Kokiri
Special | Eternal childhood | |
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The Kokiri are a recurring race of humans in The Legend of Zelda series, their debut being in Ocarina of Time. Young in both mind and body, the Kokiri are Hylian children[1] that have been granted everlasting youth[2] by the Great Deku Tree, whom they revere as their creator and protector.[3] During the era of the Hero of Time, the Kokiri are shown to be deeply in tune with the nature around them. Accordingly, they are the keepers of the Spiritual Stone of the Forest.
At some point in the years following Ocarina of Time, the Kokiri became the Koroks.[4]
Ocarina of Time
Ocarina of Time marks the debut of the Kokiri. Their home is Kokiri Forest, where Link initially lives among them. At the beginning of his adventure, they are shown to live very peaceful and uncomplicated lives, seemingly devoid of any stress or turmoil. The two most respected members of the community appear to be Mido and Saria.
It is popular knowledge among the Kokiri that to leave the forest would result in one's immediate death.[5] In actuality, any Kokiri that travels elsewhere will simply begin to age in the same way other humans do—inevitably succumbing to old age. The reasoning behind this is that the Great Deku Tree's magic cannot reach the lands beyond the forest.[6]
Link's Return as an Adult
Link finds Kokiri Forest to be completely overrun by monsters upon his return, as the Deku Tree is no longer around to offer its protection. Without the Deku Tree, the Kokiri are no longer safe within the confines of the forest, forcing many to stay indoors out of fear.[7] Link's triumph over Phantom Ganon in the nearby Forest Temple results in the birth of the Deku Tree's successor, the Deku Tree Sprout, reverting Kokiri Forest back to its harmonious state.
A side effect of this is that the Kokiri are now able to come and go from the forest without consequence.[8] This is substantiated after Link's defeat of Ganondorf, in which several Kokiri are seen celebrating at Lon Lon Ranch.
The Wind Waker
By the time of The Wind Waker, the Kokiri had been long transformed into the Koroks. This comes supposedly as a consequence of the Great Flood, after which it is said the Kokiri evolved to better adapt to changing times.[9] Whether or not this was the doing of the Great Deku Tree is unknown.
Nonetheless, The Wind Waker does feature a Kokiri character, one who goes by the name of Fado, whom Link encounters in the Wind Temple. Fado maintains his appearance as a Kokiri child since he is not among the living, having passed on either before or around the time of the Great Flood. It is revealed through dialogue that the Hero of Time is known to him, likely through legend.[10]
Fado is one of two Sages appearing in The Wind Waker, himself bearing the title of Wind Sage.
Gallery
Link speaks with a Kokiri girl in Ocarina of Time, her guardian fairy floating above
Fado, a Kokiri in The Wind Waker
See also
References
- ↑ "In truth, the Kokiri are also Hylians. They trace their roots back to a time when the Hylians were first developing their civilization, building cities and relying on a less natural way of life. The Kokiri decided to distance themselves from the Hylians, exiling themselves to the forest to make their own way of life closer to nature", The Legend of Zelda Encyclopaedia, page 50
- ↑ "Hey, have you seen your old friends? None of them recognized you with your grown-up body, did they? That's because the Kokiri never grow up! Even after seven years, they're still kids!" — Deku Tree Sprout, Ocarina of Time.
- ↑ "Oh, you have a fairy now?! That's great, Link! What? You've been called by the Great Deku Tree? What an honor! He may give you a special gift! Tee hee! That's because the Great Deku Tree is our father, the forest guardian, and he gave life to all of us Kokiri!" — Kokiri girl, Ocarina of Time.
- ↑ "When old Hyrule was subermerged, it is said that the Kokiri evolved, gaining the ability to fly above the waves to different islands.", The Legend of Zelda Encyclopaedia, page 51
- ↑ "The Great Deku Tree said that if a Kokiri leaves the woods, he or she will die!" — Malo, Ocarina of Time.
- ↑ "The Kokiri are told that they will die if they leave the forest, but that is because they will age in places the Deku Tree's power does not reach.", The Legend of Zelda Encyclopaedia, page 50
- ↑ "Since it's dangerous outside, I always stay inside my house. But I'm bored to death in here!" — Kokiri boy, Ocarina of Time.
- ↑ "After the Sage of Forest revives and the child of the Deku Tree is born, they become able to venture outside of the forest they had been confined to for so long.", The Legend of Zelda Encyclopaedia, page 50
- ↑ "What do you call yourself? [Link]? Well, then, [Link]... These are the Koroks_the spirits of the forest. Once upon a time, long ago, the Koroks took on human forms, but when they came to live on the sea, they took these shapes. Now they fear people...but to me, they will ever be my cherished little children." — Great Deku Tree, The Wind Waker.
- ↑ "That garb you wear... Could you be the legendary hero? Has the king at long last found the Hero of Time?" — Fado, The Wind Waker.