Summary
In the world ofThe Legend of Zelda, there are often dungeons representing each of the major elements that make up life. InOcarina of Time, the temples of fire, water, and forest are three of the five total dungeons that connect to showcase the world created by the goddesses of the Triforce. These dungeons often reoccur in one form or another across many games inThe Legend ofZeldafranchise. These core dungeons are often accompanied by spiritual guides or guardian deities. The Great Deku Tree oversees the forest, Death Mountain often has guardians like Volvagia, and the home of the Zora is protected by Lord Jabu-Jabu.
Lord Jabu-Jabu, or Jabu-Jabu-sama in Japan, is a whale-like deity that watches over the Zoras in severalLegend of Zeldagames. Jabu-Jabu appears in different forms over the years but is primarily present inOracle of AgesandOcarina of Time. The character is also referenced in one form or another throughout the series. The benevolent water guardian crosses paths with Link more than once, but unlike the Deku Tree, doesn’t offer much wisdom or dialogue of any kind. Lord Jabu-Jabu is often depicted as being more or less silent but with some kind of great power. Regardless, Jabu-Jabu is always an important part of theLegend of Zeldauniverse.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
Ocarina of Time’s Third Dungeon
The first appearance of Lord Jabu-Jabu and the most prominent is inOcarina of Time. When Young Link visits Zora’s Domain in search of theSpiritual Stone of Water, The Zora’s Sapphire, he is told of Lord Jabu-Jabu’s presence in the domain. Described as the patron deity of the Zoras, Jabu-Jabu is fed and taken care of by Princess Ruto of the Zora. The deity resides on an altar in Zora’s fountain behind the domain. It is there that Link must offer the deity a fish in order to enter its belly and save Princess Ruto.
Lord Jabu-Jabu is seemingly depicted as a docile and friendly spirit that visitors to Zora’s domain may see in person. However, Ganondorf cast a spell on the deity, which caused it to act uncharacteristically. Jabu-Jabu becomesthe third dungeon inOcarina of Timeand the final one as Young Link. This appearance of Jabu-Jabu went on to inspire the others that followed.
The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages
The Zora Guardian in Hyrule’s Sister Country
In the land of Labrynna, featured inOracle of Ages,there exist many similar tribes to Hyrule. Among these are the Zoras, who once again have Lord Jabu-Jabu watching over their home. InOracle of Ages,the Zoras live in Zora Village, where their shrine to the whale-like deity resides. As inOcarina of Time, Link must find a way to enter the whale in order to complete his quest. Jabu-Jabu’s Belly becomesthe seventh dungeon inOracle of Ages.
The game takes place in two separate ages, and Jabu-Jabu appears in both. The deity is too small to enter in the past and can only be accessed in the future age.Oracle of Ages' Jabu-Jabu is very similar to the one fromOcarina of Timein that he must be saved from an illness. AfterOracle of Ages, Jabu-Jabu is seen only in statue form in the Lakebed Temple inTwilight Princessand inZora’s Domain inBreath of the Wild.
The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker
The Descendant of Jabu-Jabu
Appearing far into the future of theZeldatimeline, Jabun is thought to be the descendant of Jabu-Jabu. Only speaking Ancient Hylian, this water spirit reluctantly assists Toon Link by giving him Nayru’s Pearl. Jabun’s theme is actually a remixed version of the song that plays in Jabu-Jabu’s Belly inOcarina of Time. Though the Zora aren’t in this game, Jabun still remains a guardian deity all the same. Jabun also appears in astained-glass window inThe Minish Cap, further emphasizing the importance of the character.
