Master Sword

The Master Sword resting in the Lost Woods.
Master Sword
Origin	Ancient Hyrule
Type	Weapon
Debut	The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past

The Master Sword is a magical sword known as the blade of evil's bane which has been featured as an emblematic item of the The Legend of Zelda series since its introduction in A Link to the Past. It is wielded only by a true hero such as Link and is particularly effective against Ganon, possessor of the Triforce of Power. Its origins were explored in Skyward Sword, which featured the Master Sword in its earlier form as the Goddess Sword.

Information

The Master Sword is said to have been forged long before the time of Ganon as instructed by a 'divine oracle' and is said to have been made to prevent the Triforce from being stolen by those with evil hearts. Skyward Sword revealed that it was instead made by the goddess Hylia, and it had to be infused with three flames before reaching its full power. Within The Wind Waker, the source of its power comes from two of the sages, whose prayers to the gods give the sword the power to defeat evil. Without them, it becomes dull and closer to being a normal, if still particularly powerful, sword. It is uncertain if this applies outside of The Wind Waker, as the Master Sword does not suffer from this problem in any other game with the exception of Skyward Sword, where the sword started off in a weaker form.

This sword has been used many times by heroes through the ages, with all of its known users being incarnations of Link, as Hylia created it for her chosen hero. When it is not in use, the Master Sword usually is resting in a pedestal at once of several locations, although the Hyrule Historia has implied that nearly all of these places are the same geographical location. In most cases, the sword is used as a key of different sorts and has effects on its environment after being withdrawn. To claim the Master Sword, three objects (which correspond to the three parts of the Triforce) must usually be obtained beforehand. In Skyward Sword, the sword was also shown to have a spirit known as Fi who acted as a guide to Link. There is no clear sign of her presence in other games, but this may be because she appeared to have entered an eternal sleep within the Master Sword at the end of the game.

Appearances

Pre-Timeline-Split

Skyward Sword

The sword and Fi were originally created by Hylia to help her chosen hero to destroy Demise for good. The sword was initiall known as the Goddess Sword, and it was kept in a secret shrine on the Isle of the Goddess in Skyloft. When the time came for Link's destiny to begin, Fi guided Link to the shrine and convinced him to draw the sword. The Goddess Sword was able to perform a variety of functions, especially whenever it was charged with holy light by performing the Skyward Strike. The sword was also used to access Silent Realms at certain points, and Fi maintained a dowsing feature for the sword. Throughout Link's quest, he also used the sword to reseal Demise's form as The Imprisoned several times.

Although the Goddess Sword was useful, it was not at its full potential. Link eventually traveled across the three provinces in search of the three sacred flames that were needed to strengthen his sword. Each flame corresponded with one of the three Golden Goddesses and also proved Link worthy of receiving a Triforce piece. The first flame made the sword longer and twice as powerful. The second flame made allowed the sword to dowse for Goddess Cubes. The third and final flame granted infused the sword with a sacred white light that demons reviled. It was at this point that the Goddess Sword revealed its true form as the Master Sword. With the Goddess Sword at its full potential as the Master Sword, Link was able reactivate the dormant Gate of Time at the Temple of Hylia to reach its past version. In the past, Zelda blessed the sword with Hylia's power, which fully unlocked the Master Sword's ultimate form. This granted the sword the mystical power to drive back demons and made Link its sole wielder.

Within the Sky Keep, Link was able to use the Master Sword to access Silent Realm-like areas which held the three Triforce pieces. In the final battles, the Master Sword was used to defeat Ghirahim and destroy Demise. Afterwards, Link placed the Master Sword within a pedestal in the Temple of Hylia while still in the distant past. Fi entered an eternal slumber. Demise's residual consciousness was apparently absorbed into the sword and sealed away, where these remains would slowly decay into nothing. When they returned to the present, the Master Sword was still resting at the Sealed Temple with a light shining on it, although there was no acknowledgment of the sword and pedestal not being visible in earlier portions of the game.

Ocarina of Time

The Master Sword was hidden within the Temple of Time (implied to be built around the Sealed Temple), where it was kept in the Pedestal of Time and could only be reached when the Song of Time was played on the Ocarina of Time with the presence of the three Spiritual Stones to open the Door of Time. Drawing the Master Sword from the pedestal would open a gate to the Sacred Realm. However, the sword could only be drawn by the Hero of Time, and as Link was too young to be the hero of legend, drawing the Master Sword caused him to be placed into a slumber for seven years within the Sacred Realm.

