Triforce
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The Triforce (トライフォース Toraifōsu?) is a fictional item from Nintendo's The Legend of Zelda series of video games. Known by many names such as "The Golden Power" or "The Golden Triangles," and also said by the Fishman in The Wind Waker, "Golden Triumph Forks", it is a tangible, omnipotent holy relic created by the three goddesses of Hyrule.[1] Imbued with their divine essences, it is the ultimate manifestation of power, wisdom and courage in Hyrule.
It is influenced by the heart of the one who touches it, whether good or evil, and possesses the ability to grant that person's deepest desires. It consists of three distinct entities represented by the three smaller triangles, each of which is also referred to as a Triforce when considered individually. Counter-clockwise from the top, these are the Triforce of Power, the Triforce of Wisdom, and the Triforce of Courage.[1]
The shape of the Triforce is based on the mon symbol of the Japanese Hōjō clan, which is said to represent the three scales of a Shinto dragon. Its design also resembles a level 2 Sierpiński gasket.
When whole, the Triforce is sometimes referred to as the "True Force to Govern All", as it was in ancient Hylian literature.[citation needed] It has been a subject of dispute whether the Triforce is an inanimate object that cannot distinguish good from evil, or if it is a living entity, as depicted in The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages and The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons.
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[edit] Pieces of The Triforce
The Triforce can be split up into three pieces, which can then be split up even further, as shown in the original Legend of Zelda game, where the Triforce of Wisdom was split into eight pieces, and The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, where the Triforce of Courage was split into eight pieces. When two people with a Triforce piece come in close contact, the Triforce symbol on their hand will glow and when all three are together (as seen again in both The Wind Waker and Ocarina of Time), it is possible that the Triforce will be summoned. The pieces can also glow on their own.
[edit] Triforce of Courage
The Triforce of Courage was not actually referenced in The Legend of Zelda and it never appears or is mentioned in the television adaptation of the series; it first appeared in Zelda II: The Adventure of Link, where it was held in the Great Palace and had to be recovered by Link to awaken the sleeping Zelda. It is usually associated with Link and is shown on his left hand and it's also the piece on the bottom right.
In Ocarina of Time, the Triforce of Courage was given to Link after it splits when Ganondorf touches it (during Link's sleeping state after claiming the Master Sword). In The Wind Waker, it is stated that when the Hero of Time left Hyrule (supposedly when Zelda returns Link to his childhood, or when Link went to Termina), the Triforce of Courage was broken into eight pieces and scattered, to be recovered one day by another Hero deserving of its power. After restoring the power to the Master Sword, Link hauled up all 8 shards of the Triforce of Courage from the sea, and entered Hyrule, submerged in a magic air chamber on the sea floor. In The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, it is implicitly indicated that the Link in that game carries the Triforce of Courage, as he bears the crest on his hand. It protects Link in a moment of vulnerability during his first steps into the Twilight-afflicted regions of Hyrule, and then prevents Link from becoming a lost soul like the other denizens of Hyrule, instead transforming him into a wolf. Additionally, the Triforce of Courage can be seen on a small banner above the entrance of Link's house in Ordon Village. This Triforce piece is associated with the color green and the goddess Farore.[1]
[edit] Triforce of Wisdom
This was mentioned in the original Legend of Zelda game, where it was split into eight pieces by Zelda in order to hide it from Ganon. It is usually associated with Princess Zelda.
In The Wind Waker, Tetra the pirate carried a necklace made from a piece of the Triforce of Wisdom; the King of Hyrule carried the other half. When put together, Tetra was revealed to be Zelda.
To hide from Ganondorf in Ocarina of Time, Zelda assumes the guise of Sheik. It is speculated that Zelda used the Triforce of Wisdom to do so. This Triforce Piece is associated with blue and the goddess Nayru.[1] This piece is located in the lower left.
This piece of the Triforce is speculated to be briefly given to Midna by Zelda (to save Midna's life after villainous Zant exposed Midna to the Light Spirit Lanaryu's pure light, in an attempt to kill her), in Twilight Princess. It revives Midna, giving her the ability to take on her physical form in the Realm of Hyrule. By giving her part of the Triforce to Midna, Zelda allows Midna and Link to continue their quest to defeat Zant, as well as keeping the Triforce of Wisdom away from Ganondorf, who takes over Hyrule Castle shortly after Midna and Wolf Link set off in search of the Master Sword.
