You’ve seen the long ears. You’ve definitely seen the third eye. If you’ve spent any time at all traversing the floating islands in Tears of the Kingdom, Rauru is a name that’s likely burned into your brain by now. But honestly? The guy is a bit of a mystery, even to hardcore fans who have played every entry since the NES days.
Rauru is a name that carries weight. It’s heavy. It’s legendary. Depending on which game you’re playing, he’s either a bearded old man who likes to hang out in a glowing temple at the center of the universe, or he’s an anthropomorphic goat-dragon hybrid with enough magical power to seal away the literal King of Demons for tens of thousands of years.
Wait. Are they the same person?
That’s where things get messy. Nintendo loves to play with reincarnation and cyclical history, but when we talk about Rauru Legend of Zelda lore, we’re usually looking at two distinct pillars of the franchise. Understanding him isn’t just about knowing his name; it’s about understanding how Hyrule was built—and how it was nearly destroyed.
The First King of Hyrule: A Zonai Legacy
In Tears of the Kingdom, Rauru isn't just some dude. He’s the first King of Hyrule. Period. Before him, the land was basically a wild, chaotic mess of warring tribes and monster dens. Rauru, alongside his sister Mineru, descended from the heavens as part of the Zonai race—a group of "god-like" beings that the Hylians eventually came to worship.
He married a Hylian woman named Sonia. It’s a classic power couple move. Sonia had the blood of the goddess Hylia, and Rauru had the secret stones—powerful artifacts that amplify the wearer's inner strength. Together, they founded the kingdom. But here’s the thing: Rauru’s version of Hyrule was built on a bit of an ego trip. He believed the Zonai were untouchable. He thought his light power could stop anything.
He was wrong.
Ganondorf, a Gerudo leader who was basically a tactical genius and a powerhouse of malice, saw the weakness in Rauru's kindness. He staged a coup, murdered Queen Sonia, and stole a Secret Stone. This transformed him into the Demon King. Rauru realized, way too late, that he couldn't actually kill Ganondorf. The best he could do was a "tie." He used his own body as a seal, pinning Ganondorf beneath the earth for millennia.
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It’s a tragic story. Rauru basically spent thousands of years as a ghost-arm attached to a decaying mummy. Talk about commitment.
The Other Rauru: The Sage of Light
If you grew up in the 90s, Rauru is a different guy entirely. In Ocarina of Time, he’s the Sage of Light. He’s the one who builds the Temple of Time (or at least protects it) and keeps Link in a magical stasis for seven years until he’s old enough to swing the Master Sword without pulling a muscle.
This Rauru is weirdly distant. He hangs out in the Chamber of Sages, which exists in some pocket dimension called the Sacred Realm. There’s a long-standing theory—confirmed by the Hyrule Historia—that this Rauru is actually Kaepora Gaebora. You know, that annoying owl who talks your ear off and then asks if you want to hear everything again? Yeah. That’s him.
It’s a strange contrast. The King Rauru is a warrior, a leader, and a family man. The Sage Rauru is an ancient architect of fate who watches the world from a distance. Are they connected? Probably not directly. Think of it like a name being passed down through legends, or a soul being reborn when the world needs a "Protector of Light" the most.
Why the Design Change?
People were genuinely shocked when they first saw Rauru’s design in the modern era. He’s tall. He has huge, drooping ears. He has fur. He looks more like a creature out of a Studio Ghibli film than a Hylian king. This was a deliberate choice by the Zelda team to make the Zonai feel "alien."
The Zonai are meant to be the "source" of Hylian culture. Their architecture is brutalist and heavy, full of swirls and dragon motifs. By making Rauru look less human, Nintendo emphasized that the royalty of Hyrule started with something divine and non-human. It adds a layer of "lost history" that makes the ruins you explore feel more significant.
Honestly, the sheer scale of his ears alone tells you everything you need to know about his design philosophy. He’s a listener. He’s a watcher. He’s the bridge between the clouds and the dirt.
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The Secret Stones and the Light Element
You can’t talk about Rauru Legend of Zelda history without talking about Light. In the Zelda universe, Light isn't just "not dark." It’s a specific elemental force used to seal evil.
Rauru’s Secret Stone specifically amplified his Light power. This allowed him to:
- Create physical barriers that Malice couldn't penetrate.
- Project his spirit across time to guide Link.
- Maintain a physical seal on Ganondorf even after his physical body died.
But Light has a weakness in this universe: it’s rigid. Rauru’s downfall was his inability to adapt to Ganondorf’s cunning. He expected a fair fight. He got a betrayal. This nuance is why Rauru is such a compelling character. He isn't a perfect god. He's a guy with too much power and not enough cynicism.
The Connection to Link’s Arm
Let’s be real. The most iconic thing about Rauru in the modern games is his arm. Specifically, the fact that he gives it to Link.
When Ganondorf wakes up at the start of Tears of the Kingdom, his "Gloom" destroys Link’s right arm. Rauru, who is basically a lingering spirit at this point, gives Link his own ghostly limb. This isn't just a gameplay mechanic for Ultrahand and Fuse; it’s a symbolic passing of the torch. The first king is literally giving the last hero the tools to finish the job he started.
It’s a bit gross if you think about it too hard. Attaching a dead king’s arm to your own stump? Weird. But in the context of Hyrule's mythology, it’s the ultimate sacrifice. Rauru gives up his final connection to the physical world to ensure Link has a fighting chance.
Misconceptions About the Rauru Legend
One of the biggest mistakes people make is assuming Rauru is a god. He’s not. The Zonai were powerful, and they lived a long time, but they were mortal. They could bleed. They could die. Rauru’s death is a pivotal moment because it proves that even the "divine" founders of Hyrule were vulnerable.
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Another common mix-up? Thinking he’s the same Rauru from Ocarina of Time. While it’s a fun headcanon, the timelines don’t really support it without some serious mental gymnastics. The Rauru in Tears of the Kingdom exists in a "re-founding" era. Whether this happens tens of thousands of years after the old games or in a completely different continuity is still a debate that keeps Zelda fans up at night on Reddit.
How to Apply Rauru’s Lore to Your Gameplay
If you’re playing through the games now, knowing who Rauru is actually changes how you interact with the world.
When you find a Zonai ruin, look at the statues. Most of them are stylized versions of Rauru or his sister. When you use the Ultrahand, remember that you’re using the literal strength of the first king. It adds a layer of weight to every bridge you build and every Korok you accidentally launch into space.
To really dive deep into the Rauru Legend of Zelda mythos, you should focus on these three things:
- The Dragon Tears: Don't just watch them for the plot. Look at Rauru’s expressions. Notice how he treats Zelda. He’s a man who knows he’s outclassed by fate but tries to be a father figure anyway.
- The Sage Spirits: Compare Rauru’s leadership style to the modern Sages (Sidon, Riju, etc.). He was a solitary ruler; they are a team. That’s the growth of Hyrule in a nutshell.
- The Depths: Explore the area directly beneath the Sanctum. You’ll find the place where Rauru sat in silence for ages. It’s haunting.
Rauru represents the beginning of the end. He’s the foundation of everything we love about the series, from the Master Sword’s purpose to the very existence of the kingdom. He might be a bit of a "failed hero" in his own time, but without his sacrifice, there would be no Hyrule for Link to save.
Next time you’re gliding through the sky, take a second to look at that glowing green arm. It’s not just a tool. It’s the remains of a king who refused to let his world stay dark. That’s the real legacy of Rauru.