8-bit Last Supper

I love a good Last Supper parody.

[Via Unreasonable Faith]

While searching for a full list of names for a few of the characters I didn't recognize on the far right I stumbled upon this page containing a treasure trove of Last Supper parodies. It's not completely up to date ( they didn't have the one from Lost) but it's got over 50+ parodies. Enjoy.

Mass We Pray: The Video Game

EA Games is at it again with another viral marketing campaign to promote their upcoming game Dante's Inferno.



I couldn't help myself from visiting their website after viewing this video. It's obviously fake, and when you click to pre-order the game a message pops up condemning you as a heretic.

He who betrays the beliefs of the Church blackens his soul with the sin of Heresy. A Mass not celebrated by ordained priests or on consecrated soil is naught but false ritual condemned by clergy. Thou hast befouled thine eyes with the filth of profane works and betrayed all things sacred. For thy punishment, thou shalt be damned to burn in flaming tombs and hanged from enflamed crosses. An eternity of infernal fire will not cleanse thee.

Entering your date of birth will allow you to watch an exclusive Dante's Inferno trailer. The trailer isn't all that different from the last one I posted earlier this month, but EA Games has pulled in over half a million views from this We Pray mock video. Unfortunately, Dante's Inferno is not being released for the Wii which wouldn't be able to handle the graphics and EA would have to design the game to be compatible with the Wii. Seems like a tongue-in-cheek jab at the Wii (only heretics would own a Wii) and at the Church to promote the game. EA also faked a protest at E3 2009 (the fake protest group, S.A.V.E.D, also set up a website) and ignited a bit of controversy with their "Sin-to-Win" Twitter contest by asking people to commit an act of lust. I have yet to hear of any official response from a religious leader or church condemning the game which would only result in throwing more fuel on the fire. The church's best course of action would be to ignore the game altogether, but then again how can you ignore two kids pretending to celebrate Mass.

"Quick! Baptize the sinners!"

Dante's Inferno Update

Back in March I wrote about a new game being developed by EA Games loosely based on Dante Alighieri's, Inferno. You play as Dante, a veteran of the crusades, seeking to rescue your lover Beatrice from the Devil. You have to travel down through the 9 circles of Hell battling all sorts of demons, monsters, and damned souls to save the woman you love. The following trailer is rated 18+ (it gets a bit graphic).



I guessed right on a few of the level bosses that have been confirmed so far: Cleopatra, 2nd Circle (Lust), and Cerberus, 3rd circle (gluttony), and of course Satan himself in the 9th circle. It is set for release on February 9, 2010.

The graphics look great, although all I have is a Nintendo Wii so just about anything on XBox 360 or PS3 is going to look great to me. But all the graphics, action, and intense gameplay in the world is not going to spare EA Games from controversy when they include demon babies with razor blades for arms. When it comes to video games and matters of faith, religion, and morality there will always be controversy. Although I thought it was clever for EA Games to fake a protest rally outside of E3 2009 earlier this summer.



"If you're going to kill a baby, you better make sure it's baptized first."

A Timeless Hero: Part 6- A Link to the Future

The Legend of Zelda first debuted in Japan on February 21, 1986 and after 22 years and over a dozen games later the franchise is still alive and well along with our timeless (and time traveling) hero, Link. The Legend of Zelda has captured the imagination of generations of gamers with its captivating storyline, mind twisting dungeons, and hours of battling the forces of evil as you watch Link transforms from a humble boy into a timeless hero chosen by the gods. But why did they choose Link? What does the future hold for this warrior-prophet? And what does Link represent not only to the people of Hyrule but to us? In this blog series I will analyze the religious and spiritual elements of The Legend of Zelda.

[A depiction of Link in the future. Will this be the new look of the Legend of Zelda Series?]

[Note: I am not a professional religious scholar but these are just my views on some of the symbolism I've noticed in the game series. I've focused on the plots in A Link to the Past, Ocarina of Time, Majora's Mask, Wind Waker, and Twilight Princess. I apologize if I've left anything out. Enjoy!]

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Part 6: A Link to the Future

Over 20 years ago a legend was born in the digital realm of a princess and a kingdom in peril. Since then it has spawned over a dozen titles and has earned an iconic rank in the Nintendo world second only to Mario. But what does the future hold for this timeless hero? Whatever plans Nintendo may have for Zelda, Shigeru Miyamoto, co-creator of The Legend of Zelda, has said that "Twilight Princess will be, without a doubt, the last Zelda game as you know it in its present form." Miyamoto and friends have been pretty quiet about the development of the new Zelda games that have been in development since the release of Twilight Princess. Back in March they did announce a new Zelda game for the Nintendo DS, The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks, still in development to be released late 2009.

[Screenshot from The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks, set for a late 2009 release.]

So what will be the big changes for the new Zelda Wii release? Well, there are plenty of rumors floating around with quite a few depicting the Legend of Zelda in a futuristic setting. For example, here's a clip that Wii tv created as an April Fool's joke back in 2007.



