Most of us remember growing up playing The Legend of Zelda on our personal Nintendo Stations after school over the past few decades. The long-running video game series has had its fans emotionally invested in each new release since the first game was released back in 1987. Be it the main characters, the fearsome bosses, the memorable locations, or the legendary weapons and swords, every aspect of the game has captivated the audience and keeps them coming back to explore the world of Princess Zelda and Link again and again.
The weapons featured in the game series especially make the gameplay more exciting with each new release. The developers are constantly adding new elements and features to keep the players engaged and interested. However, a few weapons are synonymous with the world of Legend of Zelda, and The Master Sword leads the pack in this category. This epic game sword is so well-loved by Legend of Zelda fans that the master sword replica remains one of the top-selling items at most collectable-selling outlets.
THE MASTER SWORD
The Master Sword has a deep connection to the main protagonist, Link. The sword is often considered to be the most powerful and significant weapon in the Legend of Zelda series. The Master Sword has a distinctive appearance, featuring a blue hilt, a white blade with a fuller centre groove, and a gold or silver guard. Its design is instantly recognisable, not only to gaming enthusiasts but also to the cosplay world in general.
Calling the Master Sword a cultural icon would not be a stretch at this point. It has become an iconic symbol of the Legend of Zelda franchise and is one of the most recognisable video game weapons in the world.
THE ORIGIN STORY
The Master Sword is known by various names throughout the series, including "Blade of Evil's Bane,” “The Sword of Time,” and “Sword that Seals the Darkness.” It appeared in almost all releases of the Legend of Zelda and even made guest appearances in other games developed under the Nintendo banner.
In many iterations of the legend, the Master Sword is said to have been forged by the goddess Hylia, a deity worshipped in the world of Hyrule. Hylia is often depicted as a benevolent and powerful goddess who created the sword to aid in the battle against evil forces.
After its initial creation, the Master Sword is typically depicted as being tempered or imbued with the power of three goddesses: Din, Nayru, and Farore. These goddesses are also central figures in Hyrule's mythology and represent the forces of power, wisdom, and courage.
Now that we know the origins of the sword a little better, let's look at some of the amazing facts related to this powerful blade that makes it such a formidable and fan-favourite game weapon.
1. THE SPIRIT WITHIN
The guardian spirit that resides within the scared blade of Master Sword makes it a valuable commodity for the players in the game and a reverend collectable item for all Master Sword replica owners. The spirit Fi's journey from a sealed entity within the sword to a fully awakened and empowered guardian is a central narrative element that adds depth and emotion to the Legend of Zelda storyline.
The goddess Hylia entrusts the sword only to a worthy hero capable of using it to defeat evil forces. She was also the creator of Fi, the spirit and consciousness of the Master Sword. At the beginning of the game, the mighty sword makes its appearance as the Goddess Sword, an early version of the Master Sword. Fi, the spirit that had been sleeping for thousands of years in the blade, awakens when Link (our brave protagonist) draws the sword from its pedestal in the Sealed Temple. She recognises Link as the chosen hero and his sword as a potential vessel for the Master Sword's true power.
2. THE SWORD OF EVIL'S BANE
The Master Sword is also referred to as the Sword of Evil's Bane. It is renowned for its ability to overpower evil and is considered one of the strongest weapons in the series. Its legendary ability to repel, vanquish, and defeat evil forces, particularly the primary antagonist Ganon (or Ganondorf), makes it worthy of its honorary given name.
3. AWAKENING AND UPGRADES
As the famous comic-world saying goes, “With great power comes great responsibility.” The beholder of the Master Sword is also tasked with great missions before being able to wield the full might of the sword. In the Legend of Zelda universe, Link must undertake quests to awaken or upgrade the Master Sword's true power. This involves completing trials, collecting sacred flames, and fulfilling specific requirements before unlocking the full potential of the sword.
4. SEALING EVILS
Only a swordsman with purity of heart and courage can awaken the sword's ability to seal evil powers. Emitting a glowing aura to warn the bearer of nearby evil forces, it can repel and defeat malevolent forces when wielded by a worthy one.
In climactic boss battles, the wielder can cast sealing spells to weaken or immobilise the evil entity, allowing him to perform a sealing ritual. This ritual imprisons the evil entity, often in a sacred realm, a sacred artefact, or a different dimension, preventing it from causing further harm to the Realm of Hyrule.
5. ONGOING LEGACY
The Master Sword is also a vigilant prison guard and keeps a tight check on the dangerous prisoners kept within its sacred confines. And just like its vigilant guarding duties, its legacy also continues through each new Legend of Zelda release. The game story in every new iteration of The Legend of Zelda is quite self-contained. However, the Master Sword's legacy is often referenced and carried forward throughout the series. It is a symbol of continuity in the Zelda universe. For this reason alone, fans of Link and Princess Zelda have always held their Master Sword replicas close to their hearts.
