Which ending is canon?

Which ending is canon in Hollow Knight? Team Cherry, the game's developer, has never officially confirmed a canonical ending, leaving all five possible conclusions open to interpretation and speculation among fans.

The Five Possible Endings

Hollow Knight features multiple endings depending on player actions and completion level:

- The Hollow Knight ending (basic completion)

- Sealed Siblings ending (with Void Heart charm)

- Dream No More ending (defeating the Radiance)

- Embrace the Void ending (Godmaster DLC)

- Delicate Flower ending (Godmaster DLC variant)

Evidence for Different Canonical Interpretations

Dream No More as Canon

Many players argue the "Dream No More" ending represents the true conclusion, as it involves completely destroying the Radiance rather than simply containing the infection. This ending requires the most effort and provides the most complete resolution to Hallownest's plague.

Godmaster Endings

The Godmaster DLC endings, particularly "Embrace the Void," offer alternative interpretations where the Knight transcends its original purpose. However, these occur within the dream realm of Godhome, raising questions about their impact on the physical world.

Why No Official Canon?

Team Cherry's decision to avoid confirming a canonical ending aligns with Hollow Knight's themes of ambiguity and player interpretation. The game's environmental storytelling and cryptic narrative encourage players to draw their own conclusions about the Knight's ultimate fate and Hallownest's future.

Impact on Hollow Knight: Silksong

With the upcoming sequel focusing on Hornet in the kingdom of Pharloom, the ambiguity surrounding Hollow Knight's canonical ending becomes less critical to the overarching story progression.

This deliberate narrative ambiguity makes Hollow Knight's lore endlessly fascinating to dissect. What's your interpretation of the Knight's true destiny?