Hyrule is a Location in Zelda Tears of the Kingdom. Also known as The Kingdom of Hyrule is a known place that sets in the majority of the Zelda games. It is a vast area filled with varied environments like forests, mountains, rivers, deserts, and villages. It is also populated by different creatures who reside in different regions.
This page covers information regarding the different regions, settlements, dungeons, and history of Hyrule in Zelda Tears of the Kingdom.
Zelda TotK Map of Hyrule
Please visit our Interactive Map page for the Hyrule Map of Zelda Tears of the Kingdom.
History of Hyrule
The Creation of Hyrule
Before time began, before spirits and life existed, three goddesses descended upon the chaos that was Hyrule. Din, the Goddess of Power, Nayru, the goddess of Wisdom, Farore, the Goddess of Courage. Din, with her strong flaming arms, she cultivated the land and created the red Earth. Nayru, poured her wisdom onto the earth and gave the spirit of law to the world. Farore, with her rich soul, produced all life forms who would uphold the law.
The three Great Goddesses, their labors completed departed for the heavens, and golden sacred triangles remained at the point where the goddesses left the world. Since then the sacred triangles have become the basis of our worlds providence. And, the resting place of the triangles has become the Sacred Realm.
The Triforce grants wishes to those who touch it, regardless if the wish is good or bad. It will grant to those who have a strong heart, innate ability and a balance of the three virtues (power, wisdome, and courage), however if one who does not posses the balance of the three virtues touches the Triforce, its three pieces will split apart. The finder is left with the piece that personifies what he or she values most. The other two pieces will appear on the hands of two individuals, chosen by the will of the goddess. One must reunite the three pieces in order to obtain its true power.
The three goddesses created Goddess Hylia and left the triforce in her care. Hylia is a goddess in the Legend of Zelda series who is revered as a protector and guardian of the land of Hyrule. In the distant past, Hylia battled against an ancient evil known as Demise alongside a hero named Link, wielding the power of the Triforce to seal him away. In doing so, Hylia gave up her divinity and was reincarnated as a mortal, living among the people of Hyrule.
Through multiple reincarnations, Hylia's spirit guided Princess Zelda in their battles against evil. She was often depicted as a wise and benevolent figure, guiding these heroes through dreams and visions.
How to Explore Hyrule
In Zelda: BotW, you first wake up in the Shrine of Resurrection and start off in the region of the Great Plateau. You meet the old man (who you later find out is the King of Hyrule, King Rhoam)
You begin by understanding the map of Hyrule, which is broken into different regions that are home to various creatures, flora, and geographical features. Get an idea of where you have to go, which locations you want to see, and in which order. You can then use your Sheikah Slate map to view notable locations and mark waypoints in your journey through Hyrule. Keep an eye out for points of interest along the way. You should look for places where you can obtain weapons, armors and food items which will help you along the way. You might also want to see the different landscapes in the regions, solve the puzzles and shrines, and complete quests, and fight against enemies.
Utilize the towers in each region to survey the landscape and unlock the map. This will help you keep track of undiscovered shrines, villages, and landmarks. Besides gliding around from high points, you can tame horses and register them in any of the stables. The weather can also affect you, such as climbing while raining will be more difficult as you'll be sliding down, while youre in an area thats too hot, your wooden items in your inventory will catch fire causing you to catch on fire as well. Lastly, stay curious and keep exploring to discover new and hidden things on your journey!
Zelda TotK All Regions of Hyrule
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Zelda TotK All Dungeons of Hyrule
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Zelda TotK all NPCs and Merchants
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Zelda TotK All Wildlife and Enemies
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Notable events in Hyrule
The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword
The Rise of Demon King, Demise
- After the three goddess left the world and handed the Triforce to Hylia, Demise began to create his demon army to bring to the surface. It tells of a war of unmatched scale and ferocity, the likes of which would never be seen again. One dark, fateful day, the earth cracked wide and malevolent forces rushed forth from the fissure. They mounted a brutal assault upon the surface people, driving the land into deep despair. They burnt forests to ash, choked the land's sweet springs, and murdered without hesitation.
