r/truezelda • u/LapisLazuliisthebest • Aug 30 '26
Open Discussion [OoA] Essence of Time. And Veran, the demon of grief.
I was reading a post by u/Mido128. all about the Essence's in the Oracle games. It's a great post, you should read it if you haven't already.
The Importance of the Essences in the Oracle Games : r/truezelda
In it, they reveal the original Japanese names for the Essences are the "Principals of Earth" and the "Principals of Time-space".
NOTE: They actually use the word "Reasons", but I'm saying "Principals" because I think it has a nicer ring to it.
The one they go into detail with are the Principals of Earth, explaining that the first seven objects represent each stage of a plant growing. Starting with the seed, then what it needs to grow, and the ultimate result. The finale being the master Principal, which represents the seasons as a whole.
One thing they gloss over are the Principals of Time-Space. The only one they mention in detail is the Falling Star, which the OP suggests represents the Triforce.
This is understandable, as the Principals of Time-Space are more metaphysical then the PoE. But, I'd thought give it a try.
The Principals of Time space
Here is a list of each PoTS and my attempt of analysing each one.
Spirit’s Grave (Yoll Graveyard) - Eternal Spirit - Even after life ends, it speaks across time to the heart.
This tell us that even after death, life goes on.
Wing Dungeon (Deku Forest) - Ancient Wood - It whispers only truth to closed ears from out of the stillness.
The use of the phrase "closed ears" and the words "whispers" and "stillness" bring to mind spiritual listening. Closing off all external stimuli in order to here the quite voices of nature.
It's worth noting that the Zelda series often associates trees and forests with hidden secrets. The Koroks are invisible to most adults, and the Deku Tree lives secluded in the forest. In the case of OoX, the Oracle of Secrets, Farore, makes her base inside both Maku Trees. The Maku Tree's themselves know where most of the PoX are.
NOTE: I might do a Farore post in the future.
Moonlit Grotto (Crescent Island) - Echoing Howl - It echoes far across the plains to speak to insolent hearts.
This one specifies insolent hearts. The fact that it "echoes across the plains" suggests distance. Of course, the distance is not necessarily physical. But simply, the person has distanced themselves from others, via rude behaviour.
Link as had to deal with a lot of jerks in the games. Mido, Groose, Ruto, Tetra, Midna... the list goes on. All of which do soften up to Link, eventually.
Whilst this is more then likely just a coincidence, out-of-universe. The Echoing Howl calls to mind a wolf, an animal Link turns into in TP. Of course, it's also found in the Moonlit Grotto, another wolf connection, and by ALttP, Link has started being associated with the moon.
Skull Dungeon (Symmetry Village) - Burning Flame - It reignites wavering hearts with a hero’s burning passion.
Here it talks about internal conflict, and struggling. The burning flame reignites these hearts with "a hero’s burning passion", getting them to ultimately do the right thing.
Crown Dungeon (Rolling Ridge) - Sacred Soil - All that lies sleeping in the bosom of the earth will know the nourishing warmth of the Sacred Soil.
Mido128 actually did talk about this one, when they compare it to the Fertile Soil of the Principals of Earth. How the PoE are physical and literal, whereas the PoTS are metaphorical. In this case, both are named "X Soil" and resemble shoots growing out of the ground. But, whilst the Fertile Soil is literally talking about soil growing plants, the Sacred Soil uses the visuals of shoots and soil purely as a metaphor.
This one talks about spiritual growth that all living things go through. Note it says "All that lies sleeping in the bosom of the earth", literally meaning "Every living thing on earth".
Mermaid’s Cave (Rolling Ridge) - Bereft/Lonely Peak - It is a proud, lonely spirit that remains stalwart, even in trying times.
This ones interesting. Rather then talking to people, this principal talks about itself. It describes itself as "a proud, lonely spirit". And how it "remains stalwart, even in trying times." Rather then communicate it's lesson directly, it sets an example.
This lesson is: Even if things are stressful and difficult, you should always remain diligent, and never give up. Just like the lonely peak.
Of course, this actually ties in well with Queen Ambi. She is longing for her missing lover, and remains faithful to him, no matter how long he's gone for.
rather fittingly, the moment Link retrieves this item, Queen Ambi has left the palace, giving Link a chance to save Nayru, and stop Veran's plan. Whilst he succeeds in freeing Nayru, it fails when Veran possesses Ambi. But the point stands. Manipulating Ambi isn't going to work anymore. Hence why she has to resort to full possession.
Jabu-Jabu’s Belly (Zora Village) - Rolling Sea - The mystical song of the sea roars into a crashing wave that sweeps heroes out into adventure.
This one talks about heroes being swept into adventure, much like Link. Most games have Link just laying around, enjoying life, until something unexpected happens, and he's called into action.
What's interesting is that this also foreshadows Link's Awakening (If you ignore the timeline retcon). The OoX were clearly envisioned as prequals to LA.
Whilst the Principals of Time-space are metaphorical, the references to songs and seas sweeping hero's into adventure may remind one of Link's adventure with the Wind Fish. And, fittingly, it's found inside the belly of a leviathan.
Ancient Tomb (Sea of No Return) - Falling Star - The eternal light of this heavenly body acts as a guide to the other essences.
Mido128 already went over this in detail. They do a much better job in explaining it then I do. I don't wish to fill this page with stuff that's already been said.
Veran, the demon of Grief
As you know, there are two demons in OoX, Onox and Veran. Each are essential to Twinrova's plan to ignite the flames of Ruin and Grief, which will resurrect Ganon. (there's also the "Flame of Despair", but that's not important)
One thing I noticed is how each Demon represents everything their opposing Oracles and Principals oppose.