Aside from being Link's primary weapon upon his waking, the Master Sword also functioned as Link's means for time travel. Returning the Master Sword to the Pedestal of Time would send him back to his childhood, and drawing it again would send him back to the future. The Master Sword proved necessary for Link's first battle with Ganondorf and was instrumental for his ultimate defeat, at which point he was sealed within the Evil Realm. At the end of the game, Princess Zelda used the Ocarina of Time to send Link back to his childhood years. Link arrived in the Temple of Time and returned the Master Sword to its resting place (seemingly at a time prior to Link's first drawing it and opening the Sacred Realm), which permanently closed the gates between the two times as they independently became two different timelines. The Master Sword still existed in the other timeline as well, where Zelda returned it to the Temple of Time and closed the Door of Time.

Child Timeline

Twilight Princess

The Master Sword was found in the ruins of the Temple of Time near Faron Forest, known as the Sacred Grove (which seems to have been intended as a way of bridging its different locations in Ocarina of Time and A Link to the Past). When Link was trapped in his wolf form by Zant's curse, approaching the Master Sword caused its holy power to cleanse Link and restored his human form. Link then drew the sword and used it in his quest. During return visits to the sanctuary, Link could briefly dip the Master Sword back into its pedestal to open new areas, including the "real" Temple of Time. In the final battle, Link impaled Ganondorf on the Master Sword, leading to Ganondorf's supposed death. In the game's ending credits, the Master Sword was shown to have been returned to its pedestal.

Adult Timeline

The Wind Waker

The Master Sword was found in the basement of Hyrule Castle (an area adorned with stain glass windows depicting scenes from Ocarina of Time), underneath the Great Sea. Link pulled the Master Sword from its pedestal, causing time to un-freeze in Hyrule Castle. Link attempted to use the Master Sword against Ganondorf, but he failed due to the fact that the Master Sword had grown dull without the prayers of the sages, Laruto and Fado, whom had been killed by Ganon.

Link sought out the two new Sages, Medli and Makar, and he brought them to their respective temples. With their prayers, the Master Sword was restored to full power. Link then used it in battle with Ganondorf. In the end, Link defeated Ganondorf by planting the Master Sword in his head, which turned him into stone. Ganondorf's petrified body and the Master Sword that was still lodged in it were left at the bottom of the Great Sea.

Downfall Timeline

The sequence of events regarding the Master Sword's movements prior to A Link to the Past in this timeline is uncertain. Link was known to wield it against Ganon and died during the battle. The Hyrula Historia, the only source for this timeline, does not mention what happened to the sword afterwards. The backstory for A Link to the Past does mention that the King of Hyrule and the sages tried to find the Master Sword and a hero capable of wielding it after Ganon found the Triforce, but they could not find either one, which led to them sealing Ganon away by themselves. This account seems to have been retconned out by Hyrule Historia's story, and it is not elaborated how the Master Sword went from Link's possession to being in a pedestal by the events of A Link to the Past.

A Link to the Past

Within the game, the Master Sword was found in the Lost Woods, and the Hyrula Historia implies that the forest is the rotted form of a temple (most likely the Temple of Time) which held the Master Sword. Link was able to claim it after gathering all three of the Pendants of Virtue. The drawing of the Master Sword also cleared all of the fog in the Lost Woods and allowed Link to shoot sword beams. With the Master Sword in his possession, Link destroyed the barrier blocking off the tower of Hyrule Castle and battled various monsters of the Dark World.

The Master Sword could additionally be upgraded into the Tempered Sword with help from the dwarven smithies. It could then be further upgraded (or simply bypassed straight) into the Golden Sword by Venus, Queen of Fairies. At the end of the game, Link returned the Master Sword to its pedestal, where it was said that it would sleep forever.

The Oracle games

The Master Sword also appeared in one of the two Oracle games (Oracle of Seasons and Oracle of Ages). It only appeared if certain conditions were met. It could be accessed either as the final part of a trading sidequest or by distributing passwords between the two games. Depending on the path, the Master Sword is either upgraded from the Noble Sword or obtained separately. The Master Sword's appearance in these games does not seem to be canon, as the Hyrula Historia does not acknowledge it, and the Oracle games are positioned as direct sequels to A Link to the Past, where the Master Sword was left in the Lost Woods and was found there again in Link Between Worlds.