All of this got me thinking how the legend in Zelda would survive a transition from the mythical world to a modern scientific world? In the series, Link is surrounded and even communicates with the spiritual realm face to face (unless he's hallucinating, or dreaming, the entire time which actually is the plot to The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening) but how would the legend survive in a technologically advanced world? Most game players probably focus more on the game play than on any religious or philosophical content within the game, but the story is still the heart of the game as it draws and keeps the players hungry for a new Zelda title. It is the story that is timeless regardless of whatever symbols, items, characters, and challenges the game may use in retelling that story. In fact, except for a handful of elements that define the legend almost EVERYTHING changes in every Zelda title from the cast of characters and mode of transportation to your inventory of weapons and the enemies you battle.

At the core of the legend is a hero's journey and struggle from a humble beginning in his transformation into the savior of the world and the bane of evil. As Link begins his quest armed with no more than a puny sword and shield (and sometimes a handy slingshot), he grows stronger in courage, wisdom, and strength as he is molded into a true hero by the very challenges he overcomes. He is never ready from the get go to battle evil until his tests thoroughly transforms him into the representation of ultimate good. Once Link achieves this transformation in mind, body, and spirit he is prepared to battle Ganon. Two warriors strengthen by relics of the gods yet there lies a major difference. Ganon had stolen power his from the gods whereas Link has earned his through a grueling journey. It is this difference that gives Link the advantage to overcome Ganon and bring balance and harmony back to the land and the very reason why Ganon can never win with his ill gotten gain of divine power.

What can we as the player learn from this timeless legend? One interesting bit of information that I've read (but could not find a source to verify) is that the developers named the hero Link because he acts as a "link" between the player and the game. (Although I have also heard that his name is derived from the German word Linkshänder meaning "left-handed" which does make since because Link is prominently left-handed in the series.) The player experiences everything that Link does as he matures in courage, strength, and wisdom. And so the player also matures in these same attributes as he completes the game. Video games, especially role playing games, are just interactive stories where you complete certain tasks to move the story along. The Legend of Zelda is more than just a game, it is a game with a legend that can be told 1000 different ways so those who hear it, now or in the future, can grasp the meaning of the legend no matter how it's told. The legend of a boy from humble origins who defeats ultimate evil and rescues the land from darkness.

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Part 1-The Golden Goddesses
Part 2-The Triforce
Part 3-The Warrior Prophet
Part 4-He Who Split Time
Part 5-The Temples of Hyrule
Part 6-A Link to the Future

Or Click here to read them all back to back

A Timeless Hero: Part 5- The Temples of Hyrule

The Legend of Zelda first debuted in Japan on February 21, 1986 and after 22 years and over a dozen games later the franchise is still alive and well along with our timeless (and time traveling) hero, Link. The Legend of Zelda has captured the imagination of generations of gamers with its captivating storyline, mind twisting dungeons, and hours of battling the forces of evil as Link transforms from a humble boy into a timeless hero chosen by the gods. But why did they choose Link? What does the future hold for this warrior-prophet? And what does Link represent not only to the people of Hyrule but to us? In this series I will analyze the religious and spiritual elements of The Legend of Zelda.

[Note: I am not a professional religious scholar but these are just my views on some of the symbolism I've noticed in the game series. I've focused on the plots in A Link to the Past, Ocarina of Time, Majora's Mask, Wind Waker, and Twilight Princess. I apologize if I've left anything out. Enjoy!]

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Part 5- The Temples of Hyrule

In all of the Zelda games I've played (I have yet to play them all) Link's primary objective is dependent on him removing the evil infesting the holy places of Hyrule. Hidden inside every temple are holy artifacts that will empower Link on his quest to rid the land of evil. These temples were built Indiana Jones style so you can't just walk in, take the artifact and leave, you have to work your way through a maze of rooms which contain puzzles, traps, and deadly enemies. These Rubik cube temples were meant to keep the unworthy out.

Fortunately our hero always comes prepared. Link is required to reach a certain level of experience, worthiness, before walking into a holy place. His worth is his offering to the gods who do not let just any normal person waltz into the shrine, and those who do would not make it very far. Whether it's obtaining power through a new sacred artifact, led with wisdom by his spirit guides, or summoned by courage to save those in distress, Link is granted access to the holy only after proving his worth. These temples, although challenging in their own right, are but mere trials that will shape Link into the hero that Hyrule needs. In The Wind Waker, the King of Red Lions said it best when he said, "The key to defeating Ganon is locked away in a great power that you can wield only after much toil and hardship." Link embodies the courage needed, but has yet to attain enough wisdom and strength to wield the great power.

These temples are sometimes dedicated to a local deity or spirit that is sometimes tied to an elemental power. The Gerudos, an amazonian tribe of women who bear a single male every 100 years, worship at the Desert Colossus dedicated to the Sand Goddess (Din). It was also the secret base for Gannondorf and his followers before they took over Hyrule in The Ocarina of Time.

