Hiya, gamtos here. Thanks for the shoutout! I am loving the extra research that went into this, you really are a fantastic theorist. As a longtime follower of the channel I naturally clicked the video when I saw it pop up, and five minutes and three "that's what I'VE been saying!"s in, I checked the description and LEAPT two feet in my own kitchen. Really excited to see my work being shared to such a huge audience, and almost more excited to see the theory not only being made much more eloquent, but transcending my shabby base and growing into something new and larger. I feel an odd mixture of an ego boost along with a huge sense of humbling. On that note, click the link in the description to see a few more ideas I have about Fierce Deity that Zeltik understandably streamlined out of this theory. I go into further detail about who I think "created" the Fierce Deity Mask and who represents the middle happy mask child bearing Majora's Mask, and trust me, the answer WILL surprise you! Thanks to everyone who enjoyed the ideas expressed in the video, and I hope it helps everyone further in their own theories. I invite everyone to come jam out with us on the Zelda Universe forums sometime!
Hey thanks mate! I've read a lot of theories regarding the FD Mask, but your post really just placed all the pieces together perfectly. Brilliant read. Glad you enjoyed my take on the ideas you brought up! Yeah, for anyone reading, gamtos goes into a lot more depth than I covered here, especially regarding what Majora is. Check out the thread in the description!
I think there nay be another part to this just barely missed. The masks are filled with the memories of the people of Termina, I think that is 100% true, but there is another point that needs be considered that may have helped shape the mask. The Fierce Deity is how the people of Termina ended up viewing Link, thus allowing him to take on the form and power the people see him having from their interaction with them. After all, don't you think of someone highly after they've shown you a great kindness? That that act was so powerful and the deeds numerous enough, that their combind might conglomerates into this fearsome power, because the people see Link as someone with the power to defeat Majora.
I always liked the idea that the fierce deity comes from the inn grandma's story. The one that talks about Majora wreaking havoc and killing people, the giants stopping him with the song of healing, which turned him into Majora's mask and the people he killed collectively into the fierce deity's mask. That would explain why it looks like Link (because it's collective people who have no one face so it looks like Link when he owns it), why it's so powerful against Majora (it literally embodies the will of the people he killed for revenge, which in turn explains why its a "dark god" literally born of desire for vengeance), and has an in world explanation instead of symbolism. Not that symbolism isn't present, but it's also got an in world reasoning
"(because it's collective people who have no one face so it looks like Link when he owns it)" It's even better when you take into account why Link has the name he does: He "links" people together, that is the player and the game world, along with "linking" all the other NPCs together. The fierce deity mask is the ultimate physical symbol of his namesake.
While this is also a great theory, I don't feel your answer is necessarily more based on in-universe basis than mine. The words of the Gossip Stone, that the Fierce Deity Mask holds the merits of all other masks, can't be explained as easily by the events of the inn story. I also don't see my theory as being just symbolism. There's a real basis for feelings of gratitude and joy being converted to power. We see this with the Force Gems that power the Spirit Tracks, or the Gratitude Crystals that allow you to heal Batreaux in Skyward Sword. Ultimately I feel both theories still struggle with answering exactly what the scene on the moon is and how the Fierce Deity Mask was exactly created (or rather, who did it). In my thread (in the description) I reach into the idea of Termina having a fifth deity that would fit the symbolism of Fudo Myo'o in the center of the Four Giants, the child that sits under the tree. I think my idea of what this "fifth giant" is who ultimately converts the masks into the Fierce Deity Mask may surprise a lot of people.
Majorask mask is very deep and one of my favorite games. The fierce deitys mask is a methapor for your true adult potential, it is given to you by majora witch represent the internal corrupted hardened heart. The mask are mirros to your soul, because when you link or bond with people it mirrors back to yourself and shapes your own understanding. Only majora can give it you, because majora is your heart, you have overcome yourself, your own corruption and insecurities and can now save yourself and others. Majora is your corrupted mature potential for evil, the fierce deity is your mature potential for good, you have overcomed yourself. Skull kid is your Shadow persona that found out about his own evil potential (majorask mask hardened heart) in the lost woods, because when you lose yourself, there are great forces at play witch will shape your character to you and others for good or evil. It is jungian and archetypical, the room in witch you battle majora is psycedelic and shapeless in nature. I have alot more
@@tomdekler9280 I do wanna make clear that this was NOT my theory and I was paraphrasing. I don't claim credit for it at all. But you do have a good point, you do have a lot of in world explanation for your ideas too, sorry.
Link going out of his way to bring happiness to people he doesn't even know turns him into the strongest character throughout the Zelda timelines outside of the 3 Goddesses. Awesome
@SolsticE The 3 Golden Goddesses were not gonna go down to stop Demise since they pretty much left the planet. Hylia was left to watch over the Triforce. You're probably talking about her.
@SolsticE Yeah but they aren't on the planet anymore. Ocarina of Time makes it clear during the Great Deku Tree's monologue. Them leaving is how the Triforce is created
@SolsticE OoT outright tells you that they departed for the heavens and left the planet, and the point where they left was where the Triforce was created. They really only interfere once and by doing so essentially wiped out Hyrule
An interesting sub theory I've thought of is this: When referencing the five japanese Buddha's fierce Deities, the one independent of the four cardinal directions possesses a whip and a sword. Together with Majora and Fierce Deity Link they posses both of these weapons, each one representing an independent side of the same deity.
That’s pretty interesting. If the Fierce Deity is truly as bad as Majora, perhaps that is because it was made in the same way as Majora, creating an extremely dark brotherhood of two dark masks. Together, they are two different hands of the same all powerful being. It just so happens that in this instance, Majora goes too far into darkness and breaks the balance, and thus is corrected by the remaining hand, which is now bathed in the light.
Maybe there was once the Single 5th Spirit, but through the Dark Rituals we hear of about the Cult that used Majora's Mask that Single Spirit had all of it's Evil/Wrath split off and that either Became Majora's Mask or was absorbed into it. Leaving the other half of Pure Good/Happiness to Coalesce into the Fierce Deity after Link formed the Mask out of all the Good Memories, however even though it's considered the "Good Half" it's still Nothing But "Good" meaning it would be Incredibly Unbalanced and potentially Unstable or "Dark" as the power is referred to.
Also, the 4 giants that save termina also stem from the 4 cardinal directions and termina itself with links presence is Link going through multiple Samsara's, being able to live a new 3 day life each time the world resets but also able to gain and learn from each cycle.
This is really interesting! Maybe it's a similar case with the four giants? The endbosses being their dark sides, whom Majora gave power to corrupt their good nature, while Link helping them to overcome it?
If the fierce deity mask comes from everyone's prayers to be saved, then it makes sense to me that it'd look like Link. He's already been saving them in one way or another, so as they wish to be saved, his face probably came to mind. The little hero they've all met that helped them in some way.
This is really interesting. I wonder if there's meaning behind the fact that Link achieves enlightenment after giving up his most valuable worldly possessions?
@@thechosenfew5977 Oooh that's a lovely deep rabbit hole. The Skull Kid and Link both deal with similar feelings of abandonment by dear friends, and the way they cope with this is reflected by almost every aspect of the game.
But the masks themselves don't hold value outside of the three you cannot surrender to the children. So his most valuable worldly possession would be the Ocarina of Time that Zelda gave him. However without it the world ends so he cannot give it up. Perhaps the masks are used as an alternative? While not valuable, he cannot give up the device that saves the planet, so the moon children decide that the masks can be an alternative as the memories within them are just as valuable if not more so than the Ocarina
So, what you're saying is... The real Fierce Deity was the friends we made along the way? And it's powerful because friendship is the most powerful kind of magic there is?
I DEFINITELY can’t deny the basis and inspirations for the ideas of this theory. But to the Zelda lore itself I make a bit of a story for the events. And basically Termina was once a triforce land as well, but had it revoked when each of the candidates failed to fulfill their divine tasks. Majora was the chosen ruler but failed with the triforce of power. (Hence her seal being across the kingdom but the Stone Tower has much greater attention and likely her home base.) The Goddess of Time was the god chosen teacher for the people and failed with the triforce of wisdom. (Hence their reliance and constant prayers to her powers across the 3 days.) The Fierce Deity was the chosen protector and failed with the triforce of courage. Each leave behind traces of their existence so the triforce wasn’t revoked long enough for them to be entirely forgotten. (Plus the Ocarina of Time must’ve been made by said goddess.) So I like to believe that people prayed to the Fierce Deity instead of the Goddess of Time in the absolute last moments of the world since they all desired protection above all else of their futures.
@@Kaempfdog Yeah that's cool, many people have written similar stories or outright interpreted the game like this. People like cool characters more than cool transformations, that's always been the case. For that matter I'm sure you'll hate my interpretation of Dark Link 😁 long story short, I also think Dark Link isn't a character but rather just a series of unrelated temporary spells that create an evil doppelganger. Like, in Ocarina of Time, Dark Link is created from Link's reflection in the cursed water, hence why it is a Water Temple miniboss, while in Oracle of Ages Veran makes four Dark Links that don't look like the one in Ocarina of Time.
@@tomdekler9280 I used to think of Dark Link as a character. But I agree with that interpretation. Now granted due to his death being so much less final than every other boss in the game, I believe he’s still out there still copying information from different heroes and worlds and COULD come back as an actual character generations after his OoT appearance. That would be a cool route to take.
@@tomdekler9280 Also my story is a tad bit more thorough I abridged it for comment simplicity. I could bring it up if you choose. (And yes I also can’t deny I’ve seen theories like it, but I try going into the actual events themselves as that is often the least explored part rather than the system of how the world works.)
Huh, I've never considered the idea that the Happy Mask Salesman is actually a seller of Happy Masks, rather than a mask salesman who is happy. The whole notion of masks themselves being happy puts that into a whole different context.
Watching this made it click into my mind that as Link obtains the Fierce Deity Mask, he really is the definition of a bodhisattva. Since a bodhisattva is a being that could achieve enlightenment but delays it until all sentient beings are freed from samsara and achieve their own enlightenment, I think it’s fitting. While Link could defeat Majora with just the transformation masks, by delaying the final battle and resetting time (and so constantly going back into samsara) getting all the masks from all the townspeople and helping them in their troubles (and thus them finding peace or enlightenment), Link becomes the bodhisattva of Termina, culminating into the Kishin/Fierce Deity to defend the world from the evil of Majora. Loved this insightful video Zeltik!!
It's very appropriate that the Hero of Time would do this once more in Twilight Princess as the Hero's Shade. He couldn't move on until he trained the Hero of Twilight in all the sword techniques he knew, again showing that he is unable to rest while other people are not able to find peace.
@@Solibrae and then, with the Hero of Twilight finally killing Ganondorf for good (and no, Four Swords doesn't count, and never will), the Hero's Shade finally can move on, his work finally complete, and achieves his enlightenment.
