Zelda Theories

The Water Temple

First, the main question is, what is the Water Temple supposed to be? Fire Temple looks like a jail of somewhat (with funny obstacle courses), Shadow Temple is similar to a mausoleum (but likely used for other purposes), Forest Temple is easily a castle, and Spirit Temple actually looks like a true shrine of worship. The Water Temple is somewhat out there. One cannot easily identify it with any actual buildings. If anything, considering how well in tact it is, some of the water changing mechanisms, even the basic architecture (all designed with Zora use in mind), it might actually be a real temple.

Now, then, I suppose I should start pulling together ideas. Where is this Water Temple located? Under a large island, with a gigantic tree on top. How are islands formed? Generally speaking, a simple accumulation of earth can form an island. But the Water Temple, it is completely buried under the earth. In fact, in that giant central chamber (not the central tower) it seems as though earth has fallen down on the sides, covering the beautiful blue brick. Perhaps not volcanic activity, but tectonic activity. It is more than possible that Hyrule is on or near the edge of two tectonic plates, as Death Mountain is still active. Thus, I think that the Water Temple was actually built above ground first, and then sunk, covered by the island. I guess, that would make the Water Temple a sunken city of sorts.

If my concept of the sunken city is correct, it would explain the multitude of rooms (most likely converted to something other than residentials/stores/etc now). An underwater civilization, like the Zora, is quite likely to have a multi-level city, as gravity simply isn't as much trouble for them as it is for land dwellers.

If earth did fall down and sink this city, regardless of species, deaths would happen (oh noes, it's starting to look grim again). Perhaps that is why the Water Temple is quite like an actual temple, it is like holy ground, in rememberance of those Zora who were crushed under the falling earth. All that earth also explains those very random boulders falling out from nowhere in the room with the whirlpools and six tektites.

Why did the Zoras convert the sunken city into a temple? A temple is a place of spirituality, but for whom? Who are the Zoras worshipping? The dragon heads most likely, who I suspect to be Leviathan, the only great sea creature that the dragon heads remind me of. Leviathan has been described in many different shapes (whale, crocodile, a simple large monster) but a fairly prominent concept is the snake form. Skipping Sunday school, Leviathan was a huge sea monster, capable of unspeakable destruction.

And that destruction was of the Water Temple. The Zoras, perhaps to appease the God of Leviathan, built a temple for him out of the ruins of the sunken city. Whether or not a Leviathan actually did destroy the city is not an important issue right now (I doubt there were Leviathan in Lake Hylia). That is why there are dragon heads every, why whirlpools are abound (Leviathan was said to devour ships via whirlpools), to give tribute to their god.

My analysis probably could end here, but I have given it a bit more thought than that. Remember the room where you fought Dark Link? A single tree on an island, in the middle of vast waters, endless, endless waters. Does that island with a tree look familiar? Why, it actually looks like the island the Water Temple is under. This brings up the water changing mechanism.

The Water Temple, after the curse was broken, refilled Lake Hylia. Who is to say that is the extent of the temple? Maybe that is what the water changing mechanics signify, a flood. The potential cause of said future flood? Leviathan, in the eyes of the Zora. Not only is a temple a place of worship, it is often considered a body of worship, as if to signify the actual god. If Leviathan were to end the world through a flood (never read of that happening, but possible), then he would be the only thing left alive, his body the Water Temple, symbolized by that lone island in the room against Dark Link. When Link defeats Dark Link, the images of the flood and single island disappear. It is almost as though Dark Link were Leviathan, whom, if destroyed, cannot cause the flood. I feel as though the Zoras do not wish to flood the world, because Dark Link, evil, is the one who brings the flood. Does this have anything to do with THE Flood? Did the Zoras change "religions" and thus change form because they felt Leviathan destroyed the world? One can only speculate.

But now, the Zoras have mostly left the temple. Most live in upper Zora's River. There, they have found a new god, Jabu Jabu. But have they actually found a new God? Surprisingly, Leviathan has also been said to be a great fish or whale, in general. Is Jabu Jabu the Leviathan? Of course no;, the dragon heads do not look much like Jabu Jabu at all. Maybe Jabu Jabu is a "new" Leviathan to worship, a different type, one who is not destructive, but is the protective guardian of the Zora. I don't know about you, but I'd much rather worship a god who protects me, not ultimately destroys me.