Though not all are used as houses of worship, some temples have been converted by the local populace for certain purposes yet are still considered holy. In Twilight Princess, the Gorons, a rock-like mountain dwelling race, have a large mining complex within their holy mountain where they mine out rocks and minerals for trade and food. These mines are still considered off limits to outsiders who must prove their strength in a sumo wrestling match, the Goron tribal pastime, yet these mines also house holy shrines. In Majora's Mask, the Great Bay Temple was converted into a water works factory that controls the temperature of the ocean's water. The temple is a vast labyrinth of gears and cogs which the hero must work his way through to lower the ocean's abnormally high temperature which is quickly poisoning the ocean's inhabitants. This "factory" temple has been integrated with nature as a balancing mechanism to keep the water's temperature at a certain level. Although it does seem like the Zoras, an aquatic fish-like race, are adapting nature for their survival this temple does allow for life to thrive in an otherwise hostile environment, and as the giver of life the temple should be considered sacred.

The Temple of Time is Hyrule's Temple Mount and its inner sanctum, which houses the Master Sword, the Holy of Holies. It is the gateway from this world and into the Sacred Realm, a spiritual plane which mirrors the land of Hyrule, where the Triforce resides. This temple is the nexus where all reality, including time, converges. The attributes of the gods (Strength, Wisdom, and Courage) flow from this temple and blesses the entire world. This place is the final test before entering the Sacred Realm. In the Ocarina of Time the hero collects three spiritual stones held by three races and offers a song worship to the gods. The Door of Time opens granting the hero access to the blade of evil's bane, the Master Sword. Only Hyrule's royal family, as acting high priests, hold these keys and the knowledge to enter the Holy of Holies.

[Zelda in the Temple of Time by deviantdoa. Find more art by deviantdoa here.]

This is where the three Great Goddesses manifests in its greatest glory, righteousness, and splendor. And like the other temples scattered across Hyrule, the Temple of Time was once the training ground in preparing the Hero of Time for his destiny. It is here where the hero himself traveled back and forth through time to complete his quest in defeating Ganon (Ocarina of Time).

The temples in Hyrule are more than just immense labyrinths, they are places of worship, a flowing source of life, and most importantly they shape the hero for his destiny. They stand as monuments to the people that good has prevailed over evil before, and whenever evil arises it will prevail again. They bring hope to every generation born into this world and songs and tales of hope are passed on long after the buildings crumble. The buildings themselves are not important but act as a symbol and a reminder that whatever the future may hold hope should never be lost.

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Part 1-The Golden Goddesses
Part 2-The Triforce
Part 3-The Warrior Prophet
Part 4-He Who Split Time
Part 5-The Temples of Hyrule
Part 6-A Link to the Future

Or Click here to read them all back to back

A Timeless Hero: Part 4- He Who Split Time

The Legend of Zelda first debuted in Japan on February 21, 1986 and after 22 years and over a dozen games later the franchise is still alive and well along with our timeless (and time traveling) hero, Link. The Legend of Zelda has captured the imagination of generations of gamers with its captivating storyline, mind twisting dungeons, and hours of battling the forces of evil as Link transforms from a humble boy into a timeless hero chosen by the gods. But why did they choose Link? What does the future hold for this warrior-prophet? And what does Link represent not only to the people of Hyrule but to us? In this series I will analyze the religious and spiritual elements of The Legend of Zelda.

[Note: I am not a professional religious scholar but these are just my views on some of the symbolism I've noticed in the game series. I've focused on the plots in A Link to the Past, Ocarina of Time, Majora's Mask, Wind Waker, and Twilight Princess. I apologize if I've left anything out. Enjoy!]

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Part 4-He Who Split Time

For those of you unfamiliar with the Legend of Zelda series, this post might be a bit confusing. For those who are absolute fans I hope you'll get something out of this, but let me start with a brief outline over the issue of time. The chronology of the games is a hotly debated issue among the hardcore fans and there are dozens of time lines and theories that you can get lost in them for hours. So you don't get confused just remember that these are just theories and that the games themselves have the final authority.

Most people agree that Ocarina of Time is the first game in the chronology. In Ocarina of Time, Link attempts to keep the evil thief Gannondorf from accessing the Sacred Realm. Link pulls the Master Sword from the pedestal of time which opens the Door of Time to the Sacred Realm. Unfortunately his very actions cause him to be sealed in the Temple of Time for 7 years while Gannondorf enters the Sacred Realm unabated. Link is kept there until he matures into an adult where he is awakened by Rauru, the sage of Light who informs Link that to stop Gannondorf he must awaken five other Sages. Throughout Ocarina of Time, Link travels back and forth through time to complete certain tasks. The Master Sword is described as "a ship with which you can sail upstream and downstream through time's river...The port for that ship is in the Temple of Time..." Once he defeats Gannon, the sages seal him up in the Sacred Realm and Zelda sends Link back to his own time.

Zelda:Link,
give the Ocarina to me...
As a Sage, I can return you
to your original time with it.

When peace returns to Hyrule...
It will be time for us to say
good-bye...

Now, go home, Link.
Regain your lost time!
Home...
where you are supposed to be...
the way you are supposed to be...

