Triforce

The Triforce plays an important role in every Zelda game, and so I have gathered information about it here. Specific information regarding the Triforce of Courage can be found at the bottom of the page.

Creation

Before life began, three golden goddesses descended upon the chaotic land of Hyrule. Din, the goddess of Power, cultivated the land to create the earth. Nayru, the goddess of Wisdom, poured her wisdom onto the earth to give the spirit of law to the world. And Farore, the goddess of Courage, created all life forms who would uphold the law.

Their work finished, the goddesses returned to the heavens, leaving behind three sacred triangles known as the Triforce. The Triforce became the source of Hyrule's prosperity and where it rests is known as the Sacred Realm.

Splitting

At the time of Zelda's escape from the castle, Ganondorf is able to access the Triforce when Link opens the Door of Time. But when he touches the Triforce, it splits, leaving him with the piece he desires most: Power. Since he does not have a pure heart and therefore can not obtain the entire Triforce, the other pieces disappear, secretly planting themselves within Link and Zelda.

Seven years pass, and only when Zelda tells Link he has the Triforce of Courage, does he realize it. Ganondorf, however, still desires all three pieces and is pleased to finally find the princess (who had disguised herself as a Sheikah during Link's absence). In the comics and other sources, it seems that Ganondorf needs only two pieces of the Triforce (Power and Wisdom) to become all-powerful. Despite this, he captures Zelda and encourages Link to rescue her. (When he could just as easily have captured Link at the same time.)

Link makes his way through Ganon's Castle, arriving in the top of the tower, where Ganondorf is humbly playing his organ. Zelda floats above Ganondorf, still imprisoned in a crystal. The Triforce symbol on each person's hand begins to glow, alerting Ganondorf to Link's presence. Ganondorf states that since all three bearers are in the room, the Triforce is coming together. However, since Ganondorf does not want the Triforce to become physical again, he orders that Link and Zelda return their pieces to him. Both refuse and Ganondorf unleashes a wave of dark energy upon Link. When he recovers, the stage has been transformed and Ganondorf is now ready for battle.

Link fights valiantly, eventually bringing Ganondorf to his knees. Disgusted that he was beaten by a kid, Ganondorf uses his energy to destroy the walls of the room before falling limp to the floor. Zelda is released from her prison, but does not have much time to speak before the entire castle begins to collapse. She quickly leads Link out of the tower and onto solid ground. Their rejoicing is once again cut short, as Ganondorf rises from the debris. In a fit of rage, he uses the Triforce of Power to become a horrible monster known as Ganon. Once again, he comes after Link, sealing Zelda and an escape route with a ring of fire.

After weakening the beast and re-obtaining the Master Sword (which was struck out of his hand before battle), Link delivers the final blow to Ganon, allowing Zelda and the Sages to seal him away in the Sacred Realm. Although victory belongs to Link and Zelda, Ganondorf still holds the Triforce of Power and the pieces cannot be reunited.

Months after returning to his own time, Link once again embarks on a journey. However, in leaving the world of Hyrule for the alternate dimension of Termina, the Triforce which he possesses separates from his being. The piece breaks into eight shards which scatter throughout Hyrule and there they remain hidden for hundreds of years.

Characteristics

The Triforce of Courage is the lower-right piece of the Triforce; Power, the top triangle, and Wisdom, the lower-left triangle. Courage is represented by the color green, while Wisdom is represented by the color blue, and Power by the color red. The Triforce of Wisdom appears on Zelda's right hand, as does the Triforce of Power for Ganondorf. Courage appears on Link's left hand...the only explanation being that he is left-handed. In earlier Zelda games, the Triforces left a tattoo or scar on the owner's hand. Since all three hosts wear gloves in OoT, it can be assumed they also bear the symbol and choose to cover it up. This is also the reason Link was not aware he held a piece of the Triforce, for when he awakens after seven years, he is equipped with gloves and never takes them off.

Courage

Associated with...

§ Farore; the goddess of Courage. She brought life to the land during the creation of Hyrule, and took part in the creation of the Triforce.

§ Farore's Wind; a warp spell named after the goddess and kept by the Great Fairy of Magic. The crystal it appears in is green, as is the glow of the magic when used.

§ Spiritual Stone of the Forest; the Kokiri's Emerald. One of the three stones needed to open the Door of Time. It is a sacred object protected by the Great Deku Tree and the Kokiri people. (Note that Link was originally from this tribe.)

§ Courage; obviously the Triforce of Courage's element. It gives strength and bravery to its owner.

§ Link; the Hero of Time, keeper of the Triforce of Courage.