When most people think of wisdom, what they’re really thinking of is usually book-smarts. Their mind is filled with images of bespectacled librarians pouring through piles of tomes stacked high to the point of almost toppling over. Moving past this cliché, the truly wise recognize that there are layers to this attribute. In their piece featuring Zelda from Skyward Sword and the goddess Nayru, Truffe demonstrates a deeper understanding of the quality most often associated with the princess.
Looking at Zelda, there are many interesting details to notice. She’s clothed in the pure white dress most often associated with her realizing and recognizing her role as the goddess Hylia. In the lower right corner, her hand that glows with the power of the Triforce of Wisdom holds the Goddess Harp. The inclusion of the harp is particularly interesting because Nayru is also often associated with the instrument, so an immediate connection is made between the girl and the goddess.
The most fascinating detail, aside from her freckles which are just too cute, is Zelda’s radiant smile. Despite all the troubles she faces over the course of her adventure in the wilds below Skyloft, she’s still grinning. Following her fall from the floating city, she has learned much. She has met Impa, learned of Demise and his looming resurrection, and discovered that she has a much larger role to play. It’s enough pressure to crush anyone, but Zelda is still smiling. Despite the struggle, she accepts her role, welcomes the help of Impa, and trusts that her friend, her Link, will come through for her. Her smile is a sign of her willingness to let go of what’s out of her control and to trust others to help her pull through. That is a sure sign of her wisdom.
Of course, Zelda is just one half of this pictorial puzzle. The Goddess of Wisdom, Nayru, floats ethereally behind the shoulders of the blonde seeker of knowledge. Nayru’s eyes are closed which, coupled with the positioning of her hands, calls to mind meditation. The practice of the art of meditation can often be a source of wisdom. It can relieve stress, allowing the user to calm themselves and attain a clearer view of the situations that may be troubling them.
Another interesting element of Nayru is her hair. In contrast to the roundness of Farore’s puff balls, the Goddess of Wisdom’s hair is quite angular, appearing almost like horns around her face. It calls to mind the scales of the dragon Naydra from Breath of the Wild who is also associated with wisdom.
Looking at the goddess’s locks from a different angle, we can see weaving around and through the hair at the top of the art is a thin white veil that almost looks like the foam that rests atop waves. This connection to the ocean implies that the angular structure of the strands may not be meant to remind us of horns but of the gills and fins of the Zoras, a race that Nayru is often associated with. The Zoras are often connected with wisdom, especially as it applies to craftsmanship and artistry.
Adding to the aquatic artistry of this piece, Nayru seems to be conjuring hundreds of tiny droplets of different sizes and shapes. There’s beauty to the shapes. They’re not all just the familiar teardrop iconography. There are rings and globules, some that seem fused together in the upper right, and others that are so small as to almost resemble tiny solar systems. Clearly the goddess’s use of water requires a tremendous amount of wisdom in order to be able to swish, swirl, and shape the most fluid of elements into the masterpiece shown in this art.
While books can teach you many things, they alone cannot make someone wise. Wisdom requires a willingness to accept that which is beyond you. Through this art, Truffe shows this by reminding us of the story of a resilient maiden from Skyloft who accepted her destiny but also knew that she could not fulfill it alone. Truffe doesn’t stop there though as their beautiful, complex portrayal of Nayru demonstrates other elements of wisdom. Sometimes you must slow down and take the time to clear your mind in order to find the best path. Perhaps in doing so, you may even find that you’re able to mold and shape the situation in ways you hadn’t seen before, turning your tangled troubles into an artful solution.
