simple girl

Ilia's character seems to be created from bits and pieces of Malon and Saria from The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. Ilia's temper displayed when she scolded Link and her own father in the beginning of the game is reminiscent of Malon's shortness with her father, Talon. Ilia also shows care for Epona, Link's horse, much like Malon did in OoT. Like Saria, Ilia is Link's best friend. Just as Link and Saria had to part ways in OoT, so did Link and Ilia in TP. Both Saria and Malon were of the "simple girl" archetype and they had their own type of so-called beauty. In Ilia's case, simplicity is beauty.

Though Ilia is overprotective of a horse that does not belong to her, it is her compassion for animals that leads her to be assertive (not to mention her strong will, which Mayor Bo says she got from her late mother). She even goes so far as to wash Epona for Link, which shows that not only does she care for the horse, she tries to do right by her best friend. Not only does Ilia show care and concern for Link and Epona, she displays her compassion for others by praying for Prince Ralis during her time with amnesia. It is during this time that Ilia grows more mature and understanding. While she struggles to regain memory of who she was, she eventually keeps the sweet side we see of her throughout her amnesia. As soon as she recovers, she immediately tries to help Link in his quest. Most others would usually cling emotionally. Instead, she urges Link to do what he must, showing that she has grown to be both sefless and understanding.

representation

Ilia's character played a large role in Link's life, not to mention the story as a whole. She represents a number of things, one of the most important being the past. Ilia, as a character, is the sum of Link's life before his adventure in TP; she is a simple worker who enjoys her role in a village of merchant-like people. She represents what was. Ilia also represents stability- her assertive behavior could be called "motherly", and her later understanding of Link's mission represents understanding. Her closeness with Link, Epona, and the villagers is a symbol of family. It could be concluded that, despite her youth, she is spousal material. Ilia also represents nature, and that can be seen mostly in her character design- simple clothing, youthful face and body, and bare feet. Just as a small bud blossoms into a beautiful flower, Ilia blossoms from an emotional teenager to a patient young woman.