Zelda sends him back before Link originally opened the Door of Time. Now here comes the hassle with time travel. Anything related to time travel gives me a royal headache, but this is where the Split Timeline Theory comes into play. The Split Timeline Theory suggests that when Zelda sent Link back to his own time she created a parallel time stream. In the Adult Timeline Gannon is sealed in the Sacred Realm and sometime later, due to the absence of the Hero of Time, breaks out and the gods flood Hyrule to contain Gannon (The Wind Waker). In the Child Timeline, Link is returned to his childhood and warns the princess about Gannondorf's intentions and he is banished to the Twilight Realm (The Twilight Princess).

Ocarina of Time (Adult Timeline) --> The Wind Waker --> Phantom Hourglass

Ocarina of Time (Child Timeline) --> Majora's Mask --> Twilight Princess

Anyone lost yet? This is just dealing with 5 different games I won't even touch rest. My point being is that this one moment to reclaim Link's lost childhood has not only created a parallel time stream but now has created four different possibilities for the protection and salvation of Hyrule. Link's timeless spirit that arises when called can either fail or save Hyrule in both timelines. Without asking why the gods allowed this split in the first place, what makes Link so special to place the fate of Hyrule (even in parallel timelines) in his hands? What is it about Link that binds him to the land?

From controlling time, the weather, even summoning creatures Link is tied to the fate of Hyrule. He is a part of the land, and the land is a part of him. Whenever evil takes over the land his spirit senses this presence and rises to defend her. Link, the courageous orphan left to live among the forest children, sprouts and blooms whenever innocent blood is shed. It may even be that Link's eternal spirit is divine in origin, left behind like the Triforce, as the eternal guardian of the land. Every incarnation of Link's Spirit is the physical manifestation of courage rising up to challenge and to defeat evil. Maybe his spirit became eternally tied to the fate of Hyrule because of the time split, destined to repeatedly save Hyrule from evil until he fixes the split. (It would be fascinating to see a Zelda game where Link traverses throughout the different time periods to finally completely defeat Gannon once and for all) Even though Zelda was gracious enough to return Link to his own time maybe he wasn't meant to enjoy his childhood. Maybe he was meant to sacrifice his childhood so that he may save the world. Every hero must sacrifice something for the greater good. Link had several chances to settle down and raise a family, but he knew that if he did not answer the hero's call no one would have a future.

This ultimate sacrifice to give up ones life is found worldwide in traditions, myths, and religions throughout history. The most well known is that of Jesus, who also sacrificed his life to save the world. Right before his death he was insulted and dared him to step off the cross (Mark 15:25-32). This is beautifully illustrated in The Last Temptation of Christ by Nikos Kazantzakis where the Devil shows Jesus his life as it would be if he did step down from the cross. Near the end of his alternate life, Jesus realizes that he must die to save mankind and accepted his fate. Both Link and Jesus, raised in humble origins, chose to sacrifice their own lives to save the world and became heroes who split time.

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Part 1-The Golden Goddesses
Part 2-The Triforce
Part 3-The Warrior Prophet
Part 4-He Who Split Time
Part 5-The Temples of Hyrule
Part 6-A Link to the Future

Or Click here to read them all back to back

Salvation found in a Video Game?

Video games have come a LONG way from when I played them as a kid. I grew up with an original Nintendo and it's still stashed away back home at my parent's house. Growing up in a SDA home we had limitations on the activities my sister and I could do on the Sabbath. This was to encourage us to put away our daily activities and focus on God at least for one day. We had one NES video game we were allowed to play on the Sabbath called Exodus: Journey to the Promised Land. You played as Moses leading the Israelites out of Egypt while avoiding magicians and guards. Moses had the ability to "shoot glowing "W"s, which signify the word of God, to defeat enemies and remove obstacles." I don't remember ever getting past level 3 because of those multiple choice Bible questions I could never answer. Maybe I should have spent more time reading the Word instead of shooting it out of a staff.

As I said earlier, video games have come a long way. EA Games is coming out with a video game for the PS3 and Xbox 360 based on Dante Alighieri's, Inferno. I never read through the entire Divine Comedy myself. Finally, an action game where you can fight evil throughout the nine circles of Hell with amazing and breathtaking graphics! There might be some opposition by some Christian groups but I can't see why this wouldn't be a perfect game to get the Word out to teenage gamers that spend their lives in front of a tv screen 4-6 hours a day. I mean, once they get a taste of how horrible Hell can be they might be inclined to dust off the family Bible and give it a quick glance. If you visit the official website you have to enter in your birth date to verify that you're over 18 and after watching the trailer I understand why.

You play as Dante, not as the poet-philosopher but as a beefed-up veteran of the Crusades. You return to find your love, Beatrice, murdered and her soul kidnapped by Lucifer himself. Armed with Death's Scythe, you fight your way past guards, damned souls, and even "hordes of unbaptized demonic attack-babies (with blades for arms)..." to rescue your damsel's soul. (I wonder if Robin Williams will provide the voice.) My biggest question is who are they going to choose for the boss characters at the end of each level of Hell?

Here's my list on who I think should make the cut.