There are a total of four variable paths towards getting the Master Sword depending on the order the two games are played with and whether the trading sidequest or password is done first. By going through the trading sidequest after the passwords (meaning that the upgrade would be used to make the Wooden Sword into the Noble Sword), the Master Sword is obtained as an independent item. In Oracle of Seasons, it could notably be found within a grove in Holodrum's Lost Woods (which is evocative of its earlier appearances and seems the most likely to fit into continuity). In Oracle of Ages, Link receives a Broken Sword from an Old Zora in exchange for a Sea Ukulele. According to the Old Zora, it once was a Hero's Sword that was given to his ancestors long ago by a hero (possibly a former Link). The sword is repaired as the Master Sword in a "ceremony" (actually a minigame) that a man holds on Restoration Wall.

The other two options are for upgrading a Noble Sword obtained during the trading sidequest using the passwords. In Oracle of Ages (one that is linked to an "Oracle of Ages"), the sword is upgraded by King Zora out of gratitude after he receives a message from a Zora that he sent to Holodrum. In Oracle of Seasons, an old man living under the Clock Shop in Holodrum Village will subject Link to a test after hearing from a hag in Labrynna, and if Link passes, the old man then gives the sword new power, which could upgrade it from a Noble Sword to Master Sword. The Master Sword is not necessary for defeating Ganon or beating the game.

A Link Between Worlds

In A Link Between Worlds, the Master Sword was found in the Lost Woods, right where it had been left in A Link to the Past. Once again, Link had to collect the three Pendants of Virtue in order to draw it and use its power. Throughout the game, Link could find pieces of Master Ore, which could be used by the blacksmiths of Hyrule and then Lorule to upgrade the sword into the Tempered Sword and Golden Sword, respectively. At the end of the game, Link returned the Master Sword to its place in the Lost Woods.

Unknown Timeline

Breath of the Wild

In Breath of the Wild, the Master Sword was planted at a pedestal in the Korok Forest, where the Deku Tree watched over it. Link had obtained it in the past, proving himself as Hyrule's Champion in the process, and he used it during the initial battles against the forces of Calamity Ganon. However, he was lethally wounded and had to be placed in the Shrine of Resurrection. The Master Sword's voice spoke to the princess and gave her instructions about what to do next. Zelda returned the Master Sword to its pedestal in the forest afterwards, so that it could be ready for Link when he returned.

One hundred years later, Link awakened and could find the Master Sword at the Korok Woods. However, pulling the sword out drained his strength, and he needed a specific amount of life energy (specifically, at least 13 hearts in his heart meter) to successfully draw it. It could be used freely in battle, but using it too much would cause the Master Sword to lose its energy temporarily. It could only be activated permanently by completing the Trial of the Sword from the game's first DLC pack. The Master Sword was used for the final battle against Calamity Ganon, and Link was shown to still be carrying the sword in the game's aftermath. Zelda realized that she could no longer hear the sword's voice, which she chalked up to her magical power having diminished.

Tears of the Kingdom

During the years that passed between Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, Link let the Master Sword rest in the Korok Forest for a period of time. As seen in one of the flashbacks, Link and Zelda went to retrieve it before going to examine the gloom beneath Hyrule Castle. As Zelda was impressed by the Master Sword's ability to heal over time, the Deku Tree elaborated that when it rested while bathed in sacred power, the Master Sword would not only heal but become more powerful. Underneath Hyrule Castle, Link and Zelda were attacked by an emaciated Ganondorf, who brought down an overwhelming wave of gloom that destroyed most of the Master Sword's blade, although a piece of the blade's debris was still able to cut Ganondorf's cheek.

Link wielded the broken Master Sword for a short period at the beginning of the game until it disappeared in a glow of light. It was revealed through one of the flashbacks that it seemed to be a combination of the Master Sword's will and Zelda's time powers (amplified by her secret stone) that caused the broken Master Sword to be pulled back through time into the time period that Zelda had trapped herself in, which was the era of Hyrule's founding. Zelda was able to communicate with the Master Sword in order to confirm that Link was safe, and this cemented her course of action. While holding the Master Sword, she swallowed her secret stone to undergo the forbidden process of draconification. This caused her to transform into a Light Dragon, with the Master Sword held in her hair. She proceeded to fly through the skies of Hyrule for the entirety of the kingdom's history. During this time, the Master Sword's power restored and became even more powerful, which Zelda saw as vital to Ganondorf's defeat.