Not a being, THE being. We are all a part of the Self. Everyone attaining enlightenment is when you wake up and realize that you were God asleep, and that you were dreaming of being everyone and everything in existence so that you would not be bored knowing all things. That is breaking the cycle of samsara
@@MidoriOfTheShuinsen is Four Swords the game where that Ganon steals a trident out of a Gerudo pyramid? If so then that one is a reincarnation, born into a new body after centuries and not the same Ganondorf but a continuation of Demise’s curse.
A funny thing about comparing the time loop to Samsara: Even if you fail abysmally and don't get the Ocarina on the first loop, the game is never over, it just begins again. It's only by collecting the ocarina once more and regaining the memories it symbolizes that you are able to retain/integrate your new discoveries from that point on. So each cycle is the accumulation of further and further integration with the world until you stand as the Fierce Deity, assuming you choose to stay for that long.
As a kid i never beat or played MM strictly because i didnt know how anything worked back then. Think my cartridge was bugged because 1 day cycle was only about 5 minutes long, so in 15 minutes the game was over. Had no clue you could use the song of time / ocarina
The Fierce Deity's armor is the coolest looking in the series. I love how the segments are clearly separated in the 3DS version. It's a very bronze-age style of armor. And the look of the gauntlets really compliment it.
That...would be so awesome. Like how it's Young Link's ultimate attack in Hyrule Warriors and his special attack while wearing the mask using the magic meter is to slice the moon in half after Skull Kid throws it at him.
I wish that they had made Young Link like Pokemon trainer where you cycle between the Deku, Goron, and Zora Masks and have Fierce Diety as a final smash.
I wouldn’t mind fierce deity link as his own character, as insane as that might sound. He’d probably end up getting his power scaled down like ganondorf did but I still think it’d be cool.
*Demise Appears* Zelda: Link you must defeat him! Link: *fumbles with his bag* Zelda: Link! Why are you getting that toy mask?! Fierce Deity Link: *Doom Music Plays* Demise: And that city burns and that forest burns! Fierce Deity Link: _Breathes_ Demise: *Starts disintegrating* Demise: I will end you! I curse this land! I will always reincarn- Fierce Deity Link: *Stabs* Demise: *Instantly dies*
TLoZ: MM is the most fascinating game I've ever played. It's so rich in subtext, hidden meanings, symbolism, and connections most people miss because they're so subtle at times. The only other game that shares similar mask themes is Persona 5. Too bad most people don't experience everything this game has to offer.
And this is the reason MM is my absolute favorite Zelda game. It has MEANING behind it, and I always feel like playing an interactive Creepy Pasta. And the bestest part of all is Fierce Deity anyways
If you like lore being presented to you in this way of storytelling then the Dark Souls trilogy and Bloodborne might be right up your alley as well. They're the games that made me appreciate and enjoy this type of storytelling and have given me a new appreciation for games like MM and videos like this one outlining the story for people. The only downside is that the style of games the Soulsborne games are may not suit everyone lol
I believe the fierce deity’s mask is links own regret, but the masks he collected slowly made that feeling of regret fade away, being able to give so much masks reminds him what good deeds he has accomplished and so giving them away works like the song of healing to him
I once heard a theory about the fierce deity that said the mask contains the memories of all the people in Termina that suffered and died by Majora in ancient Termina and in order to combat Majora thr people sealed their spirits in the mask to reap their revenge in Majora the evidence seems to be clear because Aonuma said himself the mask contains all the memories of the people in Termina but feel free to express your opinions on this
Hi, writer of the original theory from the description here. My idea is.... very similar, yet completely opposite! The idea that the Fierce Deity Mask holds the *merits* of all Masks is well established, thus I don't think the Fierce Deity Mask is filled with tortured memories. But all the same, I absolutely believe there is a mask that contains the negative emotions of a tribe long gone. The only hint to Majora's Mask's past is that it waa used by an ancient tribe for hexing rituals, and this tribe disappeared. Zelda's idea of power is simple; joy generates Force, a power of good, while hatred generates Malice. It's very Star Wars. I believe the hexing rituals caused Majora's Mask to be filled with negative emotions, and this caused the mask to gain sentience and consume the tribe that made it. In that sense, the Fierce Deity Mask and Majora's Mask are both born from memories, but on opposite sides of the spectrum.
@@anitamihholap5926 you must have a very busy day if you're gonna take the time to be sarcastic to every person that communicates clearly enough but not in the form you want them to. Enjoy your one punctuation mark because it's all you're getting
I believe the Fierce Deity mask contains basically all of the memories of happiness Link made throughout the different resets, but could never do in one timeline. Basically the FD mask is the manifestation of the "Perfect Timeline" aka 100% the game by getting all of the masks. Through the FD mask, this timeline becomes real thus making all of the sidequests canon afyer the fourth day.
This makes so much sense! I still kinda like the idea that Fierce Deity was Hylia’s first chosen hero, but I definitely think this video is more in line with what Nintendo intended
@@elli_senfsaat *Fanboying* Alm?? Leader of the Deliverance and King of Valentia?? (I really have to replay Shadows of Valentia it’s been years and one of my favorite 3DS games)
@@Joshyboy225 the one and only ;) My fav 3DS game is unsurprisingly Majoras Mask, but my fav Fire Emblem game is definetly Echoes. Partially bc Alm is left handed, like Link until he decided to be mainstream :v
So... in a way, Link`s actions towards peace and happiness have given him godhood, or the "Nirvana". Amazing. Interesting to see how these subtle themes of buddhism and other eastern centered faiths were present in the series long before the more recent titles like Skyward Sword and Breath of the Wild.
It's akin to how some Links have to take trials to prove they are worthy of obtaining pieces of the Triforce. In that way, the Fierce Deity Mask is very much a Termina's parallel of the Triforce.
Tbh I prefer the older games' more subtle approach. You gotta dig, but it IS there if you look hard enough. Zelda on the whole however, imo should remain a western-inspired fantasy first and foremost.
@@nillynush4899 even our "western" believes are mirrored everywhere. If you break it all down to the base ingredients, all our old tellings on this world could seem to have grown out of the same seed 🙃
I'm legit surprised that I had never heard of the Buddhist perspective/interpretation of Majora's Mask! Super insightful. Thanks for another lovely lore video!
Interesting, so the Fierce Deity isn't a separate individual, but a representation of Link chanelling the power of Termina's hopes into an ascended, spiritual form
Amazing video! To add to this, each of the areas in Majora's Mask represents each part of the wheel of samsara: Clock Town - Human Realm - Opportunities and possibilities Woodfall - Animal Realm - Survival, Instinct and Self-Preservation Snowhead - Hungry Ghost Realm - Neediness and Craving Great Bay - Demi-God Realm - Rage and Conflict Ikana Canyon - Hell Realm - Agony, terror, and depression Moon - Heaven Realm - Pleasure and beauty
They also correspond very well to the different human responses to grief: Clock town is denial, woodfall is anger, snowhead is clinging, great bay is depression, ikana canyon is regret, and the moon is acceptance. Honestly, the symbolism in this game is incredible. I don't usually find myself brought to tears over the story of a game, but watching the ending credits and seeing the Deku butler crying over his kid's corpse broke me. It's a testament to just how incredible of a work of art Majora's Mask is.
Videos like this are one of the many reasons I love this channel. I learned cool Zelda stuff with backed-up real-world evidence that teaches me a thing or two about cultures and ideas I am unfamiliar with. Thanks for making such a great video!
I remember a theory I made a long time ago about how the Fierce Deity Mask could be the result of the negative aspects of Link’s soul while in Majora’s possession, like anger, grief, and agony. When Majora/Skull Kid cursed Link, it hadn’t been long since he had done the same to the Deku Child. Majora used the soul of the Deku to transform Link while also taking away his soul in the process, a sort of soul transplant. When Link used the Song of Healing to purify himself, it removed the Deku curse, creating the Deku Mask, but it wasn’t powerful enough for his soul to overcome the dark will of Majora. It’s been shown that others are aware of the Song of Healing, and if the recipient of the Song of Healing isn’t willing to be healed by it’s magic, it cannot work. As Link works to free the Four Giants and solves the Terminian’s troubles, his strengthening soul and righteous resolve becomes increasingly difficult for Majora to contain. Eventually, Link became far too powerful, and Majora knew that he would lose in a direct confrontation with him. Majora, using the power of the Song of Healing, sealed Link’s soul within a new mask, and began to imbue it with the innermost conflicts in Link’s heart: his regrets of not being remembered as the Hero of Time, his anguish in constantly solving Termina’s troubles then seeing it all fall apart, his grief in never being able to find Navi the fairy after their fateful parting of ways. All of these would eventually tear Link apart from the inside, and Majora knew it. After playing ‘hide and seek’ in the form of the Moon Children to buy him the time he needed for the finishing touches of the plans of the Fierce Deity Mask, the child Majora presents it to Link. Link, not realizing the power sealed within the mask was the own darkness of his heart (and hence, the ‘bad guy’ Majora claimed the mask represented) uses it to claim a seemingly easy victory over the demon that had terrorized Termina for, in Link’s perspective, seemingly an eternity. With Link’s soul now returning to him after all this time, things went back to normal for a while, but the conflict within him would eventually resurface, driving Link to madness, although none in Hyrule could possibly know what was going on with him. Few believed his tales as the Hero of Time, having returned to his own time after defeating Ganondorf, even fewer would believe the tales of his time in Termina and his battles with the evil Majora upon returning to Hyrule. Eventually, upon his death, he would only be known as the cursed swordsman, with his legend dying with him, except maybe the Hyrulean Royal Family, recognizing his services in preventing Ganondorf’s takeover, would give him a burial in the castle’s courtyard.
The fierce deity looking like link is one of those mysteries (the best kind) where its not clear why the developers would choose it, even outside of lore and theory - I mean, often there's a very practical reason (like game mechanics) or an aesthetic reason (it's an arbitrary choice that looks cool, or is designed around gameplay over lore) but here it didn't seem like it made sense from a developer's point of view - the mask being literally anything else would have made as much sense, including a generic human face with the same makeup/tattoo design - but if the mask is an embodiment of the emotions of the people, then there's a very practical and lore-based reason that it looks like link - he's the one who is fighting on behalf of the people, having collected masks that embody their emotions - it isn't some random god that he is obtaining the powers of, he's gaining the ability to temporarily take on a god-like status on behalf of the people - it makes so much sense with that idea in mind - it feels less like a random and bizarre choice, or even an intentional mystery and instead feels like a very logical extension of the story
Killer theory. The emotions of all the Terminians being embodied in one mask has always been an intriguing development.. Emotions can be carried through objects in the Zelda series. It even seems that although the Hero’s Shade is confirmed to be OOT Link, it’s his regret - carried in the Triforce of Courage(reinforced by the Golden wolf) - that allows him to manifest to TP Link.
