The Elements of Zelda

In the Universe of Zelda, there are at least nine accepted elements that have sages, temples, and races: Fire, Water, Forest, Light, Shadow, Earth, Wind, Spirit, and Time. However, throughout the series, various other elements have been encountered, and given temples and races. So, in order to put everything in perspective, I've compiled a sort of reference table for the two kinds of elements, and the six elements in each kind:

Corporeal - Ethereal
Fire - Space/Nature
Water - Time
Forest - Shadow
Ice - Light
Earth - Spirit
Wind - Electric

I realize that Electricity really shouldn't belong in the Ethereal category, as it is a physical entity and not an idea or intangible power, but by the end I couldn't think of anywhere else to put it. I tried to make it so that every element had a temple (Space had the Temple of Seasons, Ice had the Temple of Ice, etc.), but the one element I had trouble with was, again, Electric. So what do you guys think, and if you find it acceptable, what do you think could be a good replacement for Electric, or any element, for that matter.

The temple of electricity was lanayru' mining facility that use electricity and technology. You can change electricity for technology as whole.

Originally Posted by tlozbj

The temple of electricity was lanayru' mining facility that use electricity and technology. You can change electricity for technology as whole.

I don't think electricity or technology were the key elements there. I think it was themed around decay over the ages and should be linked to time. The entire Lanayru province had references to it like the temple of time and the time crystals. The whole techno civilization thing was just a vessel to portray it imo.

Originally Posted by tlozbj

The temple of electricity was lanayru' mining facility that use electricity and technology. You can change electricity for technology as whole.

I originally had assumed this to be the only option, but I was wary because, to be fair, it isn't so much a temple or place of worship as it is a place to mine Timeshift Stones.

What about the sandship?

There was 1800 Technology in Majora's Mask, you do relize.

Originally Posted by DekuBro

There was 1800 Technology in Majora's Mask, you do relize.

Yes, but not technology that required the use of electricity.

Good Point. I was just pointing it out.

I actually think that you should just ditch electricity from your list. both dungeons featuring it were not, as you said, temples. It is mostly used in combination with other elements, to make for more interesting gameplay options. The element of combination mostly being time.
The combination time - electricity/technology is not limited to SS. It was also used in TP, where the temple of time featured a lot of mechanical puzzles, traps and enemies. (beamos, armos, blade traps etc.)
The tower of the Gods from the Wind Waker is in it's turn closely related to this 'mechanical' theme (not so much to time however)

Originally Posted by hoodedone

I actually think that you should just ditch electricity from your list. both dungeons featuring it were not, as you said, temples. It is mostly used in combination with other elements, to make for more interesting gameplay options. The element of combination mostly being time.
The combination time - electricity/technology is not limited to SS. It was also used in TP, where the temple of time featured a lot of mechanical puzzles, traps and enemies. (beamos, armos, blade traps etc.)
The tower of the Gods from the Wind Waker is in it's turn closely related to this 'mechanical' theme (not so much to time however)

I'd have to disagree. Just the mere fact that there was a Thunder Dragon and also electric-themed enemies and puzzles should mean something.

Same. also in MM the gears are electical.

Originally Posted by hoodedone

I actually think that you should just ditch electricity from your list.

Then what do you think I should replace it with? I've always been iffy about putting it there in the first place, and only did because of Lanayru the Thunder Dragon, but I wonder if there's a better option. I wouldn't mind rearranging it.

Only a few games have the element of eletricity.

Well, if you're going to nitpick, only a hand full of games have the elements of Ice, Spirit, Nature, or Wind, but they are nonetheless designated key elements in those games that they are in. Same with Electricity. It, like Ice and many others, does not have a sage, but it is displayed prominently in Skyward Sword as the main element of one of the three (not to mention the biggest) if the provinces. Beyond that, two of the dungeons, a deity, a race, and many enemies (many of which do appear in later games) are all electricity based. I don't mind criticism that is warranted, but I beg you to not argue for the sake of arguing alone. It makes me sad

Sure. Anyway, to elaborate a little on my original theory, I thought that each element should have an equivalent in the opposite category, as shown by the dash between them. On top of that, I thought that each element should have its opposite, which would be the element that can kill it/ be killed by it.
For example, Fire and Water, Ice and Forest, Light and Darkness, etc., etc. It can be a little forced at times, but I try to never do anything without at least a little justification from the games themselves.

It would sound like that, but as a little forced for a Zelda game?

Pardon? I can't quite understand what you are attempting to articulate to me presently.

The theory sounds a little forced or a little silly for Zelda, But I still like it.

Well thank you. Have a heart piece.
But seriously, I think that my theory is pretty fitting for the mood of games like SS, WW, and OoT, which do have the bulk of elements, sages, races, and temples. A running theme in WW is opposites; that for one thing, there is another. The Yin and Yang, a.k.a Taoism. But like the Tao, neither the Yin nor the Yang represent evil. Just difference. Even though Ganon is a master of the Shadow element, that doesn't mean darkness is the definition of evil; just look at Impa, or the entire Shiekah race for that matter. And just because many protagonists throughout the series use light, it doesn't mean it's all good. I think I've made my point though, but nice debate.
I salute you with an emoticon!

I do like your theory and how it is contracted to a few Zelda games. But it wouldn't fit for a couple Zelda games, But its still a pretty good idea when you think about it. I still like it though. Cheers for Good thinking!