1. 1st Circle, Limbo: Socrates- How can anyone resist the chance to go one on one with this philosopher.
2. 2nd Circle, Lust: Cleopatra- Battling a seductress like Cleopatra (who allegedly slept with over 10,000 men) would be a challenging battle wrought with temptation to give up on Beatrice and stay with Cleopatra.
3. 3rd Circle, Gluttony: Either Cerberus who guards the gluttons, or a really really fat guy.
4. 4th Circle, Greed: Bernard Lawrence Madoff, hands down.
   
5. 5th Circe, Wrath: Refer to number 7
   
6. 6th Circle, Heretics: To avoid calling any religious leader a heretic they might just have a demonic creature as this level's boss.
   
7. 7th Circle, The Violent: Probably a beefed up version of Hitler, Gangis Khan, or some other military leader.
   
8. 8th Circle, Treacherous: Even though Muhammad might be the most obvious and a well known character in the eighth level Of Dante's Inferno I can't think of any video game developer who would mention him even as a background character. Careful EA Games don't make the same mistakes as others have in the past (see link below).
   
9. 9th circle, Hell's Gitmo: Cain, Judas Iscariot, and Satan himself.
   

Not a very impressive list, but of course EA should be careful with all this religious content flying around they might end up editing their game like Sony's Little Big Planet controversy. Dante's Inferno is set to release December 31, 2009 and to some it might be a great way to ring in the new year by hacking away at unbaptized demonic attack-babies. Before the religious groups get all uppity about another video game with religious content(and very possibly Bible characters other than Satan) they have to understand that this is a horror/action video game. It's made to be as gory, graphic, and as Hellish as possible so that they can sell copies. If anything the religious groups might be offended that this game paints them (or at least the Catholic church) in a negative light in regards to their views of Hell. This type of vivid imagery has been around since the foundation of the Catholic church and is similar to Hieronymus Bosch depiction of Hell in his triptych The Garden of Earthly Delights (which is a wild piece of artwork I mentioned in my last post).

Although, I'm not sure if the sequels Dante's Purgatorio and Dante's Paradiso would sell as well as Inferno.

"Quick hit the 'B' button to play your harp! Now hit 'A' to praise God!"

A Timeless Hero: Part 3- The Warrior-Prophet

The Legend of Zelda first debuted in Japan on February 21, 1986 and after 22 years and over a dozen games later the franchise is still alive and well along with our timeless (and time traveling) hero, Link. The Legend of Zelda has captured the imagination of generations of gamers with its captivating storyline, mind twisting dungeons, and hours of battling the forces of evil as Link transforms from a humble boy into a timeless hero chosen by the gods. But why did they choose Link? What does the future hold for this warrior-prophet? And what does Link represent not only to the people of Hyrule but to us? In this series I will analyze the religious and spiritual elements of The Legend of Zelda.

[Link and enemy from Legend of Zelda:Twilight Princess by StarShock12, 2006. More incredible fanart by StarShock12 can be found here and here.]

[Note: I am not a professional religious scholar but these are just my views on some of the symbolism I've noticed in the game series. I've focused on the plots in A Link to the Past, Ocarina of Time, Majora's Mask, Wind Waker, and Twilight Princess. I apologize if I've left anything out. Enjoy!]

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Part 3- The Warrior-Prophet

There have been several incarnations of our hero, Link, throughout the series and with each story one constant theme always remains; whenever darkness creeps into the land a hero is summoned. In each time period a new incarnation of Link's spirit arises to defeat the evil of his era. He is depicted as a Hylian boy with an age varying from pre-teen to late teens. The gods blessed the Hylians with magic-infused blood that endows them with physic powers, skills in wizardry, and it is also said that their long pointed ears allows them to hear messages from the gods. Thus Hylians, as protectors of Hyrule and messengers of the gods, are the acting priesthood for all the Hyrulians. Other races worship and at times receive messages from the gods, but only through the Hylian bloodline do warrior-prophets arise to challenge evil. These warrior-prophets have specific characteristics and missions they are sent to accomplish including:

• receiving visions and communicating with the spirit realm
• spirit guides accompanying the hero on his journey
• cleansing the holy temples of evil
  
• receiving ancient relics that will aid the hero in his quest
• sometimes being mentioned in prophecy
  
• having humble traits and origins usually raised in a small village
• completing their quest alone aided only by the grace of the gods
  

As I've mentioned in the previous posts whenever evil enters into the land of Hyrule a hero arises to combat it. Only once has a hero failed to appear which caused the gods to intervene and contain the evil until one did appear years later (back story to The Wind Waker). Evil creeps over the land releasing demonic, feral creatures while overtaking holy temples and turning them into dark and twisted dungeons. Through most of the series Link is destined to not only save Princess Zelda but the land of Hyrule. Dungeon after dungeon, monster after monster, trial after trial Link grows stronger, wiser, and more courageous over time. His trials prepare him for his battle with his main antagonist, Ganon, who is looking to conquer all of Hyrule with the help of the Triforce of Power.