One of the best lores of Zelda, the FDL always had my mind gone into "he's a deity of the past Hero who lost everything and everyone, now using full power not to lose them again" but this is so detailed and specifial that makes me believe in the Fierce Deity's lore more; based on this video than in my own, thanks Zeltik, this video is awesome like the others, i hope we can watch more of your documentaries here, is fascinating~
This is probably one of the best well-crafted theories for Majora’s Mask and it makes a lot of sense story wise because I also believe that it fits with the theory that Termina is a dream world that mirrors the world of Hyrule from Ocarina of Time. I used to believe the Link is Dead theory that MatPat had but now that we have more info on Majora’s Mask that theory is disappearing thanks to Nintendo clearing up some of the misconceptions that were made in the past. I also believe that after Link receives enlightenment is when he decides to return to Hyrule, marry Marron and they both help form the farming village the Hero of Twilight starts in hence why Majora’s Mask comes before Twilight Princess in the Child timeline of the official Zelda timeline.
The Link is Dead theory is heavily influenced by the five stages of grief. I just now realized why this theory came up in the first place... We western fans didn't recognize the Buddhistic meaning behind all of this, we only saw the remaining things. And they're not about enlightenment, but lost and sorrow
I actually learned about the five stages of grief/death in some of my psychology classes but here’s now how I look at Majora’s Mask. Each area of the game signifies a problem that Link needs to solve which also includes the side quests in order to reach enlightenment and become a guardian or fierce diety of the people of Termina. I will say that I don’t believe in Buddhism since I’m a Christian but I can definitely tell that some of the things In Majora’s Mask were influenced by Buddhism and I think that’s what makes the game so intriguing.
You know i always forgot about marron... I always assume he married ruto... I figured it would be a good way to explain Twilights longer breath meter compared to Time... ... I think the zora appreciate what link does more than the other races of hyrule... With the exception of maybe the gorons
The idea that Link and four giants are based on 5 wisdom kings just blew my mind, it's so amazing that for a franchise that was created in this small country has this amazing community that spreads far wider beyond it. You guys always teach me what me as Japanese didn't even see
Fierce Deity Link is my absolute fav Link. He's a Creepy Pasta of his own in a game which is a Creepy Pasta. I wish this transformation appeared in more games... like, the true transformation. Not as a mere skin like in BotW or TFH I like this theory bc unlike most other "fantheories", it doesn't feel like a fanfiction. It doesn't make strange connections between MM and newer games and doesn't see meanings where there aren't. Really nice to watch and listen to!
I always liked the theory that Fierce Deity Link is to Link like how Hylia is to Zelda and Demise to Gannon. Like he’s the original form of Link from before the entire Zelda timeline started.
I’ve always thought that the Fierce Deity was Link’s original form, similar to Hylia and Zelda or Demise and Ganandorf. The reason his powers are dark in nature and Majora would refer to him as a bad guy is because they both at one point served Demise, but FD betrayed the Demons to stand with Hylia.
In my fanstory, Hylia (protective goddess of Hyrule) and Kishin (protective god of Termina) met in Hyrule, became friends, fought off monsters and demons until eventually faced Demise. Hylia died in battle, and so did Kishin after sealing Demise in one of Hylia's traps. Both where reincarnated as humans, and their bodies became the Fierce Deity mask and disintegrated into fairies respectively. Since Kishin died with the dark rage of not being able to revenge Hylia's death, FD is a being of vengeance
My idea is that Link's Spirit of the Hero just manifests as unwavering courage. It is rarely innate divine power that makes Link overcome issues, but rather his desire to help everyone and explore every nook and cranny that makes him powerful.
In my mind I've always thought the Fierce Deity was the very first hero OR Termina's hero. Once that hero obtained the triforce he --instead of sealing the evil away-- wished for power greater than his foe. Once his foe was beaten the power was too much for him and the goddess(es) sealed the power into a mask. Just some headcanon of mine since I was a kid. :)
It also really works well with the idea that the story of Majora's Mask is an introspective story for Link, having lost his purpose after going back in time after OOT. Link feels unfulfilled that he wasn't able to help people in his current timeline, so Majora's Mask is all about having the adventure and helping people that he couldn't in life. Achieving personal enlightenment and defeating his internal demons is a fitting climax to a sad story. It's about him getting over what he lost.
I like to think that the Fierce Deity itself is a personification of the collective population of Termina. Its power comes from their unfiltered emotions and that is why the Fierce Deity is considered dangerous, as people acting on emotions alone can make unwise and dangerous decisions. The Fierce Deity comes to look like Link because Link becomes a major influence on the population of the town, with his figure etched into their collective unconscious. As such, Link basically creates the Fierce Deity as we know it by becoming a positive influence and a symbol of kindness on the townsfolk, who become emotionally attached to him
Fantastic theory! Perhaps another reason the Fierce Deity's Mask looks like Link is because he is the archetypical Hero in all worlds where the Triforce is known. And the original builders of the Stone Tower Temple must've known of the Triforce since it's on the bottom of the movable statues there.
You talking about Buddhism made me realize again that, even though I don't follow any, I find religious beliefs very fascinating to hear about. Something so ingrained in humanity's various cultures is just interesting to me for some reason
After all, Buddhism originated from Hinduism which also specifies that one of the goddess' forms is one of WRATH to protect her children. Plus, Karma which is a Hindu terminology is like what Zeltik says where your consequences are reflected upon your actions throughout life and as a whole your spiritual body is an accumulation of all your lives and your TRUE form.
@@Yarblocosifilitico ehh they are kind of the same thing since religion reflects upon spirituality. If you read Hinduism, Krishna states that spiritually we should have a bit of desire but also have the acknowledgement of nature and everyone around you. It also specifies that each incarnation of Vishnu are a specific amount of him with Krishna being the Ultimate incarnation.
@@groudonor12 A religion is an organization with a certain power srtucture and dogmas that usually claims absolute authority on spirituality. Spirituality is the connection with nature that each of us would still have without any religion. One comes from the soul; the other, from the mind. Spirituality is universal and religions are just the many faces of that fact.
This...is probably the most thorough theory on what the FD is I've heard of. It's probably gonna become part of my headcanon from now on given how good it is.
Another thing to note is the a triangle appears on the breastplate of the fierce Deity which could represent the triforce of courage. So link gaining enlightment and becoming a wrathful God allows him to unlock the true power of the Triforce of courage why else would it be present on the armor.
In my theory found in the description, I go into how I do believe it symbolizes the Hero, but draw much further attention to the moon symbol on the other side, which I believe is the real reason behind Link's form and what created the Fierce Deity Mask.
I've always thought it was a previous incarnation of link specifically the first one, Hylia's chosen hero who had to have a glow up to be as strong as hylia and demise to beat demise, the hilt of the sword would be reused to make the master sword because the original would be too strong for any normal Hylian, and when it becomes the master sword it gets more abilities anyway
And the origin for the mask from the manga which although isn't necessarily cannon could still be the answer in the main series. Has majoras mask being forged by a Warrior who looks like a previous incarnation of link after killing after killing a invincible dragon so if this was the 1st hero before he transformed into the fierce deity to fight demise then it would be a nice parallel
Based off this, the Happy Mask Salesman is named so not because he’s consistently smiling, indicating he’s always happy. But because he sells literal masks of happiness. Something so small but it’s amazing how a detail so minor and easy to take for face value may have a deeper meaning.
It also refers to the "happy mask" that salesmen wear. The Happy Mask Salesman is reminiscent of the shopkeeper in Link's Awakening who always smiles and wrings his hands but will destroy you if you steal. The Happy Mask Salesman and Rupin from Skyward Sword both have this happy facade as well that occasionally gets broken in funny ways.
Great information! However, I would note that the other transformation masks don't transform Link's body entirely into the body of the soul within the mask. They all look a bit different from their original forms, like a fusion of Link and the soul. If the Fierce Deity doesn't have its own body, it would make sense to look like Link, since it's just a fusion of Link and divine power.
So glad you made a Fierce Deity video! It's one of the biggest mysteries in Zelda history! It would be awesome if you looked in to the history of Lorule from Link Between Worlds and what the future for it is like, and if we'll ever see it again.
I doubt it will ever happen but I would love to have the fierce deity mask come back. There is so many questions surrounding it that it could make for a interesting side legend/lore. Even if it something small like the stone monuments around Zora Domain with the lore with Ruto as the sage of water.
It's could be back as some kinda of sleeping , links power that wakes only after being prove as hero and receiving lot of gratitude and hope , after a tragedy .
I saw another video and the original post two years ago and was really excited to hear you covering this- because it really cemented a point about majora's mask that I love, and seeing someone as popular as yourself cover it makes me excited because now it'll become more common knowledge amongst the community. Originally stumbling upon the original theory made me view the game in a completely different way (especially after learning a bit more about buddhism myself) and so I'm really thankful you've made this video. Knowing how much care the devs went into portraying this concept and the thoughts and ideas behind it really makes this final moment of the game that much more special.
As someone that’s been studying Buddhism for a few years now, this is brilliant and tracks wonderfully! No doubt far more on the money than otherwise, I’d bet. One correction: A “Bodhisattva“ is someone on the path who has made the choice to shun/avoid entering into full enlightenment/Nirvana, until they have helped all sentient beings achieve it first. Someone dedicated to helping others walk the path.
considering how termina seems to be a dark parallel to hyrule (kinda like lorule) fierce deity could be a dark hero of old, or a villain defeated long ago.
The fierce deity's mask is definitely one of my favorite parts in the entire game, and it intrigued me to hell n back where it might have possibly come from and what it could ever mean. But now I'm sure this is the meaning of such a beautiful and awesome part of the story. Plus the ties to buddhism that are hinted really gave me a new perspective on the whole game, and I've been trying to decipher it for years now. Goddamn incredible video on the best game ever!!!!
This is the exact reason why Majora's Mask is my favorite Zelda game of all time. Sure, it's basically a theory - but I feel like no other game in the series got so much depth like this one. Great video and theory, Zeltik and gamtos!
While it's more than likely that the Fierce Deity takes on Link's form is because all of Termina's wishes for a hero acclimates into the hero they already had, Link, being turned into a god, I like to think that it's a version of Link himself who repeated the three day cycle into insanity and, even in death, will now do anything to destroy evil, if if that means becoming it, and the reason you can only use the Fierce Deity mask against the bosses is because that hatred peaks and manifests that power.
My theory about the Fierce Deity has always been: Throughout Majora's Mask we see counterparts to people from Hyrule. Anju is a counterpart to the cucco owner, Cremia and Romani are counterparts to Malon, the pirates are counterparts to the Gerudo, etc. I always thought that the Fierce Deity...was Link's Termina counterpart
That leaves the question, where is Zelda's counterpart? Ganondorf's? Impa? Rauru? The Kokiri? And having the mask as Link's counterpart doesn't actually answer anything yet, just raises more questions that everything we're told about the mask doesn't answer.
This is officially my favorite video done by you. I learned so much more about my real world than I expected from a video about a fantasy world. Well done sir! Keep up the superb content!
