It's commonly accepted the stylized eye signifies Sheikah people, but that doesn't make sense to me. Individuals, like Vatti, Agahnim, Interlopers/Twili, and Veran (maybe Majora), don a stylized eye, but they are not Sheikah. Observing art work, and reading on certain characters and historical events brought me to a grand conclusion-
The eye symbol is a symbol for affiliates of a Demise's Cult.
The beginning cut-scenes of Skyward Sword shows Demise has loyalists when trying to take the Goddesses’ power. I can vision a group of humans being awed by the power of Demise and his goal to gain the power of the deities. Marveled, and maybe feared by Demise’s power, a cult was formed in his honor. Along with revering Demise, the cultists probably also dabbled in theology (knowledge of the Goddesses' power), sorcery (wizards, Fused Shadows, Alter of Demon King), and mysticism of reality and truth (Trinity of Truth). Since an eye is a commonly used symbol for real-world occults, I think it's a short stretch of imagination LoZ creators intend the stylized eye be as that.
At some point a group broke away from the cult's practices and eventually swore fidelity to Hylia. The breakaway group became the Sheikah we all know and love. If my speculation of Demise Cult studied truth is correct (or a really awesome fanfiction), the Sheikah are the cultists who studied truth and reality, because they possess relics. Most likely they broke away from Demise’s Cult because they saw the ‘truth’ of what will if their deity successfully took possession of the Triforce. While Shikah still mark themselves with a stylized eye, they differentiate themselves from the rest of the cult by adding the tear drop. The others, such as Twili, Bellum, and Vatti, don’t have a stylized tear drop.
The Demise Cult could explain why most humans who wear the stylized eye look different from other humans. Because a smaller group of people who stayed on the surface, instead of refuging to Skyloft, their genetic pool became more selective. Red eyes, white and red hair, and mutated skin color (I’m open to speculate discoloration is an outward sign the individual is possessed) became prominent physical traits of the cult. The specific physical features still show up because counter cultures beliefs like to 'keep in the family' generally speaking. Villainous characters, like Chancellor Cole and Twinrova, don't wear an eye insignia, but has some of distinguishable physical features mentioned.
A cult could also explain why there are individuals who are constantly trying to revive the darkly Demon King. Devoted followers of Demise still exist, and still try to revive him -either through Ganon or Malladus. They hope Demise will get his wish, and become the ultimate god of old. And being disciples of #1 can feel pretty good, maybe even powerful.
So, if you come across someone with an eye, but no tear drop, it's best to run 'em through, they might have a wicked connection.
It's really some idea I've been dabbling with. Do what you want with it.
The eye symbol is a symbol for affiliates of a Demise's Cult.
The beginning cut-scenes of Skyward Sword shows Demise has loyalists when trying to take the Goddesses’ power. I can vision a group of humans being awed by the power of Demise and his goal to gain the power of the deities. Marveled, and maybe feared by Demise’s power, a cult was formed in his honor. Along with revering Demise, the cultists probably also dabbled in theology (knowledge of the Goddesses' power), sorcery (wizards, Fused Shadows, Alter of Demon King), and mysticism of reality and truth (Trinity of Truth). Since an eye is a commonly used symbol for real-world occults, I think it's a short stretch of imagination LoZ creators intend the stylized eye be as that.
At some point a group broke away from the cult's practices and eventually swore fidelity to Hylia. The breakaway group became the Sheikah we all know and love. If my speculation of Demise Cult studied truth is correct (or a really awesome fanfiction), the Sheikah are the cultists who studied truth and reality, because they possess relics. Most likely they broke away from Demise’s Cult because they saw the ‘truth’ of what will if their deity successfully took possession of the Triforce. While Shikah still mark themselves with a stylized eye, they differentiate themselves from the rest of the cult by adding the tear drop. The others, such as Twili, Bellum, and Vatti, don’t have a stylized tear drop.
The Demise Cult could explain why most humans who wear the stylized eye look different from other humans. Because a smaller group of people who stayed on the surface, instead of refuging to Skyloft, their genetic pool became more selective. Red eyes, white and red hair, and mutated skin color (I’m open to speculate discoloration is an outward sign the individual is possessed) became prominent physical traits of the cult. The specific physical features still show up because counter cultures beliefs like to 'keep in the family' generally speaking. Villainous characters, like Chancellor Cole and Twinrova, don't wear an eye insignia, but has some of distinguishable physical features mentioned.
A cult could also explain why there are individuals who are constantly trying to revive the darkly Demon King. Devoted followers of Demise still exist, and still try to revive him -either through Ganon or Malladus. They hope Demise will get his wish, and become the ultimate god of old. And being disciples of #1 can feel pretty good, maybe even powerful.
So, if you come across someone with an eye, but no tear drop, it's best to run 'em through, they might have a wicked connection.
It's really some idea I've been dabbling with. Do what you want with it.