The Birth of Skyloft
- They did all this in their lust to take the ultimate power protected by Her Grace, the goddess. The power she guarded was without equal. Handed down by the gods of old, this power gave its holder the means to make any desire a reality. Such was the might of the ultimate power that the old ones placed it in care of the goddess. To prevent this great power from falling into the hands of the evil swarming the lands, the goddess gathered the surviving humans on an outcropping of earth. She sent it Skyward, beyond the reach of the demonic hordes. Beyond even the clouds.
Hylia Seals Demise and
- With the humans safe, the goddess joined forces with the land dwellers and fought the evil forces, sealing them away. At last, peace was restored to the surface.
Hylia becomes mortal
- Hylia is aware the seal on Demise will not last long, she strives to use the Triforce to seal him away for good. However the Triforce cannot be used by the hands of the gods, she fuses her soul with a mortal vessel, a spirit maiden. We later find out this maiden is the first reincarnation of Princess Zelda. Her future descendants will continue to pass on the essence of the goddess through their bloodline and title of Zelda.
Link arises
- To face Demise and give the land hope, the goddess, Helia, needed someone with an unbreakable spirit to wield the Triforce. Three quests ( The Silent Realms, The Sacred Flames, and The Song of the Hero) were designed to temper Link's spirit and create a hero. Hylia's reincarnation as a mortal was partially to bait Link, knowing he would throw himself headfirst into any danger to save Zelda. The Master sword was also forged for Link, for the soul purpose of striking down and sealing Demise.
The defeat and curse of Demise
- Demise was then defeated and sealed inside the Master Sword, but not before he utters a devastating curse.
Those like you... Those who share the blood of the Goddess and the spirit of the hero... They are eternally bound to this curse. An incarnation of my hatred shall ever forrlow your kind, dooming them to wander a blood-soaking sea of darkness for all time!
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
After the Hylean Civil War
- The war in Hyrule raged unabated for countless eras. In the midst of the confusion, a lone woman fled the fires of the war with a baby boy in her arms, and escaped to the spirit of the Forbidden Forest, the Deku Tree. He sensed that the infant's destiny was intertwined with Hyrule's future, and took the child in. After the mothers passing, the boy was raised as a Kokiri, who would later become Link the hero. The war eventually had ended by the King of Hyrule, and the entire land was unified under his kingdom.
The Door of Time is Opened
- While Link collected the three Spiritual Stones, Ganondorf launched an attack on Hyrule Castle. This was an attempt to steal the Ocarina of Time, a treasure of the Sacred Realm under the protection of the Royal Family. Impa and Princess Zelda managed to escape and tossing Link the Ocarina of Time, praying that he would protect the Triforce.
- Link had restored the three Spiritual Stones in the Temple of Time, and opened the door by playing the ocarina. The Master Sword was the final key to the Sacred Realm. Ganondorf was informed of Link's actions and invaded the Sacred Realm to reach the Triforce. Doing so, only the Triforce of Power remained. The Triforce of Wisdom went to Princess Zelda, and lastly the Triforce of Courage went to Link.
The Hero awakens
- Link returned as an adult. Carrying the Master Sword in his left hand and the Hylian Shield on his right. As Princess Zelda players her harp, she bestowed her wisdom to Link, instructed him that he had need to travel through time to break each temple's curse. Receiving medallions from the awakened sages, he gradually added their power to his own.
- Rauru was the Sage of Light, who had continued his vigil over the Sacred Realm since time immemorial. Saria of the Kikori tribe was the Sage of the Forest. Darunia of the Goron tribe was the Safe of Fire. Princess Ruto of the Zora tribe was the Sage of Water. Impa, Zelda's attendant, was the Sage of Shadow. Nabooru, the chivalrous thief, was the Sage of Spirit.
Link vs Ganondorf
- Ganondorf had kidnapped Princess Zelda and brought her to his castle and attempted to lure Link there, seeking the final piece of the Triforce.
- Upon losing his fight with Link, Ganondorf used the last of his power to transform into a demonic, evil beast. The Demon King Ganon.