In lore I wonder if the Fierce Deity isn’t from before Skyward Sword. Skyward Sword Link is the first version of the hero, but what if he isn’t the first Link? Maybe Fierce Deity helped seal Demise. While the goddess Hylia decided to take on a mortal form she asked the Fierce Deity to come with her, in case she needed his help in the future.
I'm so glad to hear this theory. Fierce Deity Link Is one of the most intriguing and fascinating myth of the Zelda series. Here's my CRAZY theory: I've always thought that Fierce Deity Link is the true form of Link, just like Hylia is to Zelda, and Demise is to Gannondorf. FDL and Hylia may have fought together against Demise in the age of the gods, but by some event, FDL was corrupted with Demise's power of darkness, and Hylia had to seal FDL forever, until he reincarnated as a human (Perhaps Skyward Sword Link as an example). I like the idea that Link has ascended to Nirvana because, it can represent that the hero of time has been the only incarnation capable of using his true form and powers again.
Can I just say that I love this wild, intertwining Buddhism theory SO MUCH MORE than any attempt to connect this to any pre-established Zelda lore? This is how Zelda is at its best, better connected by grand ideas than by timelines and explicit history.
The best part is that it doesn't have to pick and choose. Link getting empowered by those he helps is bogstandard Zelda fare, established in lore time and time again.
This style of presentation reminded me very much of a school project, in a good way. Trying to find connections between interesting topics you love for people to understand.
I think there's a very big assumption going on near the end: "I don't think it's a stretch to assume that these four children wearing the boss mask represent the Four Giants, who were imprisoned within these same masks by Majora, who is obviously represented by the fifth child" I _really_ don't think that last bit is obvious at all. Why would the four boss masks represent the imprisoned ones, but Majora's Mask would represent itself? I think a far more likely candidate here is Skull Kid. The imagery strongly suggests at a group of cheerful friends playing a distance away from the center of the world, with a sad child in the middle who appears to be left out of the fun. This strongly mirrors the tale Granny told, in which Skull Kid was left at the center of the world while the Four Giants occupied the quadrants surrounding it.
I think the fact that the deity mask looks like an older wisened link indeed implies the fact that the deity is when link gives all his masks away and rejects taking majoras mask. Instead revealing his true face and the darkness he too holds within himself. All those memories throughout time. Him proving to skull kid that he is in fact just like him and can be just as cruel and unforgiving when pushed too far
Makes perfect sense that the leading warrior god, the main being that keeps out evil and crushes it under its boot, is Link. Considering that he's not only the carrier of the triforce of courage, but also considering his destiny and curse to continuously fight off Ganon for eternity.
Always excited to see a new deep dive. This was fascinating as it did answer some questions I had about the masks orgins. The connection to Buddhism was really interesting. Great job. 👍
It's a running theme of the Zelda series that happiness/gratitude constitutes some kind of sacred energy, 'Force,' which can be concentrated into physical form such as Skyward Sword's Gratitude Crystals, Spirit Tracks' Force Gems, or Phantom Hourglass's Sands of Hours. If the masks in MM are manifestations or vessels of gratefulness, of Force, and all of it goes into the FD mask, then it makes sense for it to be so powerful. Link is taking in the sacred energy of an entire nation into himself.
Wow, I have played through MM so many times and never considered that the mask salesman would have different dialogue options for each mask. Have to go boot up the 64 again and check it out. It amazes me how much you find out about the games that I had never seen or heard of before-not just theory-wise but gameplay! Thank you for all your hard work and dedication, another amazing video as always, great job!
I always liked how in the Majora's Mask manga the fierce deity is referred to as a wild God. As though it's a noble God that kills monsters. A sort of dark knight in God form.
Just beat Majora’s Mask for the first time last night and got the fierce deity mask. I did NOT expect Majora to be as easy to beat as it was with that mask. Great video, and it came out just in time to be meaningful for me lol
One thing I’ve always wanted to see, imagine Gannon in Hyrule castle saying he can sense Link coming, he tells some of his soldiers to prepare but he cuts his sentence short and turns over slowly and nervously saying “what was that?” then it cuts to the gates of Hyrule with Link putting the Fierce deity Mask on. Then Gannon summons every mini boss, boss, and high end npcs to fight Link all at once. In a desperate and scared manner.
This is a great dive into this. Love that you pulled in from the Japanese game, translation often looses meanings in stuff. Glad I found this channel as a huge Zelda fan. (Mainly Wind Waker and before)
My theory is that the reason the Fierce Deity looks like Link is that the spirit that the face is is that the spirit is Hylia's original chosen knight from before she became human. I think he, or part of him, might have reincarnated into a god in Termina. That, or he could just be Termina's version of Hylia, where the two of them swapped roles.
Your very best yet. A fantastic connection between Buddhism, and particularly Samsara, and Majora's Mask. I always felt the game had really profound, psychedelic undertones. This helps explain why. Great great work to both you and Gatmos
I like to think that this is a sort of alternate reality that Link has stumbled upon. In this reality the original hero took the power of the tri-force for himself. There was no reincarnations of Link, Ganon, or Zelda. The first Link became a “Fierce Deity” and changed the history of Hyrule forever, with Termina replacing Hyrule. Somehow a mystery hero/villain came along and sealed his power inside of a mask.
I feel weird: The version of the manga is quite nice, explaining the origin of the Fierce Deity and why it's so easy for him to overpower Majora. The game version of Fierce Deity is very different.
Finally someone is talking about this. Thank you Zeltik, great video. I was doing research on Buddhism a few days ago in order to better understand the story of Majora's Mask and I came to find not many people talking about the games connections with Buddhism. Again thank you for making this video and bringing it to more people's attention. I have been wanting something like this since 2015 when Majora's Mask 3D came out.
Here is my rather edgy / dark take on this item. The masks that you trade in are gifts from others out of gratitude and filled with happiness. And think about it. Essentially youre giving away things that were given to you out of gratitude and filled with joy for pure power. *This interaction is like a deal with the devil*. Not to mention the being who gives the mask itself to you is also wearing Majora's Mask. You're giving up the happiness and possessions of others for power. This is why the mask is described as having "dark powers" that are "as bad as Majora". They are two sides of the same coin. By wearing Majora's mask you sacrifice yourself for power. By wearing the fierce deitys mask you are sacrificing others happiness for power. This could also explain why you can only wear it in boss rooms and even the fishing hamlet. Link chooses to only unleash this power in an environment where the only thing it can destroy is evil or where it can be calmed down by tranquility. It also explains why the bosses become so easy when you use this. You may be able to enjoy the power rush of stomping those bosses into the ground but in the end it doesn't feel like an accomplishment. In part due to the fact that there wasn't a struggle or a hurdle you overcame but also because you can only do this once all the bosses had already been beaten. In the end by using this mask you get nothing but the fleeting rush of curb stomping something you had already beaten legitimately. So my conclusion is: Obtaining this item is the result of a dark deal with Majora himself. You give him incarnations of all the happiness you caused and in return he gives you power you can only use in hollow ways. Link however instead of being corrupted by the prospect like you chooses to limit it to places where he can control it (because he's just a good dude like that). So in the end the game is telling you: "Hey ! You just gave up the rewards from all the people you made happy like that ? Okay then, here have something that feels like it's worth it but it's acutally not"
For years, I’ve wondered if FD has any relation to Kabuki. The visual similarity is too striking to ignore. Additionally, red symbolizes heroism in Kabuki and blue is villainy, I think.
![[LIVE] : ONE ลุมพินี 88 | คู่เอก "ป้อมเพชร vs อัสลามจอน"](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/1ZqTVVbMgbo/mqdefault.jpg)
Hiya, gamtos here. Thanks for the shoutout! I am loving the extra research that went into this, you really are a fantastic theorist.
As a longtime follower of the channel I naturally clicked the video when I saw it pop up, and five minutes and three "that's what I'VE been saying!"s in, I checked the description and LEAPT two feet in my own kitchen.
Really excited to see my work being shared to such a huge audience, and almost more excited to see the theory not only being made much more eloquent, but transcending my shabby base and growing into something new and larger.
I feel an odd mixture of an ego boost along with a huge sense of humbling.
On that note, click the link in the description to see a few more ideas I have about Fierce Deity that Zeltik understandably streamlined out of this theory.
I go into further detail about who I think "created" the Fierce Deity Mask and who represents the middle happy mask child bearing Majora's Mask, and trust me, the answer WILL surprise you!
Thanks to everyone who enjoyed the ideas expressed in the video, and I hope it helps everyone further in their own theories.
I invite everyone to come jam out with us on the Zelda Universe forums sometime!
Hey thanks mate! I've read a lot of theories regarding the FD Mask, but your post really just placed all the pieces together perfectly. Brilliant read. Glad you enjoyed my take on the ideas you brought up! Yeah, for anyone reading, gamtos goes into a lot more depth than I covered here, especially regarding what Majora is. Check out the thread in the description!
I think there nay be another part to this just barely missed.
The masks are filled with the memories of the people of Termina, I think that is 100% true, but there is another point that needs be considered that may have helped shape the mask. The Fierce Deity is how the people of Termina ended up viewing Link, thus allowing him to take on the form and power the people see him having from their interaction with them. After all, don't you think of someone highly after they've shown you a great kindness? That that act was so powerful and the deeds numerous enough, that their combind might conglomerates into this fearsome power, because the people see Link as someone with the power to defeat Majora.
Aye gamtos I remember you from Zelda Universe back in 2017
@@LORDY_VEE I could never forget THE LORD VALORN 😁
I greatly enjoyed this one. Call me sappy but I like my dark media best when hope and kindness still matters in it. Fantastic work!
I always liked the idea that the fierce deity comes from the inn grandma's story. The one that talks about Majora wreaking havoc and killing people, the giants stopping him with the song of healing, which turned him into Majora's mask and the people he killed collectively into the fierce deity's mask. That would explain why it looks like Link (because it's collective people who have no one face so it looks like Link when he owns it), why it's so powerful against Majora (it literally embodies the will of the people he killed for revenge, which in turn explains why its a "dark god" literally born of desire for vengeance), and has an in world explanation instead of symbolism. Not that symbolism isn't present, but it's also got an in world reasoning
"(because it's collective people who have no one face so it looks like Link when he owns it)"
It's even better when you take into account why Link has the name he does: He "links" people together, that is the player and the game world, along with "linking" all the other NPCs together. The fierce deity mask is the ultimate physical symbol of his namesake.
While this is also a great theory, I don't feel your answer is necessarily more based on in-universe basis than mine.
The words of the Gossip Stone, that the Fierce Deity Mask holds the merits of all other masks, can't be explained as easily by the events of the inn story.
I also don't see my theory as being just symbolism. There's a real basis for feelings of gratitude and joy being converted to power. We see this with the Force Gems that power the Spirit Tracks, or the Gratitude Crystals that allow you to heal Batreaux in Skyward Sword.
