Daily Debate: Which Version of Princess Zelda Embodies The Triforce of Wisdom The Most?
Posted on May 05 2019 by Michaela El-Ters
Each piece of the Triforce blesses their bearer with traits true to their namesake. The Triforce of Power not only grants Ganondorf power, but also drives his greed and desire to take over Hyrule; The Triforce of Courage represents the spirit of a young man destined to become the courageous, selfless hero that Link embodies in each incarnation; and the Triforce of Wisdom bestows Zelda with magic and knowledge, allowing her to lead her people with compassion and kindness.
When Hyrule falls to Ganondorf in Ocarina of Time, Zelda dons a new identity as Sheik to protect her piece of the Triforce while helping Link awaken the Sages. In Twilight Princess, when faced with Zant’s invasion, Zelda surrenders instead of drawing out the conflict in order to preserve the lives of her citizens. In Breath of the Wild, Zelda not only travels across Hyrule to call upon the new Divine Guardians, she is also hoping to unlock her sealing powers in order to lock away Ganon after his inevitable return. In all of these examples (and across the series), Princess Zelda is portrayed as a noble, selfless princess who acts in the best interest of her people. But which one is truly “wise?” Which one makes the right decision that benefits the people the most?
For me, I think Breath of the Wild‘s iteration of Zelda embodies the wisdom the Triforce of Wisdom grants because she is relatable. She has her moments of anger and selfishness, but ultimately, she cares for others and is proactive in her desire to seal away Ganon. More so than any other iteration, Zelda’s wisdom and magical abilities are equally important; she is wise, but also gains the magical strength and prowess needed to protect those she cares about. Sometimes, actions speak louder than words and can be just as enlightened.
What do you think? Which version of Princess Zelda do you think embodies the Triforce of Wisdom the most? Let us know in the comments!
Feature art by @Yora_TLOZ
Michaela El-Ters is a Senior Editor for Zelda Dungeon. She is also an Senior Writer for Boss Rush Network, and writes blogs and streams games on Objection Network. Her favorite Zelda game changes with the seasons, but the series as a whole is near and dear to her heart.
