Water Temple
from Zeldapedia, the Legend of Zelda wiki
| Water Temple | |
|---|---|
 Artwork of the Water Temple | |
| Location(s) | Lake Hylia |
| Game(s) | Ocarina of Time (1998) |
| Main Item | Longshot |
| Mini-boss(es) | Dark Link |
| Boss(es) | Morpha |
- "Link, this is a beautiful lake full of pure, clear water. At the lake bottom there is a Water Temple used to worship the water spirits. The Zoras are guardians of the temple."
- — Kaepora Gaebora
The Water Temple (水の神殿, Mizu no Shinden) is the third major dungeon of the adult-Link portion of the The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, and is where the Zoras pay homage to the water spirits.
Contents |
[edit] Story
Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.
The Water Temple is an underwater temple built by the Zora, presumably to pay homage to the water spirits and deities worshiped by the Zora race. Its entrance is located at the bottom of Lake Hylia, at the base of the largest island of the lake. The temple is one of five temples in Hyrule, built to house the Sage of Water. The Sage of Water is granted all powers associated with water and is tasked with protecting the Water Temple.
While Link was trapped within the Sacred Realm, Ganondorf, the King of Evil, froze Zora's Domain cursed the water temple with Morpha to prevent the Sage of Water from awakening. Consequently, a majority of the Lake's water drained, leaving a barren pit. When Sheik rescued Princess Ruto from beneath the ice of Zora's Domain, she immediately headed to the Water Temple to restore it.
After obtaining the Iron Boots and Zora Tunic, Link enters the Water temple and ultimately confronts Morpha. After its defeat, Princess Ruto awakens as the Sage of Water. Reluctantly putting their engagement on hold, Ruto gives Link the Water Medallion.
It is likely that the Water Temple came to be known as the Lakebed Temple before the events of Twilight Princess. Gradually, the walls of the area eroded, forcing the lake further down. The original entrance to the Water Temple likely eventually came to be at the surface of the water, requiring a new entrance at the bottom of the lake to enter the temple. The original entrance remained but was transformed into Lanayru's Shrine with its entry to the temple now blocked off. The Lake, no longer being able to be crossed easily, caused the need for the construction of the Great Bridge of Hylia.
Spoiler warning: Spoilers end here.
[edit] Dungeon
It is located beneath the waters of Lake Hylia at the base of the lake's largest mainland. The Water Temple is effectively a maze of chambers on five floors, some only accessible when the water of the temple is at a certain level. Part of the challenge of this temple is being able to raise and lower the water level effectively. The temple's main treasure is the Longshot. The Water Temple's Sage is Princess Ruto and its warp song the "Serenade of Water". The Water Temple has been called the hardest temple in the game due to its water puzzles which require the constant need of having to switch the Iron Boots in the menu and the water level of the whole dungeon, although the difficulty has been greatly decreased in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Master Quest. The difficulty of the dungeon results from a somewhat haphazard arrangement of puzzle groups. There is seemingly no relationship between one puzzle/room series and the next, and the player is forced to use guesswork and hope that he or she didn't miss a small key. The miniboss of the dungeon is the notorious Dark Link, a black shadow version of Link that mirrors his moves. The dungeon has a prominent theme of serpents or serpentine objects. Most pillars and ornaments have some sort of a serpentine design on them. The dungeons basement even has a section consisting of a long tunnel shaped like a curled serpent, with rapids and whirlpools swirling throughout.
[edit] Sage
[edit] Items
[edit] Enemies
[edit] Mini-boss
[edit] Boss
[edit] Theories
Theory warning: This section contains theoretical information based on the viewpoints or research of one or several other users. It has not been officially verified by Nintendo and its factual accuracy is disputed.
[edit] Temple Guardian
It is possible that the dragon-like statue found all over the Water Temple symbolizes the dungeon's patron deity. This statue is never mentioned, but it is seen quite often throughout the temple. Also, all of the other adult dungeons seem to have their own representations.
[edit] Lakebed Temple
Due to the similar structure and location, many believe that the Lakebed Temple from The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess and the Water temple are one and the same.
Theory warning: Theories end here.
[edit] Trivia
- As mentioned above, the Water Temple has been classified as the hardest temple in the game, largely due to the fact that you have to raise and lower the water level, go to rooms only to find you have to get through most of the temple to get to what you'll need later on in the temple, and the only weapons that are usable underwater are the Hookshot and the Longshot.
- The Water Temple can actually be played after the player acquires the bow and arrow from the Forest Temple, thus allowing the player to leave the Forest Temple for later.
- Due to a glitch in the game design, it is possible to enter and defeat the Water Temple very early in the game as young Link. It is more difficult to achieve due to young Link's lack of a Hookshot and Iron Boots, but it can be completed using various glitches.