Ultimately I feel both theories still struggle with answering exactly what the scene on the moon is and how the Fierce Deity Mask was exactly created (or rather, who did it).
In my thread (in the description) I reach into the idea of Termina having a fifth deity that would fit the symbolism of Fudo Myo'o in the center of the Four Giants, the child that sits under the tree.
I think my idea of what this "fifth giant" is who ultimately converts the masks into the Fierce Deity Mask may surprise a lot of people.
Majorask mask is very deep and one of my favorite games.
The fierce deitys mask is a methapor for your true adult potential, it is given to you by majora witch represent the internal corrupted hardened heart.
The mask are mirros to your soul, because when you link or bond with people it mirrors back to yourself and shapes your own understanding.
Only majora can give it you, because majora is your heart, you have overcome yourself, your own corruption and insecurities and can now save yourself and others.
Majora is your corrupted mature potential for evil, the fierce deity is your mature potential for good, you have overcomed yourself.
Skull kid is your Shadow persona that found out about his own evil potential (majorask mask hardened heart) in the lost woods, because when you lose yourself, there are great forces at play witch will shape your character to you and others for good or evil.
It is jungian and archetypical, the room in witch you battle majora is psycedelic and shapeless in nature.
I have alot more
@@tomdekler9280 I do wanna make clear that this was NOT my theory and I was paraphrasing. I don't claim credit for it at all. But you do have a good point, you do have a lot of in world explanation for your ideas too, sorry.
Read the Last chapter from the manga.
Link going out of his way to bring happiness to people he doesn't even know turns him into the strongest character throughout the Zelda timelines outside of the 3 Goddesses. Awesome
And he was already strong as hell as an adult Hero of Time
@SolsticE Yeah bro that is major cap lmao
@SolsticE The 3 Golden Goddesses were not gonna go down to stop Demise since they pretty much left the planet. Hylia was left to watch over the Triforce. You're probably talking about her.
@SolsticE Yeah but they aren't on the planet anymore. Ocarina of Time makes it clear during the Great Deku Tree's monologue. Them leaving is how the Triforce is created
@SolsticE OoT outright tells you that they departed for the heavens and left the planet, and the point where they left was where the Triforce was created. They really only interfere once and by doing so essentially wiped out Hyrule
An interesting sub theory I've thought of is this:
When referencing the five japanese Buddha's fierce Deities, the one independent of the four cardinal directions possesses a whip and a sword. Together with Majora and Fierce Deity Link they posses both of these weapons, each one representing an independent side of the same deity.
That’s pretty interesting. If the Fierce Deity is truly as bad as Majora, perhaps that is because it was made in the same way as Majora, creating an extremely dark brotherhood of two dark masks. Together, they are two different hands of the same all powerful being. It just so happens that in this instance, Majora goes too far into darkness and breaks the balance, and thus is corrected by the remaining hand, which is now bathed in the light.
Maybe there was once the Single 5th Spirit, but through the Dark Rituals we hear of about the Cult that used Majora's Mask that Single Spirit had all of it's Evil/Wrath split off and that either Became Majora's Mask or was absorbed into it. Leaving the other half of Pure Good/Happiness to Coalesce into the Fierce Deity after Link formed the Mask out of all the Good Memories, however even though it's considered the "Good Half" it's still Nothing But "Good" meaning it would be Incredibly Unbalanced and potentially Unstable or "Dark" as the power is referred to.
Also, the 4 giants that save termina also stem from the 4 cardinal directions and termina itself with links presence is Link going through multiple Samsara's, being able to live a new 3 day life each time the world resets but also able to gain and learn from each cycle.
@@-libertyprimev1-902 Or maybe perhaps the evil of Majora was too great to rein in and was instead ripped from the left hand that sought to bind it
This is really interesting! Maybe it's a similar case with the four giants? The endbosses being their dark sides, whom Majora gave power to corrupt their good nature, while Link helping them to overcome it?
If the fierce deity mask comes from everyone's prayers to be saved, then it makes sense to me that it'd look like Link. He's already been saving them in one way or another, so as they wish to be saved, his face probably came to mind. The little hero they've all met that helped them in some way.
It reminds me a little of how the Master Sword works: It’s powerless without the prayers of mortal sages, despite being of divine origin.
This‼️💯💯💯
This is really interesting. I wonder if there's meaning behind the fact that Link achieves enlightenment after giving up his most valuable worldly possessions?
Prolly he broke the cycle by giving himself quite literally and won the greatest power because of it
Navi
@@thechosenfew5977 Oooh that's a lovely deep rabbit hole.
The Skull Kid and Link both deal with similar feelings of abandonment by dear friends, and the way they cope with this is reflected by almost every aspect of the game.
But the masks themselves don't hold value outside of the three you cannot surrender to the children. So his most valuable worldly possession would be the Ocarina of Time that Zelda gave him. However without it the world ends so he cannot give it up. Perhaps the masks are used as an alternative? While not valuable, he cannot give up the device that saves the planet, so the moon children decide that the masks can be an alternative as the memories within them are just as valuable if not more so than the Ocarina
So, what you're saying is... The real Fierce Deity was the friends we made along the way? And it's powerful because friendship is the most powerful kind of magic there is?
Is that a fairy tail reference?
Well yes, but actually no
I wore a shirt that said "I went to Cabo and all I got was this shirt" and my grandma basically told me what you commented lol
kinda yes
"My friends are my power!"
-Sora, Kingdom Hearts
This interpretation of what the Fierce Deity Mask is, is way more wholesome than I was expecting, honestly.
No need to add more edge to the game ;D
I DEFINITELY can’t deny the basis and inspirations for the ideas of this theory. But to the Zelda lore itself I make a bit of a story for the events. And basically Termina was once a triforce land as well, but had it revoked when each of the candidates failed to fulfill their divine tasks. Majora was the chosen ruler but failed with the triforce of power. (Hence her seal being across the kingdom but the Stone Tower has much greater attention and likely her home base.) The Goddess of Time was the god chosen teacher for the people and failed with the triforce of wisdom. (Hence their reliance and constant prayers to her powers across the 3 days.) The Fierce Deity was the chosen protector and failed with the triforce of courage.
Each leave behind traces of their existence so the triforce wasn’t revoked long enough for them to be entirely forgotten. (Plus the Ocarina of Time must’ve been made by said goddess.) So I like to believe that people prayed to the Fierce Deity instead of the Goddess of Time in the absolute last moments of the world since they all desired protection above all else of their futures.
@@Kaempfdog Yeah that's cool, many people have written similar stories or outright interpreted the game like this.
People like cool characters more than cool transformations, that's always been the case.
For that matter I'm sure you'll hate my interpretation of Dark Link 😁 long story short, I also think Dark Link isn't a character but rather just a series of unrelated temporary spells that create an evil doppelganger.
Like, in Ocarina of Time, Dark Link is created from Link's reflection in the cursed water, hence why it is a Water Temple miniboss, while in Oracle of Ages Veran makes four Dark Links that don't look like the one in Ocarina of Time.
@@tomdekler9280 I used to think of Dark Link as a character. But I agree with that interpretation. Now granted due to his death being so much less final than every other boss in the game, I believe he’s still out there still copying information from different heroes and worlds and COULD come back as an actual character generations after his OoT appearance. That would be a cool route to take.
@@tomdekler9280 Also my story is a tad bit more thorough I abridged it for comment simplicity. I could bring it up if you choose. (And yes I also can’t deny I’ve seen theories like it, but I try going into the actual events themselves as that is often the least explored part rather than the system of how the world works.)
Huh, I've never considered the idea that the Happy Mask Salesman is actually a seller of Happy Masks, rather than a mask salesman who is happy. The whole notion of masks themselves being happy puts that into a whole different context.
It did make the Ocarina of Time people happy. Makes sense
Majora's mask will always have some of the best lore
Imagine if Majoras mask never existed, but was thought of and made today instead of breath of the wild.
@@kennyowensby3 that'd be so cool
@@kennyowensby3 Imagine majora's mask with today's graphics. The moon would be terrifying
@@rysea9855 ikr and the overworld could be kinda like botw in a way, idk and the graphics would look so awesome
Majora is GOAT
Watching this made it click into my mind that as Link obtains the Fierce Deity Mask, he really is the definition of a bodhisattva. Since a bodhisattva is a being that could achieve enlightenment but delays it until all sentient beings are freed from samsara and achieve their own enlightenment, I think it’s fitting.
While Link could defeat Majora with just the transformation masks, by delaying the final battle and resetting time (and so constantly going back into samsara) getting all the masks from all the townspeople and helping them in their troubles (and thus them finding peace or enlightenment), Link becomes the bodhisattva of Termina, culminating into the Kishin/Fierce Deity to defend the world from the evil of Majora.
Loved this insightful video Zeltik!!
It's very appropriate that the Hero of Time would do this once more in Twilight Princess as the Hero's Shade. He couldn't move on until he trained the Hero of Twilight in all the sword techniques he knew, again showing that he is unable to rest while other people are not able to find peace.
@@Solibrae and then, with the Hero of Twilight finally killing Ganondorf for good (and no, Four Swords doesn't count, and never will), the Hero's Shade finally can move on, his work finally complete, and achieves his enlightenment.
Not a being, THE being. We are all a part of the Self. Everyone attaining enlightenment is when you wake up and realize that you were God asleep, and that you were dreaming of being everyone and everything in existence so that you would not be bored knowing all things. That is breaking the cycle of samsara
My friends are my power!
@@MidoriOfTheShuinsen is Four Swords the game where that Ganon steals a trident out of a Gerudo pyramid? If so then that one is a reincarnation, born into a new body after centuries and not the same Ganondorf but a continuation of Demise’s curse.
A funny thing about comparing the time loop to Samsara: Even if you fail abysmally and don't get the Ocarina on the first loop, the game is never over, it just begins again. It's only by collecting the ocarina once more and regaining the memories it symbolizes that you are able to retain/integrate your new discoveries from that point on. So each cycle is the accumulation of further and further integration with the world until you stand as the Fierce Deity, assuming you choose to stay for that long.
As a kid i never beat or played MM strictly because i didnt know how anything worked back then. Think my cartridge was bugged because 1 day cycle was only about 5 minutes long, so in 15 minutes the game was over. Had no clue you could use the song of time / ocarina
The Fierce Deity's armor is the coolest looking in the series. I love how the segments are clearly separated in the 3DS version. It's a very bronze-age style of armor. And the look of the gauntlets really compliment it.
For a 6th Super Smash Bros video game anytime soon, Deity Link should be Young Link new final Smash attack as his transformation.
That...would be so awesome. Like how it's Young Link's ultimate attack in Hyrule Warriors and his special attack while wearing the mask using the magic meter is to slice the moon in half after Skull Kid throws it at him.
I wish that they had made Young Link like Pokemon trainer where you cycle between the Deku, Goron, and Zora Masks and have Fierce Diety as a final smash.
