Bound Chest

Bound Chest
The Bound Chest
First appearance	The Minish Cap (2005)
Use	Sealing away evil

"The Picori Blade and the Bound Chest spoken of in Hylian lore... This chest must hold that which I seek! I'll relieve you of its contents now."

— Vaati

The Bound Chest as depicted in the prologue

The Bound Chest is an object from The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap. A Treasure Chest, the Bound Chest was used by the Hero of Men to seal away the army of evil during the War of the Bound Chest. Using the legendary Picori Blade, the Hero of Men trapped the evils of the earth in the Bound Chest and closed it tight by stabbing it shut with the sword.

During The Minish Cap, Vaati wins the Picori Festival Tournament, and is given permission to touch the Picori Blade. When this happens, Vaati uses the opportunity to destroy the legendary sword and open the Bound Chest in hopes of finding the Light Force. Instead, all this truly does is release the evils back into Hyrule. Princess Zelda's power is then revealed, and Vaati turns her to stone to keep her from causing him trouble later.

Possible Inspiration

The Bound Chest may be inspired by the Greek myth of Pandora's box.