- This page only includes Eye symbols with clear links to the Sheikah tribe for similar symbols with unknown relation to the Sheikah like Agahnim, the Fused Shadow or the Timeshift Stone see Eye Symbol.
The Crest of the Sheikah,[1] also known as the Sheikah Eye,[name reference needed] is a recurring Symbol in The Legend of Zelda series. The eye is open wide to seek the truth, while the teardrop represents the willingness of the tribe to go to any lengths to achieve a goal.[1] The crest is said to ward off evil,[2] and it is customary for Sheikah to tattoo it on their skin to honor their ancestors.[3]
Overview[]
Ocarina of Time[]
This is where the tear-drop eye symbol first appeared. From the beginning it had its basic form, an eye in the middle with three triangular lashes on top and a tear drop coming down from the pupil. It was the proud symbol of the mysterious Sheikah, the shadow race of Hyrule. The symbol seems to have been a very important part of Sheikah culture. They placed it all throughout the sacred Shadow Temple, and on their artifacts, including the Lens of Truth, the Gossip Stones, and the Mask of Truth. They also seem to have commonly placed it on their attire, as both Impa, the Sheikah sage of Shadows, and Sheik (Princess Zelda disguised as a Sheikah) placed it on their clothing.
Majora's Mask[]
The Wind Waker[]
In The Wind Waker, a version of the eye symbol can be seen on the Shields hanging at the door of the grounded ship atop Forsaken Fortress, where Ganondorf dwells. Although the tear is bigger and the eye smaller, it is still very close in appearance to the Sheikah eye symbol. Why such a symbol would appear there is a mystery, although it may indicate that the pirate ship where it is found was once crewed by Sheikah-descended pirates or that the shields came into the possession of the pirates without the pirates being associated with the Sheikah. Forsaken Fortress is known to have once been a pirate hideout, though not much is known of them.[4] The eye symbol also appeared in the room containing the Master Sword, where it is displayed with only one triangular eyelash instead of the usual three in the stained glass window of Impa above her head.
The hem of Mrs. Marie's robe is lined with Crests of the Sheikah. The Hero's Charm she gives Link is a mask consisting of two conjoined Sheikah Eyes. If she receives 20 or more extra Joy Pendants (for a total of 40 or more), she will express her joy by rewarding Link with the Hero's Charm.
Twilight Princess[]
The Symbol is displayed on the back of Princess Zelda's black cloak, showing the continued link of the Royal family of Hyrule and the Sheikah tribe. Also, the eye symbol features prominently on the Howling Stones, in the same way as the Gossip Stones from Ocarina of Time. It is also seen on the forehead of Madame Fanadi.
Skyward Sword[]
The Eye Symbol also appears in Skyward Sword. The symbol can be seen all over Impa, on her clothing, tattoos and face paint. The symbol also appears on Gossip Stones and Sheikah Stones.
Breath of the Wild[]
In Breath of the Wild, a newer design of the Sheikah's Eye Symbol is introduced, featuring an iris with pupil, and a circular motif surrounding the symbol. The symbol can be seen on the Sheikah Slate, and on the terminals found within Ancient Shrines and Sheikah Towers. When Link activates a terminal with the Sheikah Slate, data is transferred from the terminal to the slate in the form of a falling tear. The faces of all of the Sheikah Monks have a tattoo bearing the old pupil-less Eye Symbol, which is also depicted on veils the cover the faces of many Monks. Paya also bears the symbol on her forehead, as facial markings. The Yiga Clan, being a splinter group of the Sheikah, uses an inverted Eye Symbol as their emblem.
Other Appearances[]
Trivia[]
- The Crest of the Sheikah is used as Breath of the Wild Link’s emblem in the game Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.
Gallery[]
The Eye Symbol from Ocarina of Time
The Eye Symbol from Breath of the Wild
Yiga Symbol from Breath of the Wild
Artwork of the Shadow Temple's entrance from Ocarina of Time
The Lens of Truth resembling the Eye Symbol from Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask
The Mask of Truth featuring the Eye Symbol from Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask
Gossip Stone featuring the Eye Symbol from Ocarina of Time 3D and Majora's Mask 3D
Hero's Charm from The Wind Waker
Mrs. Marie from The Wind Waker
Zelda's cloak bearing the Eye Symbol from Twilight Princess
Howling Stone featuring the Eye Symbol from Twilight Princess
Madame Fanadi's Eye Symbol from Twilight Princess
Sheikah Stone from Skyward Sword
Moonlight Merchant from Skyward Sword
Impa's attack featuring the Eye Symbol from Hyrule Warriors
The Eye Symbol on the Sheikah Slate from Breath of the Wild
The Monk, Kalm Yu'ogh, bearing the Eye Symbol on his facial cloth covering from Breath of the Wild
The Monk, Keh Namut, bearing the Eye Symbol as a tattoo on his forehead from Breath of the Wild
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Encyclopedia, Dark Horse Books, pg. 44
- ↑ "Oh! Are you perhaps referring to this crest? This symbol is a sort of talisman for the Sheikah. It wards off evil." — Paya (Breath of the Wild)
- ↑ "It is customary for those with a long Sheikah lineage to have this crest inked onto their skin to honor their past." — Paya (Breath of the Wild)
- ↑ "There are all sorts of strange rumors about this place. What I do know is that long ago, it used to be a hideout of a no-good group of pirates we used to compete with... " — Tetra (The Wind Waker)