Although Link must accomplish his quest alone he is helped by the Divine through spirit guides, revelations, and visions that guide and direct him. They communicate their will directly to him, at times telepathically, as his body and spirit rejuvenates at their holy fountains. In some games he is accompanied by a spirit guide. In The Ocarina of Time Navi, a blue fairy, is instructed by the Great Deku Tree to assist Link in his quest to stop Ganondorf. Tatl, a yellow fairy, keeps him company in a sequel after the time stream split, Majora's Mask. The King of Red Lions, a talking red sailboat with the head of a lion, guides Link and provides transportation across the Great Sea in the Windwaker. Another important character is Link's horse, Epona, who is named after a Celtic goddess of horses and is his mode of transportation in several games. An interesting note is that the Celtic goddess, Epona, and her horses may have acted as guides and escorts of the soul to the afterlife. All of these spirits may help Link in his quest but in the end it is Link that must strike the final blow.

During his quest the gods ask Link to acquire certain ancient and spiritual relics that will empower him with divine-like powers in exchange for restoring their holy temples. In each temple Link visits an evil presence resides inside which Link must remove and defeat to cleanse the temple. One could draw similarity to the synoptic gospel accounts of Jesus and the money changers where Jesus drives out the men extorting profit from worshipers while quoting Isaiah and Jeremiah,

My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations.—Isaiah 56:7

But you have made it a den of thieves—Jeremiah 7:11

Likewise, Link also drives out evil that has invaded a house of prayer and have stolen goodness, justice, and peace by poisoning the holiest sites of Hyrule.

The most important thing about our hero is his humble, yet courageous, character. It is because of the hero's character that they are chosen not because of their physical strength or sword skills. In fact our hero has very little or no combat training at all. His origins also echo his humble nature. Link, who appears to be an orphan, is shown being raised in small quaint villages. The villages are isolated from the rest of the world untouched by any sort of worldly corruption and temptation. It is here in his village where the hero is born, called, and begins his journey.

Link, our eternal hero, returns time and time again to defeat and cleanse the land of evil, returning peace and order to Hyrule. As long as evil exists Link's heroic spirit will never rest. Even as he delivers Hyrule from evil one sword swing at a time he is also cleansing the hearts and souls of Hyrule as a symbol of Courage, Strength, and Wisdom. Legends will be passed on generation after generation about the courageous actions displayed by the warrior-prophets sent by the gods. He is a reminder to the people that the gods still watch and care for them even through the darkest times. One day when all of Hyrule instill the hero's attributes into their hearts then maybe the gods won't need to send any more heroes to a land that doesn't need rescue.

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How did evil first enter Hyrule? Why is the first Link called the Hero of Time? What role does his legendary weapon, the Master Sword, play in the overall series and what relation does Link have with this ancient relic? In the next part of my series on the religious and spiritual elements of The Legend of Zelda I will be focusing on the first Link, the Master Sword, and his role as the legendary Hero of Time.

Part 1-The Golden Goddesses
Part 2-The Triforce
Part 3-The Warrior Prophet
Part 4-He Who Split Time
Part 5-The Temples of Hyrule
Part 6-A Link to the Future

Or Click here to read them all back to back

A Timeless Hero: Part 2- The Triforce

The Legend of Zelda first debuted in Japan on February 21, 1986 and after 22 years and over a dozen games later the franchise is still alive and well along with our timeless (and time traveling) hero, Link. The Legend of Zelda has captured the imagination of generations of gamers with its captivating storyline, mind twisting dungeons, and hours of battling the forces of evil as Link transforms from a humble boy into a timeless hero chosen by the gods. But why did they choose Link? What does the future hold for this warrior-prophet? And what does Link represent not only to the people of Hyrule but to us? In this series I will analyze the religious and spiritual elements of The Legend of Zelda.

[Note: I am not a professional religious scholar but these are just my views on some of the symbolism I've noticed in the game series. I've focused on the plots in A Link to the Past, Ocarina of Time, Majora's Mask, Wind Waker, and Twilight Princess. I apologize if I've left anything out. Enjoy!]

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Part 2- The Triforce

When the three Golden Goddesses had finished creating Hyrule they left behind a part of their essence creating the Triforce. The Triforce is a nearly-omnipotent sacred relic often known as the "Golden Power" which in the Sacred Realm, a parallel world or dimension, dwells at the point where the Golden Goddesses departed. Three smaller triangles known as the Triforce of Wisdom, the Triforce of Power, and the Triforce of Courage make up the Triforce each embodying the essence of their respective goddess. Within the game series the Triforce is found on statues, fountains, and on clothing but even though it may represent the balance and order created by the Divine it can still be wielded by evil.

