Four Swords Adventure
Vaati is released and destroyed
Ganon gains Trident
Ganon Sealed Again
(War over Triforce)
-Link to the Past
Ganon breaks out yet again is defeated again.
Link's Awakening
-Legend of Zelda
Link sets out to find the Triforce of Wisdom
Ganon dies for good. (Power is obtained)
-Adventure of Link
Link sets out to find the Triforce of Courage
Defeats his own darkness (Presumably the curse set by Demise)
Thwarts Ganon's rival and awakens Hylia (Zelda)
- End -
Wisdom Timeline
Link returns from the future with Ganon defeated but the split remains.
Zelda uses Link's knowledge from the future to eventually get Ganondorf executed, yet unable to do so, they send
him to the Twilight Realm
Ganon's Hatred grows (Due to Demise)
Majora's Mask
-Twilight Princess
Zelda becomes Queen
Minda is overthrown by Zant
Ganon breaks free
Ganon is killed
Mirror of Twilight Destroyed
- End -
Courage Timeline
Link defeats Ganon
Link returns to his time and no longer exists
Ganon escapes the sacred realm conquering Hyrule ruthlessly
Gods flood Hyrule and seal Ganon's power in the sword, send people above the sea
-Wind Waker
Ganon Dies, Hyrule is destroyed
-End -
- Phantom Hourglass
- Spirit Tracks
Well, this should pretty much clear things up. Given the oracle games were not included in the Historia, you can assume them non-canon.
Honestly I'd argue Four Swords and Minish are also uncanon but that is neither here nor there. Hope this helps and makes sense of it all.
Edit:
^ My other theory
~Locke
Hello everyone, I'm Fierce... I've been on quite a hiatus from Zelda Theory as we lacked new data. Now, we are inundated with new facts and myths gifted to us from our lovely friends at Nintendo and I feel the need to dive straight into it. So bear with me!
The 3-way Timeline
For a long time most Zelda fans prescribed to the "Split Timeline" theory. Why? For one, Nintendo confirmed it... but yes, it made perfect sense given the complexities of time travel and its effects on the time-space continuum.
Why it works:
When you travel forward or backwards in time, that timeline persists with you (LINK) no longer in it. When you return to the past, it is the moment you left, so therin you are creating a new dimension as time is constantly moving.
You do not create a split time-line until the moment you return to the past.
Why? Because when you first draw the Master Sword you simply sleep (Not Time Travel)
So presumably... The fraction is caused at the end of the game, and the defeat of Ganon. Zelda sends you back into the Child Timeline, creating an Adult Timeline where Link has defeated Ganon.
The events continue even after you leave which is why Ganon breaking the seal and conquering Hyrule causes Wind Waker, and Link's hand in setting up Ganon's execution causes Twilight Princess.
So now there are two Timelines. Fair enough?
The Introduction of a Third FRACTURE
Now, many may ask... why the heck would a THIRD timeline make sense!? Isn't time-travel the reason for the split? Not outcomes? Possibilities and plausibilities are hardly good reasons to constitute a split. Correct. If this was the case, we'd have billions upon billions of time-lines. HOWEVER...
There is another time we (Link) time traveled in Ocarina of Time... wasn't there?
In order to gain access to the Well and the Spirit temple we needed to return to the past. However if you recall... this act of traveling creates a SPLIT.
So therefore, it creates a split ADULT timeline. One where Link returned to the past. When you return to the past, that dimension you traveled from continues with you no longer existing...
So wait... in this dimension... Link never defeats Ganon. There is no legendary hero to conquer Ganon... and it is the efforts of the people and the sages that ultimately conquer and seal the Demon lord... causing the events of Link to the Past (JPN: Triforce of the Gods)
So no longer do you have a concrete Adult and Child Timeline... now we have three:
1. Link never returns to Hyrule and Ganon wins- Ganon's rule
2. Link returns to defeat Ganon and brings prosperity- Zelda's rule
3. Link returns to his own time and foils Ganon- Link's rule
The Importance of Threes
The third timeline makes sense, because the majority of the Zelda universe reflects this balance. Like the Yin and Yang, the DI FA NA is the separation of spirituality in the Zelda World.