The Master Sword could be discovered atop the Light Dragon at any point within the game, but Link would need at least two full wheels of stamina to pull the Master Sword out. It functioned the same as in Breath of the Wild, and it would be automatically equipped during the final battle against Ganondorf. In the aftermath of the battle, Link was seen still carrying the Master Sword in the final scenes.

In Other Zelda Games

The sword was featured in Hyrule Warriors, where it was obtained by Link as part of the story told in Legend mode, after the eleventh scenario known as "The Sacred Sword". In this game, it was kept in the Temple of the Sacred Sword, in an area that has been overtaken by nature and was filled with trees. To access that area, Link's allies had to awaken three different Sealed Statues, at which point Link could access the Master Sword's resting place. He used it for the rest of the game and returned it to its pedestal at the end, although he needed Zelda's help to do so due to dark energy offering resistance.

The Master Sword also appeared in Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity. As in Breath of the Wild, it was kept within the Korok Forest and was drawn by Link during the main story.

Other Appearances

Video Games

• The Master Sword is Link's primary weapon in every game of the Super Smash Bros. series and is also wielded by Toon Link in his appearances. A trophy of the Master Sword appears in Super Smash Bros. Melee (the description of which incorrectly states it first appeared in Ocarina of Time), and his introduction in the Subspace Emissary of Super Smash Bros. Brawl shows him drawing the Master Sword from a pedestal in a forest. In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, it plays a role in Adventure Mode, within the Sacred Land, an area based on the Zelda games. The Sacred Land has a Master Sword pedestal that could only be reached by gaining the Triforces of Courage and Wisdom, and by defeating Cloud Strife. After the Master Sword was drawn, it had the effect of clearing away the darkness that blocked the northern area of the Sacred Land's mpa.
• It also appears as an item in Animal Crossing, Animal Crossing: Wild World and Animal Crossing: New Leaf. In Wild World, it was temporarily made available over Wi-Fi to promote the release of Twilight Princess.
• The Master Sword also appears in Soul Caliber II as Link's default weapon.
• In Nintendo Land, it is available as a prize.
• In Mario Kart 8 and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Link uses the Master Sword for some of his tricks, and the Master Sword is also seen resting as part of the Hyrule Castle course.
• Link was depicted with the Master Sword in Scribblenauts Unlimited.
• In Bayonetta 2, Bayonetta would wield the Master Sword when wearing Link's costume.
• The Master Sword could be found in a treasure chest in the Nintendo Switch version of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim.
• In Super Mario Maker 2, the Master Sword was added as a power-up in a December 2019 update. It allowed Mario to transform into Link and to utilize some of his weapons. The Master Sword was only available in the Super Mario Bros. style and was rendered in 8-bit.

Other Media

• The Master Sword has been included in manga adaptations of A Link to the Past, Ocarina of Time and Twilight Princess, typically with a similar role as in the games.
• In the Skyward Sword manga, which acted as a prequel to the game, it was shown that Hylia originally wielded the Master Sword, and that it was created by the gods. She chose to entrust it to Link, but he had to reforge it first so that it could be wielded by mortal hands. Link did so with the help of craftsmen, and both Hylia and Link used the Master Sword to raise Skyloft into the sky.

Trivia

• In A Link to the Past (and A Link Between Worlds), Ocarina of Time, and The Wind Waker, getting the Master Sword required getting three different but otherwise similar objects: Pendants, Spiritual Stones, and Pearls respectively. Similarly, in Skyward Sword the Goddess Sword became the Master Sword after being empowered by three Sacred Flames. In all of these instances, each object is notably associated with a different goddess.
• The Master Sword is capable of firing sword beams when Link is at full health in A Link to the Past, A Link Between Worlds, Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom. The sword is also capable of a similar type of attack known as Skyward Strikes in Skyward Sword.

See Also

• Four Sword
• Phantom Sword
• Lokomo Sword