- Princess Zelda entrapped Ganon with waves of light, and Link had finished him off. The six sages then imprisoned the beast in a sealed void.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
The Great Calamity
- 100 years before the events of the game, a great calamity occurred that nearly destroyed the kingdom of Hyrule. A powerful entity known as Calamity Ganon rose up and turned the kingdom into a wasteland. The four Devine Beasts, powerful machines created to fight Ganon, were used to battle him, but failed, and were corrupted by him.
- Calamity Ganon targeted the Hyrule Castle while he sends his blights (Windblight Ganon, Thunderblight Ganon, Fireblight Ganon, and Waterblight Ganon) to target the champions, Revali, Urbosa, Daruk, and Mipha in their regions in the Hebra Mountains (Hebra), Gerudo Desert (Gerudo Wasteland), Death Mountain (Eldin), and Zora's Domain (Lanayru).
Awakening of Link
- At the start of the game, Link awakens from a deep sleep in the ruins of a shrine. He is quickly tasked with finding the Master Sword and defeating the evil Calamity Ganon once and for all.
Shrines
- Throughout the game, Link must explore and complete a variety of shrines, small puzzle-filled dungeons that teast his skills and grant him powerful abilities.
Divine Beasts
- Link must also take control of the Divine Beasts, which have been corrupted by Ganon. To do so, he must defeat the blights that reside within them and free the spirits of the champions who piloted them.
Champions
- The champions who piloted the Divine Beasts play a key role in the games' story. They are all deceased, but their spirits communicate with Link and help him on his quest
Side Quests
- There are numerous side quests to complete that help flesh out the world and characters. These range from simple fetch quests to more elaborated puzzles and battles.
Calamity Ganon
- Link faces off against Calamity Ganon in a climactic battle. The player can choose to face him with all four of the Divine Beasts under their control, which makes the battle easier, or they can face him alone for a greater challenge.
Tears of the Kingdom
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Population of Hyrule
Hyrule is an expansive land filled with diverse locales and characters. One of the most fascinating aspects of Hyrule is the various races that inhabit it, each with their unique traits and cultures. Though there are some races that do not appear in the more later games such as the Kokiri, the Wind tribe, and the Oocca, you can expect to see the following races in Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom.
Skyloftians/ Hylians
- The people of Skyloft, who later become known as the Hylians after Demises defeat. The Hylian race is a prominent race in the Legend of Zelda game series. They are a human-like race with pointed ears and often blonde hair, known for their skilled craftmanship, agility, and bravery.
- The Hylians are also known for their connection to the Triforce. Due to this, they are often the target of villains who seek to harness its power for their own gain.
- Hylians have a played pivotal in the world of Hyrule, serving as the guardians of important artifacts and locations, such as the Temple of Time and the Sacred Realm. They are also skilled in magic and have produced many powerful sorcerers and sages.
Gerudo
- The Gerudo race are a group of humanoid women who typically have tan skin, red hair, and yellow eyes, and are known for being fierce warriors, and desert nomads. They live in the Gerudo Valley region and are riled by a single male leader known as the Gerudo King or Ganondorf, who later becomes one of the main antagonists.
- The Gerudo have a unique culture and tradition where male children born to their race are rare and considered sacred, being raised until adulthood and then sent into the wider world to find a mate. This has led to their society being largely comprised of females, who are tough, skilled in combat, and often times thieves.
- Known for distinctive clothing, which includes veils and other desert garments, and are often associated with powerful magical artifacts such as the Gerudo Desert's Spirit Temple and the Mirror Shield.
Sheikah
- The Sheikah race is an enigmatic and secretive tribe of people. They are known for their advanced technology and magical abilities, as well as their long-standing history as protectors of the Royal Family of Hyrule.
- They are characterized by their red eyes and distinctive facial tattoos, which vary in design and significance among different members of the tribe. They are skilled warriors and are often portrayed as agile and stealthy, with a deep understanding of the natural world.
- In terms of culture and belief, they are deeply connected to the Goddess Hylia, whom they believe created the world and bestowed upon them their powers. They are also known for their loyalty to the Royal Family, who they have served for generations as guardians and advisors.
