<P> Princess Zelda is the titular character in Nintendo's The Legend of Zelda video game series, created by Shigeru Miyamoto and introduced in its original entry in 1986 . The name has applied to many female members of Hyrule's royal family, which includes several distinct characters in Hyrule legend . </P> <P> Though she is the eponymous character, her story role is often that of donor or damsel in distress . The player instead controls Link, the series' central protagonist, and usually focuses on defeating Ganon (or Ganondorf), the series' main antagonist . Many Zelda games adopt the classic princess - and - dragon premise of chivalric literature: Zelda is usually kidnapped or imprisoned by Ganon, prompting Link to come to her rescue . Some games in the series have emphasized Zelda's magical abilities and importance to the functioning of Hyrule, demonstrating that she is more than capable of taking care of herself . In several games, she is one of the Sages or Champions whose heroism is essential to defeating Ganon; in others, she adopts alternative personae in order to take a more active role in her kingdom; and in some, she is a self - sacrificing princess regnant . Zelda's alter egos include the ninja Sheik in Ocarina of Time and the pirate Tetra in The Wind Waker and Phantom Hourglass . </P> <P> According to Shigeru Miyamoto, co-creator of The Legend of Zelda series, Princess Zelda's name was inspired by that of Zelda Fitzgerald, an American novelist, dancer, and socialite, as well as the wife of fellow novelist F. Scott Fitzgerald . Miyamoto explains, "(Fitzgerald) was a famous and beautiful woman from all accounts, and I liked the sound of her name . So I took the liberty of using her name for the very first Zelda title ." Ben Reeves of Game Informer elaborated that the "name Zelda (alternately Selda or Segula) might not be used much anymore, but this old Yiddish name means' blessed, happy, or lucky ."' </P> <P> As with Link, there are multiple incarnations of Princess Zelda in the series, who vary in age, appearance, and disposition . Zelda generally has blonde or brown hair and blue - gray eyes; she is often depicted wearing a royal gown and jewelry . She is associated with the goddesses Hylia and Nayru, as well as with the Triforce of Wisdom . Most iterations of Zelda also have psionic powers, such as teleportation (also known as "Farore's Wind" in the Super Smash Bros. series), telepathy, and precognition; for example, she can cast spells and create or undo barriers and seals . Her alter egos also have their own abilities . </P>

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