[edit] Triforce of Power
This was mentioned in the original Legend of Zelda, but only the fact that it was stolen by Ganon, as the story was not as strong as the later games in the series. It is often associated with Ganon.
In Ocarina of Time, Ganondorf (a Gerudo thief and the sole male of the tribe in one hundred years) heard of the legend of the Triforce and lusted after its power, primarily as a tool to subjugate the kingdom of Hyrule and expand his influence. Inadvertently aided by a young hero known as Link and the Hylian princess Zelda, Ganondorf found his way into the Sacred Realm. Ganondorf did not know that to claim the Triforce, one must have all three separate pieces of the Triforce - power, wisdom, and courage - together (worth mentioning is that for someone to recieve all three pieces one must believe in all three power, wisdom and courage equally, which we all know that Ganondorf only cared for the power that the Triforce offered). When Link went through the Door of Time, he obtained the Triforce of Courage. Zelda, by some means, had the Triforce of Wisdom. Ganondorf received the Triforce of Power. Each of the three received the mark of the Triforce on the back of one hand. Ganon was defeated and the power of the Seven Sages, including Zelda, was used to seal him in the Sacred Realm along with the Triforce of Power. Link and Zelda retained their Triforces. The Triforce of Power is associated with the color red and the goddess Din.[1] This piece is located at the top. Also, in Twilight Princess, it seems to be taken away from Ganondorf after Link drives the Master Sword into the wound on Ganondorf's chest, as the Triforce marking disappears from his hand.
[edit] Bearers of the Triforce
When the Triforce is split and possessed by the three destined individuals, the piece's influences can be felt by the holders. This can have multiple effects. Ganondorf, in particular, was corrupted even further by his Triforce's power. The Triforce carriers can also sense each other's presence, but not at a great distance (otherwise, Ganondorf would not have to search for Zelda very long in Ocarina of Time and The Wind Waker). The three bearers are Zelda (wisdom), Ganondorf (power), and Link (courage).
[edit] Light Force
The Light Force has only appeared in The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap thus far. It was the thing the main villain, Vaati, was after in order to become a god.
It is unknown if the Triforce and the Light Force are the same thing. The Light Force's portrayal on a stained glass window is a golden triangle, similar the Triforce, composed of golden triangles. Also, both can make the user omnipotent. However, the Light Force doesn't fit the description of the Triforce in any other aspect. While the Triforce is made out of three smaller triangles (and therefore has a gap in the center), the Light Force is full triangle and seemingly not made out of smaller parts.
Some have suggested the Light Force may be another name for the Triforce of Wisdom, since Zelda was its carrier. There's controversy here too, since Zelda's life never depended on her Triforce part; while it is claimed she will die in the extraction process, it doesn't mean she cannot live without it. Also, the Triforce of Wisdom alone cannot grant someone powers similar to the whole Triforce.
What is possible is that it is the Light Force that gave Zelda her telepathic powers. Vaati claimed it ran through her bloodline, and in Ocarina of Time, Zelda had those powers as a child, which means it is not the Triforce of Wisdom that gave her these powers.
In an interview[citation needed], Eiji Aonuma stated that it's not the same thing.
[edit] Other appearances
[edit] Ocarina of Time rumors
- Further information: The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time#Triforce rumors
Though the Triforce makes appearances throughout Ocarina of Time, there is no way to physically obtain it within the game.[2] However, it is rumoured that at some point in the game's development, it was possible for the player to obtain the Triforce. This theory is backed up by an early promotional video released before the game was completed, which appears to show Link discovering the Triforce itself. Many video game hackers have attempted to reverse engineer the game, but there does not seem to be any way to successfully obtain the Triforce as an actual item.
There have been attempts to create faked screenshots using image-editing programs and hacked versions of the game, but these have either been proven to be false, or revealed to be April Fools' jokes.
[edit] Television Appearances
In the cartoon The Legend of Zelda television show, only the Triforce of Wisdom and the Triforce of Power appear. The Triforce of Courage is never mentioned or seen. The Triforces were not golden triangles, but made of colored jewel. Green Emerald color for the Triforce of Wisdom, and Red Ruby Color for the Triforce of Power. Both Triforces floated over a pedestal and ocasionally talked in rhyme to the other characters giving information about the current situation. The Triforce of Wisdom had a female voice and the Triforce of Power had a male voice.
