What parts of Legend of Zelda are ""Real""?

General Questions
#1

This may be a long shot, but I’m dying to know. Does anyone know some of the influences for The Legend of Zelda? (The overall concept, not one “episode” or “adventure”) Are there any religions, myths or cultures that Zelda Emulates? Some key points that I wonder about; The “Tri-Force”, The use of a Red Eagle (or other type of bird) on Links sheild. The Three Gods that formed the Tri-force… I know the Name Epona has roots in myths… what else? Why exactly are Rupees the currency of choice in the game? Is there any signifigance to the Eyeball in the Hand… as represented by a Boss? (Wind Waker, Roughly before half way through the game)

I love the game and the franchise, but I doubt Nintendo came up with all of the aspects alone.

#2

Here are a few interesting facts. I will not bother including many links, as this is mostly off the top of my head. You can trust that this information is true – and not rumors, speculation – as I have read several interviews with Shigeru Miyamoto, the game’s creator.

The Legend of Zelda was in part inspired by the movie Legend starring Tom Cruise. Here is a link to information about the movie. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0089469/

When Shigeru Miyamoto was a kid, he would travel alone to a cave in the woods. He was adventurous.

The character Zelda was named after F. Scott Fitzgerald’s wife.

The number three is significant in many cultures. http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three How this ties in with Zelda? I’m not exactly sure. But this should be a start.

To find more information please visit the Miyamoto Shrine. http://www.miyamotoshrine.com/theman/interviews/

#3

I just came across this bit of information. It’s interesting.

http://www.daft.com/pp12sr/steps/threesymb1.htm

Alchemists believed in four elements: Earth, Wind, Fire, and Water. In the Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, the three Gods were Earth, Wind, and Fire. Or was it Earth, Water, and Fire?

Also, on an unrelated note, Earth, Wind, and Fire was a popular funk band in the '70s.

#4

Actually, the 3 gods of Legend of Zelda’s saga represented Power, Wisdom and Courage.

#5

I think zelda drew upon many sources of medival-ish fantasy.

So old tales of dragons, monsters, etc, tolkien, D&D, etc. It’s likely zelda drew from many such sources.

#6

Oops. You’re right. Maybe I thought this because of their colors.

Thanks for the correction.

#7

I don’t know. I mean, yeah, Gleeok and Volvagia are dragons, and Gohma is a spider, and Lionel is a centaur, and Moblins are kinda Orc-like, but I think the majority of Zelda monsters do not come from such straightforward sources. I mean, Like Likes? Peahats? Barinade? Pols Voice?

#8

Well, the Final Fantasy series base a lot of their games on the Elements, though they frequently have more than four elements in their mythos. Also, they may not necessarily use the word elements, but that’s what they MEAN.

#9

In Ocarina of Time, there are five (or six or seven) Element-like themes: Forest, Fire, Water, Spirit, and Shadow, and also Light and Time. So the idea of Elements exists there too.

Din, Nayru, and Farore were represented by the colors Red, Blue, and Green, and their corresponding Triforce parts are Power, Wisdom, and Courage, but they also had other complementary themes in OoT. Their spells were called Fire, Love, and Wind, for instance. In the Hyrule creation mythos, they formed the earth, bestowed law unto it, and created life, respectively.