Were the Zonai Evil? Breath of the Wild (+ Tears of the Kingdom) Theory

Check out Monster Maze's counterpart theory! https://youtu.be/0mDeVIslGfE

I'm calling it: the Zonai were a tri-force-worshipping civilisation, composed of three sects, each focusing on a single one of the three virtues. Ganondorf posed as a god of power, leading to a schism when he took control of the barbarian power-worshippers. This ultimately led the other two sect to part also, with the courage-worshippers ascending above the cloud-barrier with the dragons they worshipped; and the wisdom-worshippers eventually becoming the Sheikah.

Just a theory, but due to the Zonai ruins meant to represent Courage, Wisdom and Power, what if the Zonai are a true neutral? Like, they worship Ganon yes, but the Worship the heroes of Courage and Wisdom to the same extent.

With me binging Zelda videos after Tears of the Kingdom it’s funny to see how this aged and how much more we know about the Zonai. I love seeing how accurate or funnily inaccurate old theories are

The barbarian armor really threw off all these theories. As well as the fact that the Zonai came from the sky.

I already know that these theories are going to be amazing. Can't wait to watch them later tonight!

My addition to this theory: Im thinking that the zonai had two factions. One side supported ganon, the other didnt and instead chose to leave to the skies and i think the ancient hero was from the side which didnt support ganon. At least i like to think that the estranged part of the zonai went underground and the other side became enlightened and went to the skies.

I can’t say who the Zonai were, or their origins, but I love how the game developers and designers took inspiration from real ancient societies and their architecture. I also love how much research this channel has done into every detail behind a character, village, and all the other lore that goes into the LOZ series.

The Legend of Zelda Tears of the Kingdom: I’m about to end this man’s whole career

Just a thought, if Ganon was a “prisoner” they would most likely remove any jewelry. Especially in a world where jewelry can enhance or give special abilities.

You know what'd be funny? Imagine if the sequel just didn't expand on the Zonai at all. I doubt it, but you never know with Nintendo and Zelda.

This is so interesting to watch after TOTK has dropped

While every part of the temple leading down to Ganondorf's chamber definitely gives the impression that the Zonai were loyal to Ganondorf, something about the scene in the ritual chamber doesn't quite mesh with that -- the dark King's pose in the chamber, and in the moment frozen in time in the shadows on the wall, seems more consistent with a man whose final living moments were spent in combat against a warrior. I think you've got the right idea overall: the Zonai, a tribe that worshipped powerful beings, recognized the Gerudo King's supernatural might and forged a worshipful alliance -- from the cave paintings, it's safe to assume that Ganondorf fought alongside the Zonai in some capacity, and that his presence in their ranks would've greatly increased their fighting strength, letting them rise to prominence as a conquering force in the region, an outcome that would've justified their worship of him and further endeared the Zonai to Ganondorf... a fact he would exploit when he set his plan into motion. Everything about that plan -- the isolated temple, the ritual setup, the ceremonial procession and attire -- all went as Ganondorf foresaw, right up until he got to the 'slaughter them all, devour their spirit energy' phase. It certainly looks as though someone vehemently disagreed with genocide, and fought back against the mad Gerudo: even setting aside the hand clutching Ganondorf's chest, those circular holes in his hand and sternum might be arrow wounds, frozen in that state of injury by Ganondorf's near-death sealing -- two shots to the left hand, which I believe has historically been Ganondorf's dominant hand, and then one more through the chest just slightly too low to pierce the heart. If my hunch is correct, the last person to see Ganondorf alive was a warrior whose skill may well have rivalled Link's own. Someone fought back, and I think it's a fair bet that we're going to find out who that someone was.

you have to admit, the weird hand thing isnt serving ganondorf. idk if its a zonai thing or something, but it is most definitely not with ganondorf, as it catches link before he falls in the first trailer, giving up on sealing ganondorf to save link, and merging with him for some reason in the second trailer. personally i think it merges with him to stop the spread of malice, but it could be any reason. but no matter what, the hand does not help ganondorf, and is definitely sealing him in some way. doesnt exactly mean the zonai didnt follow him, but the hand definitely doesnt

Continuing this theory: The Zonai were betrayed and trapped in the tomb they’d built for their god. In hatred, they turned on him, sealing him in the tomb. Although Ganondorf’s plan was to be in the tomb, the zonai spirits manifested as a hand, and tied to stop the malice’s from spreading. If it weren’t for the Zonai, Ganondorf’s malice would be stronger, causing a constant endless Calamity, as opposed to every thousand or so years.

I still don’t understand the barbarian armor, like the style of it doesn’t resemble the zonai at all.

Imagine being so wrong that you were wrong about being wrong

one thing I love about this community is how we're able to make some of the most amazing theories with so little to go on, yet we find absolutely everything possible. even if we're dead wrong, it's still my favorite part of gaming. the theories. the hype. it's almost better than the games themselves.

There is somewhat of an discrepancy here, depicting the Zonai as a savage tribe of barbarians serving Ganondorf for the promise of strength, and seeing the actual ingame ruins, honoring animals depicting all three aspects of the Triforce, Wisdom, Courage and Power: Owls, Dragons and Boars, and calling them adept magic users who can build flamethrowers. My theory is, that the Zonai fought against Ganons forces, bested them and built a tomb to imprison him after learning, that he can not be killed permanently. They still honored him, he became the very image of power to the zonai: the boar. They designed their warriors armor in the image of him or his forces in an effort to emulate his strength, and they depicted him in murals, not weak and beaten and dishonored, but proud and strong, just to show: "Yes, this man was like a god of war and in glorious battle, we bested him." Maybe they build the others structures in hyrule afterwards, to contain something else. Skeleton Horses are pretty common around the North Lomei Labyrinth, could be the influence of the remains of Ganondorfs Horse.

Love how all the new comments are just parroting "Wrong," as if Zeltik had presented this as a fact video and not a theory, lol. But I will admit, it is really interesting to see how far off or close to the truth the fanbase were to what the Zonai really were like.