- Most notably, they are responsible for the creation of many key artifacts and technologies throughout Hyrule's History, including the mystical Sheikah Slate in Breath of the Wild. Their legendary mastery of magic and machinery has made them a powerful force in Hyrule.
Zora
- The Zora race is a group of aquatic humanoid creatures that reside primarily in the water-based regions called Zora's Domain. They are known for their elegance and beauty, with their blue skin and fish-like features. They possess great swimming abilities and are able to breath underwater for extended periods of time. They also have exceptional hearing and are known for their musical ability.
- They are known for their strong cultural ties to water and are often found creating music and art related to ocean life. They worship the goddess of the sea, Jabu-Jabu and have a close relationship with the Hylians, with whom they have a long-standing alliance. They are also skilled craftsmen, known for creating beautiful jewelry and clothing made from coral and other materials found in the ocean.
Goron
- The Goron race is a group of humanoid rock creature species that are known for their immense strength, durability, and insatiable appetite. They are a fascinating and beloved species, known for their toughness, resilience, and unwavering loyalty to their friends and allies.
- Gorons are large and stocky, with boulder-like bodies covered in tough, rocky skin. They have two short legs, and two muscular arms, and a round head with small, bright red eyes. They communicate in a unique language of grunts and growls, and are known for their relentless determination in the face of danger.
- They primarily live in the mountainous regions called Death Mountain. They are skilled miners and craftsmen, and have a strong sense of community, tradition, and are led by a patriarchal figure known as the Goron Elder. Despite their tough exterior, they are also renowned for their hospitality and often offer Link food and shelter on his quests.
- In battle, Gorons rely on their strength and durability to defeat enemies, often by using their massive size to crush opponents or hurl large objects at them. They also possess the unique ability to curl into a ball and roll at high speeds, which they use to maneuver through tight spaces or attack foes.
Rito
- The Rito are a bird-like humanoid race that lives primarily in the skies above the lend of Hyrule. They posses wings in place of arms which enable them to fly effortlessly through the air. They usually have bright colored feathers and beaks, and they are known for their musical and artistic natures. The Rito are an interesting race in Hyrule, known for their aerial abilities, artistic talents, and fierce loyalty.
- They are often depicted as being fiercely loyal to the Royal Family of Hyrule, and many of them are entrusted with important tasks such as guarding sacred relics or performing ceremonial duties. They are proud and brave, but also kind and compassionate.
- The Rito race was first introduced in The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, where they lived on the island of Dragon Roost and worshiped the dragon Valoo. Later in Breath of the Wild, they are shown to have migrated to the other areas of the world, including the Rito Village in the Hebra Mountains.
Korok
- The Koroks are mysterious creatures that have many interesting traits. They are forest spirits that appear in plant form and can only be seen by people who have pure hearts. They also have long lifespans that can reach up to thousands of years, and they love collecting seeds as a form of entertainment.
- Despite their cute appearance, the Koroks are actually quite powerful and can even summon rainstorms.
- There are 900 Koroks to find in the game, and they play a big role in helping players increase their inventory capacity.
Yiga Clan
- The Yiga Clan is a group of ninja-like characters who were first introduced in Breath of the Wild. The Yiga Clan is a group of Sheikah who have abandoned the ways of their ancestor, serving the Royal Family, and now serving Ganon. They are obsessed with mighty bananas and their new leader, Kohga, and will stop at nothing to fulfill their mission to defeat Link and aid in the resurrection of Calamity Ganon.
- The members wear bright red colored clothes and are known for their teleportation abilities. They are often seen wielding swords, bows and sickles, and they move quickly and stealthily. They are also fierce in combat.
- The Yiga Clan is shrouded in mystery and intrigue, with their true motives and history remaining largely unknown. Despite their allegiance to Ganon, some members of the Yiga Clan express doubts about their missions and express admiration for Link's strength and heroism.
Zelda TotK Hyrule Notes & Other Trivia
- Notes and other Tips for Hyrule in Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom go here
Zelda TotK Hyrule Gallery