Just as Din is the Oracle of Seasons, and the Principals of Earth represent the natural growth cycle, Onox personifies natural disasters. He arrives in a lightning storm and attacks Din's troupe and Link in the form of a tornado. He also appear to possess some geokinesis, being able to sink the Temple of seasons, and just earth quakes in his battle with Link.
Fittingly, Onox resembles a large brutish warrior with a flail, and his true for is that of an imposing destructive dragon.
Veran could just as well personify negative emotions, like grief and worry. She takes the form as a seductive woman, and can also take the form of insects. She is a parasite, both literally and figuratively.
Queen Ambi is longing for her missing lover, a Captain who sent out to sea, promising to return, but never did. The queen instructs builders to build a tower, that would let her see how the Captain is doing. Veran, possessing Nayru, takes advantage of the Queen's worry by seducing her into giving her permission to create and eternal day, to allow the workers to keep building the tower without rest, until it reaches the heavens.
Veran is the opposite of the Principals of Time Space. Whereas the Ancient Wood whispers truth, Veran tells lies. The Echoing howl confronts rudeness, Veran encourages selfishness. The Burning Flame steers you to do the right thing, Veran leads you astray. The Lonely Peak teaches you to remain patient, no matter how difficult it is, Veran convinces you to cut corners at the expense of others.
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u/LoCal_GwJ Aug 31 '26
I definitely agree with Mido128 that the Reasons of Time-Space are very Hero-coded, although probably in the reverse direction in the sense that these Reasons are the things a person needs to have the clarity to perceive reality as it is and the traits needed to do what needs to be done in the face of obstacles.
Eternal Spirit - Could be literally talking about the spirit of the hero that "speaks across time to the heart" which describes the reappearance of this archetype of the "Hero" that the Links all embody.
Ancient Wood - This could be talking about the perceptiveness that someone like Link needs to see through illusions. This reminds me of Link's abilities to see patterns in Hyrule and recognize they are actually puzzles meant to be solved. A regular person may see a near-complete circle of rocks and not think about it, but Link recognizes it is special.
Echoing Howl - As you said, Link needs to interact with some characters who are not always nice. I think this describes Link's ability to, like a wolf, command a sense of urgency and respect from those around him despite not necessarily being the kind of person to command such a thing under normal circumstances. Link approaches stubborn people who need to assist Link for him to succeed, and he manages to convince them to cooperate.
Burning Flame - This could be describing a fundamental aspect of the Hero's personality. The Hero needs to have resolve and not to doubt his mission. Link embodies this trait in every game where despite how bleak it seems, he still needs to have the resolve to act with confidence and to not let doubt cause him to pull his punches.
Sacred Soil - This one I think isn't really Hero-specific but is rather talking about how the land itself is quite literally blessed by the power of the gods. In the context of a Hero, this could be talking about what it is that the Hero ultimately is fighting to preserve. This power from the land is something that's at the most fundamental level of the world and something all beings are affected by, and the disruption of this can have massive impacts on the world.
Lonely Peak - You worded this pretty well. This is similar to Burning Flame in that it is talking about remaining strong in the face of adversity.
Rolling Sea - This is talking about the nature of the world in relation to a true Hero. Heroes like Link are quite literally swept off their feet to become a Hero. Whether they're a simple farm boy, a young child, a knight; these Links are spontaneously called to action by a sudden crashing wave of conflict.
Falling Star - I think this is probably also talking to the Triforce. This is talking about the fundamental energy or force underlying all of reality, one step more fundamental than the Sacred Soil. The Falling Star is the Hero's guiding light and something the hero can chase in his endeavor to bring peace to the world.
Definitely a very interesting set of things to consider, Mido128 was cooking for sure.
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u/LapisLazuliisthebest Aug 31 '26 edited Aug 31 '26
I see what you mean.
Your descriptions could be how they relate to Link on a personal level. But they could still relate to everyone in one way or another. Like how the Lonely Peak relates to Queen Ambi. After all, they weren't created specifically for Link.
EDIT: You could say that Link is one of the few people in the Zelda universe that all the qualities the 8 Essences represent.
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u/Stucklikegluetomyfry Aug 31 '26 edited Aug 31 '26
I love Veran so this is a really interesting read.
Veran would absolutely have the kind of insolent heart the Echoing Howl would admonish, but she would ignore or mock it if it attempted to chastise or reason with her.
I suppose you could say that the Falling Star acts as a guide to the other essences, to lead them for the benefit of themselves and others. Veran guides others to ruin for her own evil, selfish benefit and ambition, with her corruption of the formerly kind and just Queen Ambi. Veran also had Ambi banish all of her royal advisers and anyone in the palace who could have brought her to her senses, so Veran’s grip on the queen was unopposed, and Ambi ended up completely emotionally dependant on her. The Falling Star is a being of light, a literal heavenly body, that banishes darkness. Veran is a being of darkness, a demonic fairy witch summoned from the Dark Realm, that seeks to banish light and smother the world in darkness, to create her Age of Shadow that she so covets.
As for her being the opposite of the Rolling Sea, that Essence is said to create a song that creates a crashing wave that sweeps heroes out to adventure. Veran silences that song by poisoning the sea and cursing the fairy queen who protects the seas of Labrynna with her evil magic. The poison takes the form of bubbles that imprison and block passage, and harm those who touch it. Instead of the sea sweeping heroes out to new adventures, it becomes a poisonous, imprisoning grave.
As for the Sacred Soil, which is said to bestow a nurturing warmth on all that sleeps in the earth, this one is probably a big stretch, but at one point it comes to Veran’s attention that trees bearing her bane, Mystery Seeds, flourish in Labrynna. One thing that’s notable is that Mystery Trees are extinct in modern Labrynna, so it is presumable that Veran was behind that.