Think of the way these Timelines happened and it makes perfect sense!
1. Link's Courage allows him to defeat Ganon himself
2. Knowledge and Wisdom learned from the future is what allows ganon to be executed
3. Ganon's Power reigns over until it is eventually overpowered by the people of Hyrule
The separation exists in every game...
- 3 Sacred flames
- 3 Sacred Pearls
- 3 Spiritual Pendants
- 3 Spiritual Stones
- 3 Sacred Dragons
- 3 Mirror Fragments
- 3 Goddesses (the old gods)
- 3 Tunics
- Etc
I think it is only natural that time itself follows this pattern.
There are still many mysteries of time and such but I do believe this provides a very cogent explanation.
Perhaps there are more time-lines yet to be discovered (just as there are new Gods and Godness and things we will never know until later.) But based on this data, this is the best we have.
To close this little explanation, I will give a brief run-down of how things go:
-Skyward Sword:
Creation of the Master Sword
The death of the Goddess Hylia and start of her bloodline in Zelda
The death of the Demi-God Demise and start of his curse in Ganon
The trials that chose the Hero, and start of his chain in Link
The use of the Triforce to create Hyrule
-Minish Cap:
The creation of the Four Sword
Seal of Vaati
-War-
-Ocarina of Time
Creation of Three Timelines due to use of Ocarina of Time
Timelines Power, Wisdom, Courage
Power Timeline
Link travels back in time to open the Well and meet Nabooru, time continues without him
Ganons rein continues until war seals away Ganon, ending his rule.
-Four Swords Adventure
Vaati is released and destroyed
Ganon gains Trident
Ganon Sealed Again
(War over Triforce)
-Link to the Past
Ganon breaks out yet again is defeated again.
Link's Awakening
-Legend of Zelda
Link sets out to find the Triforce of Wisdom
Ganon dies for good. (Power is obtained)
-Adventure of Link
Link sets out to find the Triforce of Courage
Defeats his own darkness (Presumably the curse set by Demise)
Thwarts Ganon's rival and awakens Hylia (Zelda)
- End -
Wisdom Timeline
Link returns from the future with Ganon defeated but the split remains.
Zelda uses Link's knowledge from the future to eventually get Ganondorf executed, yet unable to do so, they send
him to the Twilight Realm
Ganon's Hatred grows (Due to Demise)
Majora's Mask
-Twilight Princess
Zelda becomes Queen
Minda is overthrown by Zant
Ganon breaks free
Ganon is killed
Mirror of Twilight Destroyed
- End -
Courage Timeline
Link defeats Ganon
Link returns to his time and no longer exists
Ganon escapes the sacred realm conquering Hyrule ruthlessly
Gods flood Hyrule and seal Ganon's power in the sword, send people above the sea
-Wind Waker
Ganon Dies, Hyrule is destroyed
-End -
- Phantom Hourglass
- Spirit Tracks
Well, this should pretty much clear things up. Given the oracle games were not included in the Historia, you can assume them non-canon.
Honestly I'd argue Four Swords and Minish are also uncanon but that is neither here nor there. Hope this helps and makes sense of it all.
Edit:
I have also devised another take on my theory if you will hear me out...
I will attempt to make it as simple as possible. First Observe this diagram.
View attachment 21190
Zoom: http://postimage.org/image/4wnug6s43/
This makes the most sense to me. I've really set my mind to this one. I think the first break occurs when you first enter the sacred realm, separating you permanently from the original timeline. Why is this you may ask? It is the same reason the Master Sword forces you to sleep for seven years... Child Link will die against Ganondorf after he obtains the Triforce of Power. I believe that is what the cutscene almost implies when he is talking to you with the white background.
Either way, this is likely where the split occurs regardless of whether young Link dies or just disappears from that Timeline due to time travel. Personally, I find time travel accounting for his absence the most plausible.
^ My other theory
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