Should have been Young Link’s final smash
Yo that's straight up awesome
I wouldn’t mind fierce deity link as his own character, as insane as that might sound. He’d probably end up getting his power scaled down like ganondorf did but I still think it’d be cool.
Frankly, if Link had the "Fierce Deity" mask in any game, I'd love to see a stand alone 'Fierce Deity Link' spin-off game
as long as we get a stealth action game starring sheik too
@@kingleonidas6352 any sheikah-style stealth game has to be good... ya know skyrim is actually stupidly close to that already
Demise Would Be SCREWED And Zelda Would Be SHOCKED 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
*Demise Appears*
Zelda: Link you must defeat him!
Link: *fumbles with his bag*
Zelda: Link! Why are you getting that toy mask?!
Fierce Deity Link: *Doom Music Plays*
Demise: And that city burns and that forest burns!
Fierce Deity Link: _Breathes_
Demise: *Starts disintegrating*
Demise: I will end you! I curse this land! I will always reincarn-
Fierce Deity Link: *Stabs*
Demise: *Instantly dies*
God of Termina: Moonfall
I need a count of how many times zeltik has said "gives link the power of a dark god"
@@zzzzo00o yes!
14
And how many times the Face Shrine music is used throughout the videos
Take a shot every time he says it
He says it in the "who is the strongest Link" video too
TLoZ: MM is the most fascinating game I've ever played. It's so rich in subtext, hidden meanings, symbolism, and connections most people miss because they're so subtle at times. The only other game that shares similar mask themes is Persona 5. Too bad most people don't experience everything this game has to offer.
And this is the reason MM is my absolute favorite Zelda game. It has MEANING behind it, and I always feel like playing an interactive Creepy Pasta. And the bestest part of all is Fierce Deity anyways
Same is true for OOT actually
If you like lore being presented to you in this way of storytelling then the Dark Souls trilogy and Bloodborne might be right up your alley as well. They're the games that made me appreciate and enjoy this type of storytelling and have given me a new appreciation for games like MM and videos like this one outlining the story for people. The only downside is that the style of games the Soulsborne games are may not suit everyone lol
Most of the reasons people missed all this stuff in this game, is because they played this game when they were a child.
Didn't think I'd see a Persona 5 reference here.
Or rather
I never saw it comiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiing
I've always loved the fierce deity mask's transformation form, always wondered where it came from
Now you know. Wait does he find out? Just started video.
@@felixmckinney7132 in a way, yeah! It's interesting.
I believe the fierce deity’s mask is links own regret, but the masks he collected slowly made that feeling of regret fade away, being able to give so much masks reminds him what good deeds he has accomplished and so giving them away works like the song of healing to him
I once heard a theory about the fierce deity that said the mask contains the memories of all the people in Termina that suffered and died by Majora in ancient Termina and in order to combat Majora thr people sealed their spirits in the mask to reap their revenge in Majora the evidence seems to be clear because Aonuma said himself the mask contains all the memories of the people in Termina but feel free to express your opinions on this
Hi, writer of the original theory from the description here.
My idea is.... very similar, yet completely opposite!
The idea that the Fierce Deity Mask holds the *merits* of all Masks is well established, thus I don't think the Fierce Deity Mask is filled with tortured memories.
But all the same, I absolutely believe there is a mask that contains the negative emotions of a tribe long gone.
The only hint to Majora's Mask's past is that it waa used by an ancient tribe for hexing rituals, and this tribe disappeared.
Zelda's idea of power is simple; joy generates Force, a power of good, while hatred generates Malice. It's very Star Wars.
I believe the hexing rituals caused Majora's Mask to be filled with negative emotions, and this caused the mask to gain sentience and consume the tribe that made it.
In that sense, the Fierce Deity Mask and Majora's Mask are both born from memories, but on opposite sides of the spectrum.
Interesting, but... Ever heard of punctuation marks?
@@anitamihholap5926 you must have a very busy day if you're gonna take the time to be sarcastic to every person that communicates clearly enough but not in the form you want them to.
Enjoy your one punctuation mark because it's all you're getting
@@tomdekler9280 wow, you just went ten times edgier than I ever could. All I meant is that it's easier to read with some commas.
I believe the Fierce Deity mask contains basically all of the memories of happiness Link made throughout the different resets, but could never do in one timeline. Basically the FD mask is the manifestation of the "Perfect Timeline" aka 100% the game by getting all of the masks. Through the FD mask, this timeline becomes real thus making all of the sidequests canon afyer the fourth day.
This makes so much sense! I still kinda like the idea that Fierce Deity was Hylia’s first chosen hero, but I definitely think this video is more in line with what Nintendo intended
It's always nice to see a theory about my favorite mask!
…. Are we twins? 😦
* fangirl gasping *
There are TWO OF YOU?!? D:
@@elli_senfsaat *Fanboying*
Alm?? Leader of the Deliverance and King of Valentia?? (I really have to replay Shadows of Valentia it’s been years and one of my favorite 3DS games)
@@Joshyboy225 the one and only ;)
My fav 3DS game is unsurprisingly Majoras Mask, but my fav Fire Emblem game is definetly Echoes. Partially bc Alm is left handed, like Link until he decided to be mainstream :v
So... in a way, Link`s actions towards peace and happiness have given him godhood, or the "Nirvana". Amazing.
Interesting to see how these subtle themes of buddhism and other eastern centered faiths were present in the series long before the more recent titles like Skyward Sword and Breath of the Wild.
It's akin to how some Links have to take trials to prove they are worthy of obtaining pieces of the Triforce. In that way, the Fierce Deity Mask is very much a Termina's parallel of the Triforce.
If you haven't, look into the Good Blood video about Ocarina of Time and shinto
Tbh I prefer the older games' more subtle approach. You gotta dig, but it IS there if you look hard enough. Zelda on the whole however, imo should remain a western-inspired fantasy first and foremost.
@@nillynush4899
Why should it?
It's a japanese game, made by japanese people.
@@nillynush4899 even our "western" believes are mirrored everywhere. If you break it all down to the base ingredients, all our old tellings on this world could seem to have grown out of the same seed 🙃
I'm legit surprised that I had never heard of the Buddhist perspective/interpretation of Majora's Mask! Super insightful. Thanks for another lovely lore video!
Your comment got liked 69 times.
“hmm i wonder what this mask actually is”
*solves the entire games deep hidden meaning*
The Fierce Deity is simply Link himself, imho. Not some mysterious being, it's a manifestation of what Link becomes in order to vanquish evil.
Interesting, so the Fierce Deity isn't a separate individual, but a representation of Link chanelling the power of Termina's hopes into an ascended, spiritual form
That’s cool.
No. The "Fierce Deity" is equivalent to the Atavism of the Mazaku in the anime Yu Yu Hakusho.
See my series "Zelda is Satanic."
@@scintillam_dei Hmm, technically Zelda is pagan mixed with some Western ideas of Good and Evil. You could say celtic, like the channel name.
Amazing video! To add to this, each of the areas in Majora's Mask represents each part of the wheel of samsara:
Clock Town - Human Realm - Opportunities and possibilities
Woodfall - Animal Realm - Survival, Instinct and Self-Preservation
Snowhead - Hungry Ghost Realm - Neediness and Craving
Great Bay - Demi-God Realm - Rage and Conflict
Ikana Canyon - Hell Realm - Agony, terror, and depression
Moon - Heaven Realm - Pleasure and beauty
They also correspond very well to the different human responses to grief:
Clock town is denial, woodfall is anger, snowhead is clinging, great bay is depression, ikana canyon is regret, and the moon is acceptance.
Honestly, the symbolism in this game is incredible. I don't usually find myself brought to tears over the story of a game, but watching the ending credits and seeing the Deku butler crying over his kid's corpse broke me. It's a testament to just how incredible of a work of art Majora's Mask is.
Videos like this are one of the many reasons I love this channel. I learned cool Zelda stuff with backed-up real-world evidence that teaches me a thing or two about cultures and ideas I am unfamiliar with. Thanks for making such a great video!
Amen to that brother!
I remember a theory I made a long time ago about how the Fierce Deity Mask could be the result of the negative aspects of Link’s soul while in Majora’s possession, like anger, grief, and agony. When Majora/Skull Kid cursed Link, it hadn’t been long since he had done the same to the Deku Child. Majora used the soul of the Deku to transform Link while also taking away his soul in the process, a sort of soul transplant. When Link used the Song of Healing to purify himself, it removed the Deku curse, creating the Deku Mask, but it wasn’t powerful enough for his soul to overcome the dark will of Majora. It’s been shown that others are aware of the Song of Healing, and if the recipient of the Song of Healing isn’t willing to be healed by it’s magic, it cannot work. As Link works to free the Four Giants and solves the Terminian’s troubles, his strengthening soul and righteous resolve becomes increasingly difficult for Majora to contain. Eventually, Link became far too powerful, and Majora knew that he would lose in a direct confrontation with him. Majora, using the power of the Song of Healing, sealed Link’s soul within a new mask, and began to imbue it with the innermost conflicts in Link’s heart: his regrets of not being remembered as the Hero of Time, his anguish in constantly solving Termina’s troubles then seeing it all fall apart, his grief in never being able to find Navi the fairy after their fateful parting of ways. All of these would eventually tear Link apart from the inside, and Majora knew it. After playing ‘hide and seek’ in the form of the Moon Children to buy him the time he needed for the finishing touches of the plans of the Fierce Deity Mask, the child Majora presents it to Link. Link, not realizing the power sealed within the mask was the own darkness of his heart (and hence, the ‘bad guy’ Majora claimed the mask represented) uses it to claim a seemingly easy victory over the demon that had terrorized Termina for, in Link’s perspective, seemingly an eternity. With Link’s soul now returning to him after all this time, things went back to normal for a while, but the conflict within him would eventually resurface, driving Link to madness, although none in Hyrule could possibly know what was going on with him. Few believed his tales as the Hero of Time, having returned to his own time after defeating Ganondorf, even fewer would believe the tales of his time in Termina and his battles with the evil Majora upon returning to Hyrule. Eventually, upon his death, he would only be known as the cursed swordsman, with his legend dying with him, except maybe the Hyrulean Royal Family, recognizing his services in preventing Ganondorf’s takeover, would give him a burial in the castle’s courtyard.
