Across Hyrule and the lands beyond it, Link has encountered aquatic Zora, mountain-dwelling Gorons, Gerudo warriors, forest spirits, ancient civilizations and inhabitants of entirely different realms.
Explore the major races and peoples of The Legend of Zelda, including their history, notable characters, cultures and appearances throughout the series.
Major Peoples of Hyrule
These groups have played recurring roles throughout Zelda history and include many of the series’ most recognizable civilizations.
Zora
An aquatic people with kingdoms and settlements throughout Zelda history.
Gerudo
A desert people known for skilled warriors, powerful leaders and Ganondorf.
Gorons
Rock-eating mountain dwellers famous for their strength and loyalty.
Koroks
Small forest spirits who live under the protection of the Great Deku Tree.
Rito
A birdlike people known for flight and life in Hyrule’s highlands.
Sheikah
An ancient people with a long history of protecting Hyrule’s Royal Family.
Hylians
The people most closely associated with the Kingdom of Hyrule.
Other Important Peoples and Civilizations
These groups are especially important to particular eras, regions or stories within the Zelda series.
Zonai
An ancient people central to the history revealed in Tears of the Kingdom.
Kokiri
The eternally young forest people who raised Link in Ocarina of Time.
Deku Scrubs
Plantlike beings who appear as enemies, merchants and organized communities.
Twili
The inhabitants of the Twilight Realm, including Midna and Zant.
Minish
Tiny beings hidden throughout Hyrule in The Minish Cap.
Peoples of the Sky, Forests and Mountains
Several Zelda adventures introduce civilizations that are closely tied to a specific region or environment.
Wind Tribe
A civilization that left Hyrule to live among the clouds in The Minish Cap.
Kikwi
Small plantlike forest dwellers found throughout Faron Woods in Skyward Sword.
Mogma
Mole-like treasure hunters who inhabit the volcanic regions of Skyward Sword.
Oocca
Birdlike inhabitants of the City in the Sky encountered in Twilight Princess.
Yeti
Large snow-dwelling beings represented by Yeto and Yeta in Twilight Princess.
Aquatic and Island Peoples
Not every Zelda civilization lives within the traditional borders of Hyrule.
Parella
Aquatic beings who inhabit Lake Floria and serve the Water Dragon Faron.
Tokay
Reptilian inhabitants of Crescent Island encountered in Oracle of Ages.
Anouki
Antlered people who live in cold regions in Phantom Hourglass and Spirit Tracks.
Ancient and Unusual Civilizations
Some of Zelda’s peoples exist far outside the familiar kingdoms and cultures of Hyrule.
Lokomo
Ancient guardians connected to the Spirit Tracks and Tower of Spirits.
Subrosians
Mysterious hooded inhabitants of the underground land of Subrosia.
Ancient Robots
Mechanical inhabitants of ancient Lanayru whose technology predates Link’s adventure in Skyward Sword.
How Zelda’s Peoples Change Between Games
The same race does not always look or behave exactly the same from one Zelda game to another.
Different adventures can take place generations or even ages apart. Civilizations change, settlements disappear and familiar peoples can return in new forms.
The Zora, for example, have appeared as enemies in some games and as one of Hyrule’s major civilizations in others. The Rito, Gerudo, Sheikah and Koroks have also changed significantly depending on the era.
Some peoples are closely tied to a single adventure instead. The Tokay are associated with Crescent Island in Oracle of Ages, while the Mogma, Kikwi and Parella are part of the world introduced in Skyward Sword.
Each Zelda Central race guide looks across the series when possible, bringing together major appearances, characters, locations and important lore in one place.
Recurring Peoples vs. One-Game Civilizations
Not every Zelda race needs to appear in multiple games to be important.
Groups such as the Zora, Gorons, Gerudo and Sheikah have become recurring parts of the series, while others are strongly associated with one particular setting. The Twili are inseparable from Twilight Princess, the Minish define much of The Minish Cap, and the Subrosians are one of the most distinctive parts of Oracle of Seasons.
Those more limited appearances are still worth exploring because they often reveal parts of the Zelda world that never appear anywhere else.
More Races and Peoples
Zelda Central’s race guides will continue to grow as more groups receive dedicated coverage.
The series contains numerous additional creatures and civilizations that could eventually warrant their own pages, particularly when they have substantial lore, memorable characters or important roles within their respective games.
For now, this section focuses on the peoples that contribute most to the history and identity of the Zelda series rather than attempting to catalogue every intelligent species or enemy encountered in Hyrule.
Explore More of Hyrule
The peoples of Hyrule are closely connected to the heroes, villains and supporting characters who define each era.
Visit our Zelda Characters guide to explore Link, Princess Zelda, Ganondorf, Midna, Sheik, the Champions and other major characters from throughout the series.
