From the very beginning, the Zelda series has taught us that it’s dangerous to go alone. Whether it’s with a trusty sword and shield by our side or with the help of a partner, it’s easier to overcome challenges with help. Despite the overwhelming number of enemies and puzzles that stand between Link and victory, he can always count on friends, townspeople, fellow warriors, and traveling companions to have his back. Occasionally, Link even receives help from his previous incarnations, such as when the Hero of Twilight is trained by The Hero’s Spirit. It’s this aid from the past that artist John Su perfectly captures in his piece “The Chain Link of Zelda.”
At first glance, this art overwhelms its audience with a staggering twenty different figures to pay attention to, and I’m sure that many fans will react the same way I did and start trying to figure out which Links and Zeldas are included. For the most part, the totems of Links and Zeldas parallel each other. Those furthest in the background are the ones from the original Legend of Zelda, and each successive Link and Zelda going forward is from a game closer to the end of the timeline, signified by the Link and Zelda from Breath of the Wild.
There are some deviations from the connecting Links and Zeldas though. In games where Zelda is not present, such as Link’s Awakening and Majora’s Mask, John Su has included some lesser-known heroines like the ones from Four Swords and the Oracle games. It’s such a clever way to include representation for even more of the games in the series, though fans of the Adventure of Link are left in the all too familiar position of feeling excluded.
Digging deeper into the varying versions of Link and Zelda, it’s interesting to look at each character’s facial expression. Many of them show a common expression of concern for the falling Breath of the Wild Zelda, but some of them feature unique faces that invite interpretation. Twilight Princess Zelda has a steely look that is very reassuring. You believe that she will not let any harm befall her descendant. Twilight Princess and Wind Waker Link share a somewhat quizzical look at each other. You can almost imagine them thinking, “What happened to me?” I prefer to think that they’re sharing a common laugh at the amount of uproar over Toon Link’s design.
The two largest figures are those of Breath of the Wild‘s Link and Zelda. Though at first I thought it may have been meant to reference the scene from the E3 Breath of the Wild sequel trailer when Link valiantly tries to catch Zelda as she falls, a quick glance at Zelda’s flowing hair and Link’s Champion’s Tunic sans extra armor confirms that these are the pair from the first game.
In the direct center of the image is the Triforce. A deeper analysis shows that the golden artifact is found right in the middle of a circle with rays of light radiating outwards. There are also thick white lines lighting the paths that the different Links and Zeldas travel.
The fact that the Triforce, which connects so many of the Zelda games together, is surrounded by a circle is extremely important. Circles have many meanings. They are often used to demonstrate equality, such as with King Arthur’s round table. This shows that all these Links and Zeldas are important. There is no weakest Link (or Zelda), and in fact, if any one hero or heroine were to not be there, darkness would have won. Another meaning of the circle is to show an infinite cycle or timelessness. Despite the horrific, continuous resurrection of the evil they face, Link and Zelda will always rise together to fight it.
The thickness of the vertical white lines tracing the ancestry of each Link and Zelda serves to reinforce this message that despite the seeming futility of fighting against the never-ending forces of darkness, both Link and Zelda are supported by the bravery, sacrifices, and friendships found in their past lives. The chain binding them is not the small, delicate chain of a necklace, but the thick, steel chains used to raise the drawbridge and protect Hyrule from harm.
Life is often hard, whether you live in the land of Hyrule or in our own world, so it’s important that we have pieces of art like this one to remind us that despite all evidence to the contrary, we are seldom truly alone. Whether we are staring down troubles while surrounded by friends and family or facing our own inner demons, we have our own chain links both seen and unseen behind us.
