- "White Wolf" redirects here. For the recurring enemy in the Zelda series, see White Wolfos.
Template:Character The Hero's Spirit,[1][2] also known as the Hero's Shade,[3][4] Ancient Hero,[2] Golden Wolf,[5] or White Wolf,[6] is an undead specter who appears in Twilight Princess and teaches swordsmanship to Link.
Biography
The Hero's Spirit is the Hero of Time from Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask, filled with regrets from being unable to pass on the "lessons of his life to those who came after him" after he was sent back in time to his childhood. He also lamented the fact that he was not remembered as a hero. In order to ease his regrets and finally pass on his knowledge, he teaches the seven Hidden Skills to his descendant, the Link from Twilight Princess.[7][8] In Hyrule, he appears as a Golden Wolf, who can be summoned by finding a Howling Stone, with the exception of the first time he is encountered, in which he appears to Link directly. Once a Howling Stone is found, the song has to be howled along with the Spirit. He then tells Link to take "sword in hand" and find him, implying that Link had to return to human form before searching for the wolf. The Golden Wolf will then appear on Link's map indicating his current location. When Link confronts the Wolf, it leaps through Link, transporting him into another world.[9] The wolf then transforms into a ghostly knight, the Hero's Spirit, who then teaches the Link one of the seven Hidden Skills.
Appearance
The Golden Wolf
In Hyrule, the Hero's Spirit takes the form of the Golden Wolf. It is a ghostly-looking wolf, glowing a golden yellow color. Like the humanoid form of the Hero's Spirit, the Golden Wolf's left eye glows red, while the right eye is missing.
Hero's Spirit
In the other world, the Hero's Spirit's form has bluish skin and a pallid, decaying appearance, with a skeletal face. His left eye glows red, while his right eye is missing. He carries a rusting Sword and Shield and wears an armor, which is covered with leaves in sections. He carries a scabbard belted to his waist. From the back, his armor appears to be filled with a ghostly mist, rather than flesh, and his torso is not connected to his legs. The humanoid form of the Hero's Spirit also resembles the spirits in the Hyrule Castle Graveyard.
Trivia
- The first song that Link howls in order to begin the quest of easing the Hero's Spirit's regrets is the "Song of Healing." He plays the "Song of Healing," then takes over the Spirit's powers and eases his troubles, causing him to pass on.[10] This is similar to how the Hero of Time used the "Song of Healing" in Majora's Mask.
- As the Hero's Spirit is an incarnation of Link, this marks the first time where Link has major dialogue that is not a result of the player's choice. This also marks the first interaction between two different Links.
Etymology
 Names in Other Regions 
| |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Language | Name | Meaning | |
 |
Japanese | 骸骨の戦士 (Gaikotsu no Senshi) 金色の狼 (Kiniro no Oukami) 勇者の亡霊 (Yūsha no Bōrei) |
Skeleton Warrior Golden Wolf Hero's Spirit |
 |
German | Goldener Wolf | |
 |
Italian | Lupo dorato | Golden wolf |
 |
SpanishEU | El Espíritu del Héroe Lobo Dorado |
The Spirit of the Hero Golden Wolf |
Gallery
- Hero's Spirit.png
The Hero's Spirit in a battle position
- Goldenwolf.jpg
The Hero's Spirit incarnated as a Golden Wolf
- Herospirit.jpg
The Hero's Spirit ready to teach Link a Hidden Skill
- TPHD Golden Wolf Howling.png
Howling Golden Wolf in Twilight Princess HD
The Golden Wolf in the ghostly ether realm in Twilight Princess HD
Wolf Link brought to a ghostly ether realm by the Golden Wolf in Twilight Princess HD
The Hero's Spirit Sword
- Hero'sSpiritConceptArt.png
Concept art
References
- ↑ Template:Cite book
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Template:Cite book
- ↑ Template:Cite book
- ↑ Template:Cite book
- ↑ "Call the golden wolf at howling stones. Your map will show where to learn a new skill." — N/A (Twilight Princess)
- ↑ Template:Cite book
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedHH - ↑ "Although I accepted life as the hero, I could not convey the lessons of that life to those that came after. At last, I have eased my regrets." — Hero's Spirit (Twilight Princess)
- ↑ "In that case, return to your world and train yourself further. When you are prepared, come visit me again." — Hero's Spirit (Twilight Princess)
- ↑ "Although I accepted life as the hero, I could not convey the lessons of that life to those who came after. At last, I have eased my regrets. . . . Farewell!" — Hero's Spirit (Twilight Princess)