In the cartoon television series "Captain N" the characters from Zelda appeared four times and the Triforce appeared in one episode. The Triforce of Power and the Triforce of Courage were stolen at the beginning of the show but were returned by the end of the episode. The Triforce of Wisdom remained with Zelda and occasionally gave advice by talking through Zelda. The Triforces were made of some sort of Jewel with gold on the interior and each had the letter for the beginning of their name engraved on them.
[edit] Appearances in other Nintendo games
The Triforce is Link's symbol in Super Smash Bros.. It returns as his symbol in the sequel, Super Smash Bros. Melee, and is also used as the symbol for Zelda, Sheik, Young Link, and Ganondorf. There are three structures in Zelda/Sheik's Target Test that look exactly like Triforces. The Triforce is also the goal in the second side-scrolling level in Adventure mode, the Underground Maze. In the upcoming third game in the series, Super Smash Bros. Brawl, the Triforce appears as one of Link's special attacks, as he traps the enemy between two Triforce symbols and relentlessly slashes at them.
In Animal Crossing: Wild World, the Triforce is a furniture item. When used, it separates and assembles in mimicry of the opening to A Link to the Past. In both the original Animal Crossing and Wild World, Katrina, the fortune teller, has the Triforce symbol emblazoned in the far back of her tent. However, it is barely visible in Wild World with her recently discarded crystal ball in front of it.
In Kirby Super Star, The Great Cave Offensive requires Kirby to collect treasures while escaping a vast cave. The final treasure is the distinctively Zelda-like Triforce. In the more recent Kirby: Canvas Curse, a minigame involving joining dots to form images features a Triforce-shaped image.
[edit] Popular culture
- In FPS shooter games like CounterStrike and Day Of Defeat, a Triforce symbol is often available as an in game 'spray' that players can tag wherever.
- In the MMORPG World of Warcraft, a quest line based loosely on the Legend of Zelda series requires the player to retrieve the Triforce-like "Golden Flame" item for the character Linken.[3]
- In Halo 2, the triad (closely resembling the Triforce) is one of the choices for the customizable logo on Master Chief's armor.
- In the online game Adventure Quest, when you ask the NPC, Robina Hood about Rogue class, she will exclaim, "By the great Tri-Farce, I am a ranger!"
- In the first episode of Drawn Together, Xandir, himself a parody of Link, refers to "quad-forces" as being among his acquired power-ups, obviously a reference to the Triforce.
- A Triforce "hack" was displayed on the Great Dome at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology on Saturday, November 18, 2006, one day prior to the North American release of the Wii.[4]
- In Star Wars, the fictional company Kuat Drive Yards has the a logo which is almost identical to the Triforce. It is something that is also seen in real life, where a number of companies use the three triangles as a logo.
- In Power Rangers: Zeo, there exists a race called the Triforians. One Triforian called Trey was separated into three beings, and his forms were Courage, Wisdom and Heart, similar to the Triforce's Courage, Wisdom and Power.
- In the movie Stay Alive, gamer Loomis has this symbol engraved on his lighter, which is given to Phineus after his death. One can also see the symbol on the store employee's t-shirt at the end of the movie.
[edit] See also
- Master Sword
- Musical instruments from The Legend of Zelda series
- Recurring weapons and items from The Legend of Zelda series
[edit] Other media that use symbols similar to the triforce
- American Megatrends
- AFG Glass
- Delta Faucet Company
- Fischer Skis
- Superior Recovery Services
- Zales Diamonds
- Triforce films
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d e Nintendo. The Great Hyrule Encyclopedia - Triforce. Zelda Universe. Retrieved on December 17, 2006. “The holy Triforce was created by three Goddesses to serve as a symbol of their sacred bond with Hyrule -- the world they had created. The Goddess Din offered the Triforce of Power, Nayru contributed the Triforce of Wisdom, and Farore presented the Triforce of Courage. Combined, the three pieces formed the ultimate sacred Triforce.”
- ^ Nintendo. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time FAQ. Zelda Universe. Retrieved on December 17, 2006. “The Triforce is an important element of the game's plot, but it is not an item that Link can earn. On the Quest Status screen, there is a picture of the Triforce in the middle of the Spiritual Medallions. This picture is for decoration only, and cannot be filled in with the Triforce.”
- ^ Golden Flame at WoWWiki, a World of Warcraft wiki.
- ^ Zelda-hack at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (2006-11-18). Retrieved on December 16, 2006.
