Triforce

"The Triforce! He who touches it will have whatever he desires granted!" — Ganon

The Triforce is a recurring item in the Zelda series, as it is typically the item Ganon is trying to get his hands on. Each shard stands for a trait, Courage (Link), Wisdom (Zelda) and Power (Ganon). It is said to be created when the three goddesses left Hyrule, leaving behind the Triforce.

Legend

We are told by the Great Deku Tree that the Triforce was left behind by Three Golden Goddesses: Din, The goddess of Power, Nayru, The goddess of Wisdom and Farore, The goddess of Courage. And when they created the chaos that was Hyrule they left behind the golden power, the sacred relic that was the Triforce. However it was never specified that they were the ones to create it.

The Legend of Zelda

The Triforce of Wisdom and Triforce of Power are described as "Magical Golden Triangles" that grant their holders great power. Before the events of the game, Ganon stole the Triforce of Power and captured Princess Zelda, who split the Triforce of Wisdom into eight Shards and hid them in dungeons in Hyrule. Link goes to all eight dungeons to recover the pieces of the Triforce of Wisdom. When this has been done, he must battle his way through Ganon's forces to defeat him and recover the Triforce of Power, and rescue Princess Zelda.

Zelda II: The Adventure of Link

The Triforce of Courage is first introduced in the second game of the Zelda series. In order to keep the third part of the Triforce safe, the King of Hyrule placed it in the Great Palace, where it could only be obtained by one who could fight his way through six other palaces to break the magical seal left by the king. Guarded by a Triforce Keeper, the Triforce could only be recovered by a hero capable of defeating the soldiers and monsters set to guard the Great Palace and also their own inner demons. Link overcomes these obstacles to complete the Triforce, and uses the power of the united item to wake the sleeping Princess Zelda.

A Link to the Past

The Triforce, also referred to as the "Golden Power", is for the first time spoken of as physical manifestation of the Goddesses' power. Bestowed upon Hyrule at the moment of their departure, it lay hidden in the fabled Golden Land until the evil thief Ganondorf broke the seal and entered the hidden land. Upon murdering his companions and claiming the Triforce for his own, Ganon used its power to turn the Golden Land into the Dark World. In the Dark World a person changes into something that reflects their nature; Link is changed into a pink rabbit. Ganon is later sealed inside the Dark World by the Seven Wise men, but he uses Aghanim as a portal between the worlds and causes problems, but Link saves the day eventually and gets granted the wish from the Triforce. He uses this opportunity to turn the dark world into the golden land.

Ocarina of Time

The Triforce is kept inside The Temple of Light, The Sacred Realm. Ganondorf got his hands on the Triforce, and since his heart was not pure it split into three pieces, and sets the story in motion for that game. In Ocarina of Time the tale about the godessess is told, the one on top. The game is about awakening the six sages and sealing Ganondorf away, and they suceed.

Majora's Mask

Although the game's story doesn't focus on the Triforce, there are cameos in the game with the Triforce appearing. The carvings on stones, Link's shield etc. Otherwise there is no direct importance.

Oracle of Ages & Seasons

The Triforce plays a similair part in both Oracle games. In the beginning of both games, Link has been called by the Triforce and goes to the place it is kept. The Triforce tells Link of problems in the lands of Labrynna and Holodrum, the lands in which Oracle of Ages and Oracle of Seasons are set, respectively. Link is then teleported to these lands by the Triforce.

The Wind Waker

The Triforce is split into shards in The Wind Waker, but it is not until mid-game that Link has to start his quest for the Triforce. There are eight shards and Link has to collect Triforce charts to find out where the chests with the Triforce shards are buried. As you might have already guessed, the chests are buried beneath the great sea.

The Fishmen can help Link find the Triforce charts. Humerously, they call the Triforce "Triumph Forks."

Minish Cap

The Triforce in this game isn't making much more than cameo appearances just like in Majora's Mask.

Twilight Princess

The Triforce is not talked about much in Twilight Princess, but it is showed plenty of times. The Triforce of Courage is seen on Link's hands a couple of times, as is The Triforce of Power, upon Ganondorf's. It is also on the ground in the ruins of The Temple of Time. It is not explained in this game at all, and thus will be unrecognizable for those who have not played any other Zelda game before hand.