All Dragon's Tears Locations — Complete Memory Guide for TotK
All Dragon's Tears Locations — Complete Memory Guide
Dragon's Tears are the 12 memories that reveal what happened to Zelda after she fell into the past. Finding all 12 is required for the True Ending and to learn where the Master Sword is. This guide covers every location — 11 Geoglyph tears on the surface and the 12th on the Light Dragon.
What Are Dragon's Tears?
Dragon's Tears are crystallized memories embedded in the earth as massive ground drawings called Geoglyphs — patterns so large they're only visible from sky altitude. Each Geoglyph contains a glowing teardrop shape (the "tear") that, when touched, plays a memory of Zelda's journey 10,000 years in the past.
How to start: Find Impa near Rito Village or Kakariko Village at the start of your adventure. She's in a hot air balloon studying the Geoglyphs. After the first encounter, she explains the quest.
Reward for all 12: The full story of Zelda's sacrifice, the True Ending cutscene, and the revelation that Zelda is the Light Dragon — and the Master Sword is in her forehead.
Dragon's Tear Locations
Tear 1 — The Beginning of Memories
Geoglyph: A large spiral or serpentine drawing in the Eldin Canyon / Death Mountain region Access: Launch from Eldin Canyon Skyview Tower → fly east and look down for the ground drawing Memory reveals: The opening of Zelda's journey — arriving in the ancient Hyrule, meeting the ancient Sages
Tear 2 — The Mystery Begins
Geoglyph: Located in Akkala Highlands, northeast of Hyrule Castle Access: Ulri Mountain Skyview Tower launch → fly north-northeast. The geoglyph is visible as a ground pattern. Memory reveals: Zelda encounters Rauru and Sonia — the ancient Hyrule's founding rulers
Tear 3 — A Broken Mask
Geoglyph: In the Hebra Mountains / northwest Hyrule area Access: Rospro Pass or Pikida Stonegrove Tower → fly south. The geoglyph is on the mountainside. Memory reveals: Ganondorf arrives at ancient Hyrule's court and makes his false pledge of fealty
Tear 4 — The Father's Descendant
Geoglyph: In the Akkala Citadel / eastern coast area Access: Ulri Mountain Tower → fly east toward the coast. Check the terrain near the Citadel ruins. Memory reveals: Ganondorf's true motives are revealed — he seeks the Secret Stones
Tear 5 — A Show of Fealty
Geoglyph: In the Necluda region, central-eastern Hyrule Access: Popla Foothills Tower launch → fly east. Large geoglyph visible from altitude. Memory reveals: Sonia's sacrifice — Ganondorf strikes down the queen to obtain a Secret Stone
Tear 6 — The Resilience of Hyrule's People
Geoglyph: Hyrule Field area, central Hyrule Access: Lookout Landing / Hyrule Ridge Tower → fly over central field. This is one of the most accessible tears. Memory reveals: Rauru rallies the ancient Sages for a final battle against Ganondorf
Tear 7 — Guidance from Ages Past
Geoglyph: In the Gerudo Desert or Gerudo Highlands Access: Gerudo Highland Tower → fly north-northeast or directly across the desert. Large ground drawing in the sand. Memory reveals: Zelda explains to the ancient Sages that she has come from the future
Tear 8 — A King's Duty
Geoglyph: In the Lanayru region, east of Zora's Domain Access: Lanayru Skyview Tower → fly northwest. The geoglyph is in the highland area. Memory reveals: Rauru's decision — he will use his power to seal Ganondorf, sacrificing himself in the process
Tear 9 — An Inevitable Fate
Geoglyph: In the Faron region, south Hyrule Access: Popla Foothills Tower → fly south. The geoglyph is in the Faron jungle area. Memory reveals: Zelda faces the reality that she cannot return home — she is trapped in the past
Tear 10 — The Tears of the Dragon
Geoglyph: Central Hyrule or near Hyrule Castle Access: Hyrule Ridge Tower → fly around the central area. One of the largest geoglyphs. Memory reveals: Zelda's decision — she will swallow a Secret Stone and transform to preserve the Master Sword for 10,000 years
Tear 11 — Mineru's Counsel
Geoglyph: In the deep Faron or Necluda area (southeast Hyrule) Access: Popla Foothills Tower → fly southeast. May also be in the south Lanayru area. Memory reveals: Mineru advises Zelda on the consequences of transformation — and Zelda makes her final choice
Tear 12 — The Light Dragon (Special)
Location: NOT on the ground — on the Light Dragon itself
The 12th tear is on the Light Dragon's head. After collecting the first 11 tears, Impa reveals that the final memory is on the dragon.
How to get it:
- Locate the Light Dragon (it flies at high altitude above Hyrule in a slow circle)
- Reach it via Skyview Tower launch + paraglider
- Land on the dragon's back
- Navigate to its head
- Touch the glowing teardrop shape on the dragon's forehead
- The 12th memory plays
What the 12th memory reveals: The complete story — Zelda transforms into the Light Dragon before your eyes. The full emotional resolution of the storyline.
Bonus: After viewing the memory, the Master Sword embedded in the dragon's forehead becomes pullable. If you have enough stamina (2+ wheels recommended, or Enduring food for more), pull it now.
True Ending Requirement
Collecting all 12 tears is the hidden requirement for the True Ending of TotK:
- Without all 12 tears: Standard ending plays after defeating Ganondorf
- With all 12 tears: Extended ending sequence showing Zelda's restoration to human form
The True Ending is significantly more emotionally satisfying and is widely considered the canon ending. Collect all 12 before fighting Ganondorf.
Tips for Geoglyph Hunting
From the air: Geoglyphs are ONLY visible from altitude. Launch from any Skyview Tower and look straight down — the large ground patterns become obvious from 200+ meters up.
Impa's balloon: After meeting Impa initially, she travels between geoglyphs. She appears near each one as a bonus marker — if you see her balloon in the distance, a geoglyph (and tear) is nearby.
Shrine Sensor won't help: Dragon's Tears are not shrines. Use the Purah Pad's adventure log to track which memories you've collected.
Order doesn't matter: The memories play as narrative fragments that form a complete story. Any order works — the game sequences them into the final complete memory when you have all 12.
Related Guides
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
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