Symbology of Twilight Princess Texture Findings

In the Gamecube/Wii forum, Eralk Fang started a thread that displayed several textures that had been ripped from Twilight Princess by a graphics artist.

Now that we are able to view these intriqeing pictures, I was wondering what some of you may think about the symbology present. I want to bring this to the attention of forum members on the theorizing community in case that thread is somehow missed.

Twilight Princess Texture Findings

Actual links to pictures are featured in the thread. I would advise reading the rest of the discussion as well.

Originally Posted by Eralk Fang

For those of you that don't know, a texture is what goes on the 3D model of nearly anything you see in a video game. Recently, DONOTWANT from Facepunch Studios ripped over forty 3D models from Twilight Princess, textures included (source). I downloaded the set, and initially set out to finally get a decent shot of the back of Midna's helm, but found much more.

Hyrule

Golden Eye
The Sheikah eye Fanadi wears on her forehead.

Ghost's Shield Emblem
The emblem on the Hero's Spirit's shield.

Gossip Stone
The Gossip Stone design on the Howling Stone.

Shad's Book
The cover of Shad's book, which is usually obscured by his hand in the game. Bears an Oocca.

Zelda's Cross
And you thought Judeo-Christian influences were dead in Zelda. A cross amulet found in the texture file for Zelda's funeral shroud.

Back of the Mirror of Twilight
The design involves twin snakes, something representing a platform, and the dark circle in the middle, presumably, represents the Twilight Realm.

Twilight Realm

Twili Royal Crest
Found on Midna's clothing at the end of the game. Involves two snake-like beings, an eye symbol, and a sun symbol.

Twili Snakes
Snakes entwined around a gold disc, perhaps symbolizing the sun. Found on a minion of Zant's we don't seem to encounter in the game.

Twili Twin Snakes
A pair of snakes found on the helm of the Zant minions we face off against over and over again.

Usurper Markings
The markings on Zant's forehead; possibly a simplification of the Royal Crest for those who serve in the Household.

Eye of the Hand
The eye symbol on the palm of the hands guarding the Sols.

Zant's Helm
On the top left, are two eye symbols found on the back of Zant's helm; the bottom one bears three triangles on the lower eyelid, almost like the three triangles found on the top eyelid of the Sheikah symbol. On the top right, we have a rattlesnake coiled near a sun disc-like emblem. The bottom image is Zant's necklace, which makes up a face wearing a bright red forehead jewel; possibly denoting whom Zant served, Midna's predecessor.

Zant's Tabard
Detail of the Gerudo symbol found on Zant's tabard.


Midna's Eyes
And what I went in for, the eyes on Midna's helm. There are two. To compare with the Sheikah symbol... Midna's eyes aren't crying, and instead of the three triangular eyelashes (that probably reference the Triforce), Midna's eyes have three stubby lashes, attached to the eye. And eye symbols seem to be common in the Twilight Realm, so I'd consider it its own symbol before attaching it to the Sheikah.

Your thoughts?
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Thank you for starting this thread over here, Anslyn Siles! I'd just like to add that the Ghost's Shield Emblem is not the Hero's Spirit's shield, as I previously thought, but rather the shield emblem of an undead enemy. Thanks to Stuit for the model picture and correcting me. The symbol still seems intriguing to me, its three points similar to the three points of the Goron symbol or Sheikah symbol.

A point of interest. The back of the Twilight Mirror is appears to be based upon the Hyrule phoenix (the bird emblem that is the current symbol of Hyrule). The Triforce represents the head (as is the tradition) and the talons can also be seen. The wings have been replaced by the twin snakes that represent the Twilight Realm.

I would also go as far as to say the snake represents betrayal, and that it is why it used regarding the Twili, and why Zant looks snake-like.

The snakes seem to partake of Greek mythology a bit: note the double helix (Hermes, Hippocrates) and the two-headed snakes (amphisbaena).

As for that "undead enemy", are you sure that is not simply the soldiers who were pointing in Hyrule castle, Eralk Fang? Because I do not recall facing these guys with that Goron symbol knock-off.

They're probably the undead soldiers that surround Stallord during the first phase.

Originally Posted by Raian

A point of interest. The back of the Twilight Mirror is appears to be based upon the Hyrule phoenix (the bird emblem that is the current symbol of Hyrule). The Triforce represents the head (as is the tradition) and the talons can also be seen. The wings have been replaced by the twin snakes that represent the Twilight Realm.

I would also go as far as to say the snake represents betrayal, and that it is why it used regarding the Twili, and why Zant looks snake-like.

The snakes may have resembled betrayal when related to the Twili back in Hyrule, but the Twili seem have to reclaimed it (or feel completely justified in their betrayal), as it is incorporated into the Twili Royal Crest.

Originally Posted by HurriPen

The snakes seem to partake of Greek mythology a bit: note the double helix (Hermes, Hippocrates) and the two-headed snakes (amphisbaena).

I can see the double helix, but the Twili snakes are a pair; they have clearly defined tails in all their representation.