Thats pretty fúcking deep man
The fierce deity looking like link is one of those mysteries (the best kind) where its not clear why the developers would choose it, even outside of lore and theory - I mean, often there's a very practical reason (like game mechanics) or an aesthetic reason (it's an arbitrary choice that looks cool, or is designed around gameplay over lore) but here it didn't seem like it made sense from a developer's point of view - the mask being literally anything else would have made as much sense, including a generic human face with the same makeup/tattoo design - but if the mask is an embodiment of the emotions of the people, then there's a very practical and lore-based reason that it looks like link - he's the one who is fighting on behalf of the people, having collected masks that embody their emotions - it isn't some random god that he is obtaining the powers of, he's gaining the ability to temporarily take on a god-like status on behalf of the people - it makes so much sense with that idea in mind - it feels less like a random and bizarre choice, or even an intentional mystery and instead feels like a very logical extension of the story
Killer theory. The emotions of all the Terminians being embodied in one mask has always been an intriguing development.. Emotions can be carried through objects in the Zelda series. It even seems that although the Hero’s Shade is confirmed to be OOT Link, it’s his regret - carried in the Triforce of Courage(reinforced by the Golden wolf) - that allows him to manifest to TP Link.
That's a very interesting view of it. Could explain the largely golden armor as well.
One of the best lores of Zelda, the FDL always had my mind gone into "he's a deity of the past Hero who lost everything and everyone, now using full power not to lose them again" but this is so detailed and specifial that makes me believe in the Fierce Deity's lore more; based on this video than in my own, thanks Zeltik, this video is awesome like the others, i hope we can watch more of your documentaries here, is fascinating~
Nice head Canon
Gotta say, this idea is actually pretty lit.
This is probably one of the best well-crafted theories for Majora’s Mask and it makes a lot of sense story wise because I also believe that it fits with the theory that Termina is a dream world that mirrors the world of Hyrule from Ocarina of Time. I used to believe the Link is Dead theory that MatPat had but now that we have more info on Majora’s Mask that theory is disappearing thanks to Nintendo clearing up some of the misconceptions that were made in the past. I also believe that after Link receives enlightenment is when he decides to return to Hyrule, marry Marron and they both help form the farming village the Hero of Twilight starts in hence why Majora’s Mask comes before Twilight Princess in the Child timeline of the official Zelda timeline.
The Link is Dead theory is heavily influenced by the five stages of grief. I just now realized why this theory came up in the first place... We western fans didn't recognize the Buddhistic meaning behind all of this, we only saw the remaining things. And they're not about enlightenment, but lost and sorrow
I actually learned about the five stages of grief/death in some of my psychology classes but here’s now how I look at Majora’s Mask. Each area of the game signifies a problem that Link needs to solve which also includes the side quests in order to reach enlightenment and become a guardian or fierce diety of the people of Termina. I will say that I don’t believe in Buddhism since I’m a Christian but I can definitely tell that some of the things In Majora’s Mask were influenced by Buddhism and I think that’s what makes the game so intriguing.
You know i always forgot about marron... I always assume he married ruto... I figured it would be a good way to explain Twilights longer breath meter compared to Time...
... I think the zora appreciate what link does more than the other races of hyrule... With the exception of maybe the gorons
@@OwlsPoniesDragonsandWolves gross lol
The idea that Link and four giants are based on 5 wisdom kings just blew my mind, it's so amazing that for a franchise that was created in this small country has this amazing community that spreads far wider beyond it. You guys always teach me what me as Japanese didn't even see
Fierce Deity Link is my absolute fav Link. He's a Creepy Pasta of his own in a game which is a Creepy Pasta. I wish this transformation appeared in more games... like, the true transformation. Not as a mere skin like in BotW or TFH
I like this theory bc unlike most other "fantheories", it doesn't feel like a fanfiction. It doesn't make strange connections between MM and newer games and doesn't see meanings where there aren't. Really nice to watch and listen to!
I always liked the theory that Fierce Deity Link is to Link like how Hylia is to Zelda and Demise to Gannon. Like he’s the original form of Link from before the entire Zelda timeline started.
The parralel of budha being enlightened under a tree and link being given the Fierce Deity Mask under a tree really sold this for me
Love how this question led to finding inspiration for the greater plot of MM. Very interesting! What a game.
I’ve always thought that the Fierce Deity was Link’s original form, similar to Hylia and Zelda or Demise and Ganandorf. The reason his powers are dark in nature and Majora would refer to him as a bad guy is because they both at one point served Demise, but FD betrayed the Demons to stand with Hylia.
In my fanstory, Hylia (protective goddess of Hyrule) and Kishin (protective god of Termina) met in Hyrule, became friends, fought off monsters and demons until eventually faced Demise. Hylia died in battle, and so did Kishin after sealing Demise in one of Hylia's traps. Both where reincarnated as humans, and their bodies became the Fierce Deity mask and disintegrated into fairies respectively. Since Kishin died with the dark rage of not being able to revenge Hylia's death, FD is a being of vengeance
My idea is that Link's Spirit of the Hero just manifests as unwavering courage.
It is rarely innate divine power that makes Link overcome issues, but rather his desire to help everyone and explore every nook and cranny that makes him powerful.
I just finished this game on the 3DS, yesterday. 21 years later, and it's still one of the most influential games I have ever played
In my mind I've always thought the Fierce Deity was the very first hero OR Termina's hero. Once that hero obtained the triforce he --instead of sealing the evil away-- wished for power greater than his foe. Once his foe was beaten the power was too much for him and the goddess(es) sealed the power into a mask.
Just some headcanon of mine since I was a kid. :)
It also really works well with the idea that the story of Majora's Mask is an introspective story for Link, having lost his purpose after going back in time after OOT. Link feels unfulfilled that he wasn't able to help people in his current timeline, so Majora's Mask is all about having the adventure and helping people that he couldn't in life.
Achieving personal enlightenment and defeating his internal demons is a fitting climax to a sad story. It's about him getting over what he lost.
I like to think that the Fierce Deity itself is a personification of the collective population of Termina. Its power comes from their unfiltered emotions and that is why the Fierce Deity is considered dangerous, as people acting on emotions alone can make unwise and dangerous decisions. The Fierce Deity comes to look like Link because Link becomes a major influence on the population of the town, with his figure etched into their collective unconscious. As such, Link basically creates the Fierce Deity as we know it by becoming a positive influence and a symbol of kindness on the townsfolk, who become emotionally attached to him
Fantastic theory!
Perhaps another reason the Fierce Deity's Mask looks like Link is because he is the archetypical Hero in all worlds where the Triforce is known. And the original builders of the Stone Tower Temple must've known of the Triforce since it's on the bottom of the movable statues there.
You talking about Buddhism made me realize again that, even though I don't follow any, I find religious beliefs very fascinating to hear about. Something so ingrained in humanity's various cultures is just interesting to me for some reason
continue that path, and remember, spirituality and religion are not the same thing
After all, Buddhism originated from Hinduism which also specifies that one of the goddess' forms is one of WRATH to protect her children. Plus, Karma which is a Hindu terminology is like what Zeltik says where your consequences are reflected upon your actions throughout life and as a whole your spiritual body is an accumulation of all your lives and your TRUE form.
@@Yarblocosifilitico ehh they are kind of the same thing since religion reflects upon spirituality. If you read Hinduism, Krishna states that spiritually we should have a bit of desire but also have the acknowledgement of nature and everyone around you. It also specifies that each incarnation of Vishnu are a specific amount of him with Krishna being the Ultimate incarnation.
@@groudonor12 A religion is an organization with a certain power srtucture and dogmas that usually claims absolute authority on spirituality.
Spirituality is the connection with nature that each of us would still have without any religion. One comes from the soul; the other, from the mind.
Spirituality is universal and religions are just the many faces of that fact.
I recommend searching:
goarch the human condition
This...is probably the most thorough theory on what the FD is I've heard of. It's probably gonna become part of my headcanon from now on given how good it is.
Another thing to note is the a triangle appears on the breastplate of the fierce Deity which could represent the triforce of courage. So link gaining enlightment and becoming a wrathful God allows him to unlock the true power of the Triforce of courage why else would it be present on the armor.
In my theory found in the description, I go into how I do believe it symbolizes the Hero, but draw much further attention to the moon symbol on the other side, which I believe is the real reason behind Link's form and what created the Fierce Deity Mask.
I've always thought it was a previous incarnation of link specifically the first one, Hylia's chosen hero who had to have a glow up to be as strong as hylia and demise to beat demise, the hilt of the sword would be reused to make the master sword because the original would be too strong for any normal Hylian, and when it becomes the master sword it gets more abilities anyway
And the origin for the mask from the manga which although isn't necessarily cannon could still be the answer in the main series. Has majoras mask being forged by a Warrior who looks like a previous incarnation of link after killing after killing a invincible dragon so if this was the 1st hero before he transformed into the fierce deity to fight demise then it would be a nice parallel
Based off this, the Happy Mask Salesman is named so not because he’s consistently smiling, indicating he’s always happy. But because he sells literal masks of happiness. Something so small but it’s amazing how a detail so minor and easy to take for face value may have a deeper meaning.
It also refers to the "happy mask" that salesmen wear. The Happy Mask Salesman is reminiscent of the shopkeeper in Link's Awakening who always smiles and wrings his hands but will destroy you if you steal.
The Happy Mask Salesman and Rupin from Skyward Sword both have this happy facade as well that occasionally gets broken in funny ways.
Great information! However, I would note that the other transformation masks don't transform Link's body entirely into the body of the soul within the mask. They all look a bit different from their original forms, like a fusion of Link and the soul. If the Fierce Deity doesn't have its own body, it would make sense to look like Link, since it's just a fusion of Link and divine power.
Never thought about it that way, makes sense... almost. Why does the mask itself resemble Link?
@@elli_senfsaat because it was made for him.
So glad you made a Fierce Deity video! It's one of the biggest mysteries in Zelda history!
It would be awesome if you looked in to the history of Lorule from Link Between Worlds and what the future for it is like, and if we'll ever see it again.
I doubt it will ever happen but I would love to have the fierce deity mask come back. There is so many questions surrounding it that it could make for a interesting side legend/lore. Even if it something small like the stone monuments around Zora Domain with the lore with Ruto as the sage of water.
It's could be back as some kinda of sleeping , links power that wakes only after being prove as hero and receiving lot of gratitude and hope , after a tragedy .
I saw another video and the original post two years ago and was really excited to hear you covering this- because it really cemented a point about majora's mask that I love, and seeing someone as popular as yourself cover it makes me excited because now it'll become more common knowledge amongst the community. Originally stumbling upon the original theory made me view the game in a completely different way (especially after learning a bit more about buddhism myself) and so I'm really thankful you've made this video. Knowing how much care the devs went into portraying this concept and the thoughts and ideas behind it really makes this final moment of the game that much more special.
I love Fierce Deity theories, didn't expect any new ones to come out SO LETS GO!!!
As someone that’s been studying Buddhism for a few years now, this is brilliant and tracks wonderfully! No doubt far more on the money than otherwise, I’d bet.
One correction: A “Bodhisattva“ is someone on the path who has made the choice to shun/avoid entering into full enlightenment/Nirvana, until they have helped all sentient beings achieve it first. Someone dedicated to helping others walk the path.
considering how termina seems to be a dark parallel to hyrule (kinda like lorule) fierce deity could be a dark hero of old, or a villain defeated long ago.