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[Photo of the Hojo family crest in Kamakura, Japan]

When united, the Triforce allows one who touches it to make a wish that will last until they die or someone else claims the Triforce. However, if the one who finds it does not possess a balance of the three virtues it represents, the pieces will split into its three components and the finder will be left with the one which represents the characteristic they value most; the other two pieces will do likewise with two other characters "chosen by destiny". [Wikipedia]

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The Triforce itself does not have a choice as to who may wield it only as long as perfect balance is maintained. This balance of sacred power and the eternal conflict of good vs. evil are the main underlying themes in the series. Whenever that balance is disrupted and evil ravages the land the prophecies state that a hero, a warrior-prophet, will rise to cleanse and restore the lands, temples, and hearts of the citizens. Even though Link may only embody Courage at the beginning of his journey, by the end after facing many trials he has grown in wisdom and in strength (power). Thus he can only restore the lands of Hyrule only if he has perfect balance of the three attributes within himself. So where did the creators of the Legend of Zelda come up with such an iconic symbol as the Triforce?

The Triforce closely resembles the family crest of the Hōjō clan, a family of regents of the Kamakura Shogunate who ruled from 1203-1333. The Hōjō clan was known for fathering the spread of Zen Buddhism and Bushido, adopting Japan's first military code of law, and defying the Mongols. The first Hōjō regent, Tokimasa Hōjō (1138-1215), visited a cave at the Enoshima Jinja Shrine "dedicated to the dragon deity that has long been believed to be the guardian deity for fishermen". As Tokimasa prayed for his offspring's prosperity legend has it that the dragon appeared before him and granted his wish leaving behind three dragon scales which are the origin of the Hōjō crest. On a curious note the main object of worship at the Enoshima Jinja Shrine is three mythological goddesses. I do not know if the game creators based the Triforce on Japanese history and mythology but if so they used a perfect example of order and balance.

The Triforce also appears in mathematics as the first step in the fractalization of a triangle. The Sierpinski triangle

is a fractal named after the Polish mathematician Wacław Sierpiński who described it in 1915. Originally constructed as a curve, this is one of the basic examples of self-similar sets, i.e. it is a mathematically generated pattern that can be reproducible at any magnification or reduction.

Fractals, as well as most higher math, fly way over my head but from what I understand it is a geometric construction that is self-similar at different scales, meaning it will look exactly the same no matter what size it is viewed at. By zooming in on a smaller triangle within the fractal you have an exact replica of the Sierpinski triangle ad infinitum. What better symbol is there to represent the divine then a geometric shape that is reproducible at any magnification for infinity?

So what is the purpose of the Triforce? With their work done the Goddesses left behind a portion of their essence in the artifact as a guide to the intelligent life on the world of Hyrule. Safely residing in the Sacred Realm, the artifact beckons those from the outside world to seek it and in reward bestows the titles "The Forger of Strength, Keeper of Knowledge, and Juror of Courage" to the one worthy of the titles. The Goddesses do not directly intervene with their world and its inhabitants but through the Triforce they enable them to guide themselves using a portion of their power. Eventually the search for the Triforce turned to lust for power and greed and the king of thieves, Gannondorf, obtained the Triforce and made his wish. To protect themselves from Gannondorf's spreading evil the people of Hyrule along with the Seven Wise Men (or Seven Sages) forged a sword powerful enough to resist evil granted by the Triforce. Yet even this "blade of evil's bane" can only be wielded by someone pure of heart and strong of body.

The Triforce as a religious symbol represents the balance, perfection, and infinite presence of the Divine. The people of Hyrule surround themselves with this symbol knowing that the gods are watching over them. They teach their children to balance the attributes of the goddesses (strength, wisdom, and courage) so that one day if evil were to arise they might be called to protect their world. But who is this Hero mentioned in the Prophecies? Why even leave behind a relic so powerful that it might fall into the wrong hands? And will Hyrule always need this Hero to save them?

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In the next part of my series on the religious and spiritual elements of The Legend of Zelda I will be focusing on Link, what he represents, and his role as the hero destined to save Hyrule.

Part 1-The Golden Goddesses
Part 2-The Triforce
Part 3-The Warrior Prophet
Part 4-He Who Split Time
Part 5-The Temples of Hyrule
Part 6-A Link to the Future

Or Click here to read them all back to back

A Timeless Hero: Part 1- The Golden Goddesses

The Legend of Zelda first debuted in Japan on February 21, 1986 and after 22 years and over a dozen games later the franchise is still alive and well along with our timeless (and time traveling) hero, Link. The Legend of Zelda has captured the imagination of generations of gamers with its captivating storyline, mind twisting dungeons, and hours of battling the forces of evil as Link transforms from a humble boy into a timeless hero chosen by the gods. But why did they choose Link? What does the future hold for this warrior-prophet? And what does Link represent not only to the people of Hyrule but to us? In this series I will analyze the religious and spiritual elements of The Legend of Zelda.

[Note: I am not a professional religious scholar but these are just my views on some of the symbolism I've noticed in the game series. I've focused on the plots in A Link to the Past, Ocarina of Time, Majora's Mask, Wind Waker, and Twilight Princess. I apologize if I've left anything out. Enjoy!]

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Part 1- The Golden Goddesses

The Legend of Zelda owes part of its success to the richness of its in game mythology and legends. A pantheon of gods, magical creatures, relics, and heroes all make an integral contribution to the world of Hyrule. But every story has a beginning and this story begins with the creation of Hyrule. It is said that the three Golden Goddesses (Din, Farore, and Nayru) had come "before time began, before spirits and life existed" to create order out of the chaos that was Hyrule.