Originally Posted by HurriPen

As for that "undead enemy", are you sure that is not simply the soldiers who were pointing in Hyrule castle, Eralk Fang? Because I do not recall facing these guys with that Goron symbol knock-off.

I think LexLionHart is right. The Hyrulean Knights weren't dead, just the weird spirit form people turn into in the Twilight Realm. This begs the question; did an army have to come to try and kill Stallord, or did the Gerudo work alongside these soldiers as guards at Arbiter's Grounds?

The twin snakes only seem to intertwine on a symbol of one of Zant's messengers. To quote Traffic's brilliant theory:

Originally Posted by Traffic

The Caduceus' purpose was to ensure that the people maintained their faith in God. Now, look at Zant for one moment. Zant was a character deeply consumed by his own avarice and ambition, but he was also terribly weak. When all seemed hopeless, he directed his attention to his "God." This "God" was Ganondorf, and Zant's blind infatuation for him eventually would create his downfall. Now, think of the golden circle that the snakes ascend towards as that very same object that constituted Ganondorf in TP, that golden ball of fire. See a connection yet? There is no actual depiction of a poll on the face plate, but the symbolism is all too present. The Snakes ascend towards the golden circle, as they represent a higher power that is to be worshipped, in this case, Ganondorf.

Also, remember that Ganondorf and Zant are caught in an "immortal" bond. If one were to perish, the other could revive him. In this way, their fates interwine. Look at the Snake designs on the other Shadow Beasts. They do not ascend as they do on the other Shadow Beasts, but they are still connected with eachother.

Originally Posted by Eralk Fang

The Hyrulean Knights weren't dead, just the weird spirit form people turn into in the Twilight Realm.

The ghosts being referred to were not in the Twilight Realm, and were most assuredly dead. I'm pretty sure a piece of text related to the puzzles that involves them confirms this. As a point-of-interest, the secret graveyard in Hyrule Castle seems to have been one of the most thought-out rooms in the game, to be honest. I would love to see more compound puzzles in the same vein in future games.

Originally Posted by LexLionHart

The ghosts being referred to were not in the Twilight Realm, and were most assuredly dead. I'm pretty sure a piece of text related to the puzzles that involves them confirms this. As a point-of-interest, the secret graveyard in Hyrule Castle seems to have been one of the most thought-out rooms in the game, to be honest. I would love to see more compound puzzles in the same vein in future games.

Ah, thank you for correcting me. I still think Dead Guy is from Arbiter's Grounds, not the Castle sewers.

the eye on Fanandi was probably the all seeing eye in which it is by that she can read your fourtune.

The symbol on shads book looks like a bird in which refers to the sky being or occas.

the twili royal crest looks like ganon in beast form.

you see a lot of snakes on zants minions which probably means he likes snakes, I don't know what it means but according to the bible moses put a snake on his staff and all those who looked upon it was healed, which is why the medical logo is a snake on a staff, it could mean that for zant or it couldn't, I don't know.

the rest I don't have an educated guess on what they could mean.

Originally Posted by dynasty

the twili royal crest looks like ganon in beast form.

Can't be; Ganondorf was born after the Interlopers were locked away.

Originally Posted by dynasty

you see a lot of snakes on zants minions which probably means he likes snakes, I don't know what it means but according to the bible moses put a snake on his staff and all those who looked upon it was healed, which is why the medical logo is a snake on a staff, it could mean that for zant or it couldn't, I don't know.

Snakes are also found on the Twili Royal Crest and the back of the Mirror of Twilight, so they cannot be associated with Zant, but rather associated with Twili.

Originally Posted by Eralk Fang

Can't be; Ganondorf was born after the Interlopers were locked away.



Snakes are also found on the Twili Royal Crest and the back of the Mirror of Twilight, so they cannot be associated with Zant, but rather associated with Twili.

They are also present on the Fused Shadows (along with the eye symbols), which were defitely not created by Zant (in fact he seems to despise them as "inferior" to his "god's" power.

Yes. I think the entwined snakes around the sun disc are a specific symbol of Zants. Two snakes separated represent the Twilight Realm at peace, like in the Crest and on the throne; two snakes touching at the tail and breathing fire represent the Twilight Realm at war.

I wouldn't say the snakes refer to the "Twilight Realm", since the Fused Shadows and Twilight Mirror were made before the tribe was sent there. The symbol must be of the Twili's ancestors, either before they attacked Hyrule or afterwards.

Originally Posted by Eralk Fang

Ah, thank you for correcting me. I still think Dead Guy is from Arbiter's Grounds, not the Castle sewers.

You are probably right about the whole Arbiter's Grounds thing, but the pointing guys seem to confuse you.

Those living soldiers cowering in the sewers were not what I was talking about: I was talking about a puzzle you have to face before you get to fight Ganondorf. They point at safe paths. These pointing guys are also in the graveyard, signaling a hidden thing. They are much different and definitely dead, and cannot be seen in any form when you are human (only wolf).

Just wanted to clear that up for you.

Ah, thank you. I completely forgot about that puzzle. I'm having a very forgetful week...