The fierce deity's mask is definitely one of my favorite parts in the entire game, and it intrigued me to hell n back where it might have possibly come from and what it could ever mean. But now I'm sure this is the meaning of such a beautiful and awesome part of the story. Plus the ties to buddhism that are hinted really gave me a new perspective on the whole game, and I've been trying to decipher it for years now. Goddamn incredible video on the best game ever!!!!
Fierce deity and dark link are so underutilized! I feel like the lore there is so fascinating! Here’s to hoping they make a comeback 🙏🏻
This is the exact reason why Majora's Mask is my favorite Zelda game of all time. Sure, it's basically a theory - but I feel like no other game in the series got so much depth like this one. Great video and theory, Zeltik and gamtos!
While it's more than likely that the Fierce Deity takes on Link's form is because all of Termina's wishes for a hero acclimates into the hero they already had, Link, being turned into a god, I like to think that it's a version of Link himself who repeated the three day cycle into insanity and, even in death, will now do anything to destroy evil, if if that means becoming it, and the reason you can only use the Fierce Deity mask against the bosses is because that hatred peaks and manifests that power.
My theory about the Fierce Deity has always been:
Throughout Majora's Mask we see counterparts to people from Hyrule. Anju is a counterpart to the cucco owner, Cremia and Romani are counterparts to Malon, the pirates are counterparts to the Gerudo, etc. I always thought that the Fierce Deity...was Link's Termina counterpart
That leaves the question, where is Zelda's counterpart? Ganondorf's? Impa? Rauru? The Kokiri?
And having the mask as Link's counterpart doesn't actually answer anything yet, just raises more questions that everything we're told about the mask doesn't answer.
Why would Link's Termina counterpart be so powerful and looking like that tho?
Another Zelda Theory? Let‘s go! I‘ve always wondered why the Fierce Deity‘s Mask is so strong before so I‘m really excited for this vid!
This is officially my favorite video done by you. I learned so much more about my real world than I expected from a video about a fantasy world. Well done sir! Keep up the superb content!
In lore I wonder if the Fierce Deity isn’t from before Skyward Sword.
Skyward Sword Link is the first version of the hero, but what if he isn’t the first Link?
Maybe Fierce Deity helped seal Demise. While the goddess Hylia decided to take on a mortal form she asked the Fierce Deity to come with her, in case she needed his help in the future.
OOH YEAH
I'm so glad to hear this theory. Fierce Deity Link Is one of the most intriguing and fascinating myth of the Zelda series. Here's my CRAZY theory: I've always thought that Fierce Deity Link is the true form of Link, just like Hylia is to Zelda, and Demise is to Gannondorf.
FDL and Hylia may have fought together against Demise in the age of the gods, but by some event, FDL was corrupted with Demise's power of darkness, and Hylia had to seal FDL forever, until he reincarnated as a human (Perhaps Skyward Sword Link as an example).
I like the idea that Link has ascended to Nirvana because, it can represent that the hero of time has been the only incarnation capable of using his true form and powers again.
Can I just say that I love this wild, intertwining Buddhism theory SO MUCH MORE than any attempt to connect this to any pre-established Zelda lore? This is how Zelda is at its best, better connected by grand ideas than by timelines and explicit history.
The best part is that it doesn't have to pick and choose. Link getting empowered by those he helps is bogstandard Zelda fare, established in lore time and time again.
This style of presentation reminded me very much of a school project, in a good way. Trying to find connections between interesting topics you love for people to understand.
I think there's a very big assumption going on near the end:
"I don't think it's a stretch to assume that these four children wearing the boss mask represent the Four Giants, who were imprisoned within these same masks by Majora, who is obviously represented by the fifth child"
I _really_ don't think that last bit is obvious at all. Why would the four boss masks represent the imprisoned ones, but Majora's Mask would represent itself?
I think a far more likely candidate here is Skull Kid. The imagery strongly suggests at a group of cheerful friends playing a distance away from the center of the world, with a sad child in the middle who appears to be left out of the fun. This strongly mirrors the tale Granny told, in which Skull Kid was left at the center of the world while the Four Giants occupied the quadrants surrounding it.
I think the fact that the deity mask looks like an older wisened link indeed implies the fact that the deity is when link gives all his masks away and rejects taking majoras mask. Instead revealing his true face and the darkness he too holds within himself. All those memories throughout time. Him proving to skull kid that he is in fact just like him and can be just as cruel and unforgiving when pushed too far
This makes so much sense! It makes me appreciate Majora's Mask even more!
Makes perfect sense that the leading warrior god, the main being that keeps out evil and crushes it under its boot, is Link.
Considering that he's not only the carrier of the triforce of courage, but also considering his destiny and curse to continuously fight off Ganon for eternity.
Have you considered writing power metal lyrics?
Always excited to see a new deep dive. This was fascinating as it did answer some questions I had about the masks orgins. The connection to Buddhism was really interesting. Great job. 👍
It's a running theme of the Zelda series that happiness/gratitude constitutes some kind of sacred energy, 'Force,' which can be concentrated into physical form such as Skyward Sword's Gratitude Crystals, Spirit Tracks' Force Gems, or Phantom Hourglass's Sands of Hours. If the masks in MM are manifestations or vessels of gratefulness, of Force, and all of it goes into the FD mask, then it makes sense for it to be so powerful. Link is taking in the sacred energy of an entire nation into himself.
You absolutely get it.
That's literally what my thread that inspired the video says.
You just blew my mind and gave me more answers about the fierce deity
Yeah especially about link helping those people and giving him those mask
Wow, I have played through MM so many times and never considered that the mask salesman would have different dialogue options for each mask. Have to go boot up the 64 again and check it out. It amazes me how much you find out about the games that I had never seen or heard of before-not just theory-wise but gameplay! Thank you for all your hard work and dedication, another amazing video as always, great job!
I always liked how in the Majora's Mask manga the fierce deity is referred to as a wild God. As though it's a noble God that kills monsters. A sort of dark knight in God form.
Majora's Mask will always be my favorite Zelda game. The song of healing has also helped me through a lot.
This is actually a really good explanation that I prefer over theorizing some crazy backstory to another hero we don't enough
I absolutely love your Zelda history content. This video on one of the most mysterious characters is absolutely incredible.
This is my favorite version of the Fierce Deity theory.
Just beat Majora’s Mask for the first time last night and got the fierce deity mask. I did NOT expect Majora to be as easy to beat as it was with that mask. Great video, and it came out just in time to be meaningful for me lol
It’s pretty much Link’s own version of Devil Trigger or Super Saiyan.
I always thought it was closer to the Spirit Bomb, the energy of many combining into a giant well of power.
One thing I’ve always wanted to see, imagine Gannon in Hyrule castle saying he can sense Link coming, he tells some of his soldiers to prepare but he cuts his sentence short and turns over slowly and nervously saying “what was that?” then it cuts to the gates of Hyrule with Link putting the Fierce deity Mask on. Then Gannon summons every mini boss, boss, and high end npcs to fight Link all at once. In a desperate and scared manner.
This is a great dive into this. Love that you pulled in from the Japanese game, translation often looses meanings in stuff.
Glad I found this channel as a huge Zelda fan. (Mainly Wind Waker and before)
My theory is that the reason the Fierce Deity looks like Link is that the spirit that the face is is that the spirit is Hylia's original chosen knight from before she became human. I think he, or part of him, might have reincarnated into a god in Termina. That, or he could just be Termina's version of Hylia, where the two of them swapped roles.
Love your theories, Bud. Keep it up.
You said it, man
Indeed
Just as I thought that the Fierce Deity character couldn't get any more fascinating.
This youtube channel is gold🙌🏻
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
One of the Vengeful Deities posesses a Whip and a Sword which are the weapons of Majora and Link/The Fierce Deity Link.
Kill them with kindness! I love this theory. Really well presented.
Your very best yet. A fantastic connection between Buddhism, and particularly Samsara, and Majora's Mask. I always felt the game had really profound, psychedelic undertones. This helps explain why. Great great work to both you and Gatmos
Firce dirty helped link defeat majora for me so I’m glad he helped me
Let's go
Ayy, glad to help
I like to think that this is a sort of alternate reality that Link has stumbled upon. In this reality the original hero took the power of the tri-force for himself. There was no reincarnations of Link, Ganon, or Zelda. The first Link became a “Fierce Deity” and changed the history of Hyrule forever, with Termina replacing Hyrule. Somehow a mystery hero/villain came along and sealed his power inside of a mask.
I’m always overjoyed to see anything about The Fierce Deity, thanks for sharing Zeltik. 🤖👉🏻👉🏻
I feel weird: The version of the manga is quite nice, explaining the origin of the Fierce Deity and why it's so easy for him to overpower Majora. The game version of Fierce Deity is very different.
I have a theory: Link was reincarnated by Fierce Deity, just like Zelda and Ganondorf were reincarnated by Gods.
Finally someone is talking about this. Thank you Zeltik, great video. I was doing research on Buddhism a few days ago in order to better understand the story of Majora's Mask and I came to find not many people talking about the games connections with Buddhism. Again thank you for making this video and bringing it to more people's attention. I have been wanting something like this since 2015 when Majora's Mask 3D came out.
Here is my rather edgy / dark take on this item. The masks that you trade in are gifts from others out of gratitude and filled with happiness. And think about it. Essentially youre giving away things that were given to you out of gratitude and filled with joy for pure power. *This interaction is like a deal with the devil*. Not to mention the being who gives the mask itself to you is also wearing Majora's Mask. You're giving up the happiness and possessions of others for power. This is why the mask is described as having "dark powers" that are "as bad as Majora". They are two sides of the same coin. By wearing Majora's mask you sacrifice yourself for power. By wearing the fierce deitys mask you are sacrificing others happiness for power.
This could also explain why you can only wear it in boss rooms and even the fishing hamlet. Link chooses to only unleash this power in an environment where the only thing it can destroy is evil or where it can be calmed down by tranquility. It also explains why the bosses become so easy when you use this. You may be able to enjoy the power rush of stomping those bosses into the ground but in the end it doesn't feel like an accomplishment. In part due to the fact that there wasn't a struggle or a hurdle you overcame but also because you can only do this once all the bosses had already been beaten. In the end by using this mask you get nothing but the fleeting rush of curb stomping something you had already beaten legitimately.
So my conclusion is: Obtaining this item is the result of a dark deal with Majora himself. You give him incarnations of all the happiness you caused and in return he gives you power you can only use in hollow ways. Link however instead of being corrupted by the prospect like you chooses to limit it to places where he can control it (because he's just a good dude like that). So in the end the game is telling you: "Hey ! You just gave up the rewards from all the people you made happy like that ? Okay then, here have something that feels like it's worth it but it's acutally not"
For years, I’ve wondered if FD has any relation to Kabuki. The visual similarity is too striking to ignore. Additionally, red symbolizes heroism in Kabuki and blue is villainy, I think.
I just beat majoras mask for the first time a few days ago. Perfect timing lol.