Din, the Goddess of Power, cultivated and shaped the earth with arms of fire. She molded and laid the foundation of the world. The elements of Earth and Fire are under her domain. Those that hold power and strength as their virtue pray to Din. She is worshiped as the Sand Goddess by the Gerudos, the desert dwelling, amazonian tribe that bears a single male every 100 years. As the goddess of Earth, Din may also be worshiped by the Gorons, a mountain-dwelling, rock-consuming tribe that uphold virtues of brotherhood, power, and physical strength.

Nayru, the Goddess of Wisdom, established the Laws of Nature, Science, and Wizardry with her divine Wisdom. She is associated with the element of Water and is worshiped as the Goddess of the Seas. The Zoras, a piscine humanoid race, personify Naryu's essence the best of all the races and may even worship Nayru at their underwater temples. Since she is the creator of the laws of time and space she is also called the Goddess of Time in Majora's Mask.

Farore, the Goddess of Courage, created all the lifeforms of Hyrule to uphold Nayru's Laws. She is associated with the element of Wind and is worshiped as the Goddess of Wind as mentioned in The Wind Waker. The Kokiri, a tribe of ageless young children ( similar to Peter Pan's Lost Boys) and the Deku, a plant-like race, are both associated and probably consider Farore as their patron goddess at the Forest and Wind Temples.

Even though the different tribes and races of Hyrule appear to be monolatrists the goddesses are still respected, recognized, and loved by the symbol they left behind when they created their world, the Triforce. I would like to note that elements of Shinto, Christianity, Islam, Manichaeism, and a wide variety of other religions can be found throughout the series. I do not believe the creators intended in inserting anything religious into the games, but they had created a mythology that bears resemblance to the mythologies in the real world thus touching upon certain spiritual truths. There are dozens of actual religious symbols that have appeared in the game series that I will touch on later. Even though the average gamer does not notice the subtle symbolism found within the game the basic themes of Good vs. Evil, Love, and Justice jump out of the screen.

The Creation of Hyrule

The Triforce binds the inhabitants of Hyrule as a symbol of love, compassion, and justice. The symbol is used as part of the royal family crest and is seen throughout Hyrule on monuments, temples, and tombs. One could even argue that the three goddesses are co-equal in a godhead similar to Christianity's theology of the Trinity. They are three distinct yet complementary beings that when together represent the highest level of perfection. The Triforce merely echoes this concept only when it remains in one piece.
If that perfection is ever broken then the prophecies state that someone worthy of restoring it to its original splendor will appear. Only someone who is pure of heart and embodies the attributes of the Goddesses can restore that perfection and bring peace and prosperity back to Hyrule.

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But what exactly is the Triforce? Where can one find this holy relic? What is its purpose? In the next part of my series on the religious and spiritual elements of The Legend of Zelda I will be focusing on the mysterious and much sought after relic of the gods, the Triforce.

Part 1-The Golden Goddesses
Part 2-The Triforce
Part 3-The Warrior Prophet
Part 4-He Who Split Time
Part 5-The Temples of Hyrule
Part 6-A Link to the Future

Or Click here to read them all back to back

How to reach Enlightenment through a Video Game?

I for one don't know much about mysticism and enlightenment (especially Kabbalah which gives me a headache just thinking about it) but I do find it very interesting. Which is why I was surprised to hear about a PS3 game in the works that deals with just that.



[Statement from the Official Website]

The Night Journey is a video game/art project based on the universal story of an individual mystic's journey toward enlightenment.

Visual inspiration for The Night Journey is drawn from the prior works of Bill Viola. Narrative inspiration comes from the lives and writings of great historical figures including: Rumi, the 13th century Islamic poet and mystic; Ryokan, the 18th century Zen Buddhist poet; St. John of the Cross, the 16th century Spanish mystic and poet; and Plotinus, the 3rd century philosopher. The interactive design attempts to evoke in the player's mind a sense of the archetypal journey of enlightenment through the "mechanics" of the game experience - i.e. the choices and actions of the player during the game.

The player's voyage through The Night Journey takes them through a poetic landscape, a space that has more reflective and spiritual qualities than geographical ones. The core mechanic in the game is the act of traveling and reflecting rather than reaching certain destinations - the trip along a path of enlightenment.

The game is being developed with video game technologies, but attempts to stretch the boundaries of what game experiences may communicate with its unique visual design, content and mechanics. The team has created a set of custom post-processing techniques for the 3D environment that evoke the sense of "explorable video," integrating the imagery of Bill Viola's prior work into the game world at both a technical and creative level.

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Other than the fact that I don't think the average gamer will play this game I can't see how this game will work. Most video games has the player move through levels to achieve goals or finish objectives. Although I have read that there will be some goals or levels to achieve before moving on the main objective of the game is to explore and reflect on what you explored. It is a very interesting idea but I don't know how it will sell in the market once it's released. It might have a small following of devoted players but I can't imagine kids getting psyched about reaching enlightenment in "The Night Journey".