Sheikah
- This article is about the race. For the language, see Sheikah (Language).
Special | Magical abilities related to time, shadow, and sealing | |
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The Sheikah are one of the classic races of The Legend of Zelda series. They were an advanced civilization with power and wisdom that saved Hyrule time and time again.[1] They seem to live in a state of perpetual near-extinction. One Sheikah in particular, Impa, has appeared regularly since the original The Legend of Zelda.
Ocarina of Time
The Sheikah are seen as guardians of the Royal Family, though the only one seen in this capacity is Impa. She appears during the first visit to Hyrule Castle and teaches Link the melody of Zelda's Lullaby. She also points Link in the direction of Death Mountain, and mentions the village she once fostered, Kakariko Village.
In the future, Princess Zelda disguises herself by magically transforming into Sheik, a male Sheikah, and appears often in order to guide Link throughout his journey. She teaches Link the six warp songs, in addition to revealing some of Hyrule's history.
Art of Impa from Ocarina of Time
Impa from Ocarina of Time
Sheik from Ocarina of Time
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Twilight Princess
The Sheikah are mentioned in Twilight Princess, and two Sheikah do appear: Impaz, a descendant of an incarnation of Impa, and Fanadi, a fortune teller who resides in Hyrule Castle Town. It is revealed that the Sheikah once acted as mediators between the Hyrulean Royal Family and the Oocca, a tribe of Cucco-like, sky dwellers.
Skyward Sword
Impa is the only Sheikah that makes an appearance in Skyward Sword. She is a tall, slender woman with a tan complexion and blonde hair. Her attire consists of navy, yellow and orange colors, as well as a Sheikah symbol on the abdominal portion of her clothing. Link first encounters her when he ventures into Eldin Volcano, and she assists him by creating a bridge for him to cross. In addition to that, she also informs him that Zelda is ahead. The second time Link encounters her, she acts somewhat brash. She tells Link that he was too late to save Zelda, and she begins to question why the Goddess even chose him in the first place. As she guides Zelda into the light with her, it becomes evident that Impa is the alleged Servant of the Goddess.
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Breath of the Wild
- See also: Yiga Clan
The Sheikah Tribe dwell primarily in Kakariko Village in Breath of the Wild. Impa resides here also, living with her granddaughter, Paya, in the biggest house in the village, with guards outside. Unlike previous installments, which featured only one or two Sheikah, if any, the Sheikah here are seen as a large, thriving race. 21 living Sheikah can be encountered, as well as 120 Sheikah Monks (24 more with the DLC). Sheikah are easily distinguishable by beige, red and navy blue clothes, as well as head-mounted umbrellas, both of which may only be worn Sheikah, and no-one else, including Link.[2][3] For the first time, Sheikah are met who belong to group other than the Sheikah Tribe. They are the hundreds of Yiga Clansmen who unwaveringly wage war upon all other Hyruleans, including Sheikah Tribesmen, in the name of Calamity Ganon.
- Some Sheikah from Breath of the Wild
Tears of the Kingdom
All of the Sheikah from Breath of the Wild (excluding the Sheikah Monks) make a return in Tears of the Kingdom. There are also new Sheikah, like the young prodigy Josha. Thanks to the Upheaval - primarily the arrival of the Ring Ruins in Kakariko Village - the Sheikah Tribe is now more integrated with the other races than during the time of the Great Calamity. Conversely, the Yiga Clan are now more shut away in Hideouts and Caves, as well as numerous bases in the Depths where they study Zonai artifacts. They are lead again by Master Kohga, who seems to have faked his death during his previous encounter with Link.
Echoes of Wisdom
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The presence of the Sheikah in Echoes of Wisdom is hinted at in the trailer. An old man, striking a resemblance to Robbie, is shown in a small abode, where he has a stereotypical Sheikah cushion, light and hat. Immediately after, a venerable old lady, seemingly Impa, is shown defeating three guards with superhuman speed and agility; the Crest of the Sheikah is present on the back of her cloak.
Trivia
- Sheik is known for playing music on her harp in Ocarina of Time. Her harp, or rather, lyre, looks very similar to the Goddess's Harp from Skyward Sword.
- Atmus and the Purah Pad claim that the Sheikah are a type of Hylian. However, as shown in Skyward Sword, the Sheikah are actually a nonhuman race.[4][5][6] It may be that the Sheikah are purposefully spreading a lie to blend in with the Hylians, as they are said to function best when hidden from public view.[7]
- According to Purah, the only Sheikah who experienced the Great Calamity and survived to the modern day are Impa, Robbie and herself.[8] However, even though they may not have experienced it, it seems some of the other elderly Sheikah were alive at that time, if only residing in Kakariko Village; Steen had seen Link's face 100 years ago and remembered it to the present,[9] and Symin is able to recall a tightness in his chest before the Calamity struck.[10]
- Nonetheless, not all of the Sheikah elders are centenarians. As seen in Age of Calamity, Mellie's Plum Garden still contained Fortified Pumpkins at the time of the Calamity, meaning Mellie had yet to be born.[11]
References
- ↑ "Long ago, an advanced civilization known as the Sheikah inhabited these lands. It was the power and wisdom of the Sheikah that saved this land time and time again. But their civilization disappeared long ago...or so it is said." — Old Man, Breath of the Wild.
- ↑ The folks in Kakariko Village have really amazing clothes that let them work out in the rain with no problem. Amazing! But only the Sheikah people can wear 'em, so they won't sell us any... - Sagessa
- ↑ Look at you, out in the rain with no umbrella! I'd lend you mine, but it's actually a special umbrella... Only members of the Sheikah tribe are permitted to use it. Sorry... Please mind you don't catch a cold, OK? - Mellie
- ↑ "All human beings live on floating islands in the sky. The islands are so high in the air that the only birds that can reach them are Loftwings. Their isolation allows the humans to worship their goddess and live in peace." — page 20, Hyrule Historia
- ↑ "THE SEALED GROUNDS
This is where Link lands when he first arrives from the sky. An evil being slumbers here. It is also where the goddess slept for thousands of years under the protection of the Sheikah." — page 40, Hyrule Historia - ↑ "THE SURFACE TRIBES
Nonhuman tribes, such as the stone-eating Goron." — page 71, Hyrule Historia - ↑ "The existence of the Sheikah is typically kept a secret to all but members of the royal family and those close to them. Their tribe best fulfills its duty when acting in secret, as shadows of Hyrule." — page 44, Encyclopedia
- ↑ "There are only three Sheikah remaining who experienced the Great Calamity of 100 years ago... Robbie of the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab, Impa of Kakariko Village, and me." — Purah, Breath of the Wild
- ↑ "I haven't seen you around here before... But there's something so familiar about that face of yours... Ohhhh, yes. I remember now. It was long ago, when the Calamity hit...but you look just like the swordsman who was trying to stop it." — Steen, Breath of the Wild
- ↑ "I understand you'll be headed soon to Hyrule Castle to investigate the reports of strange phenomena there. I trust you'll be fine with Link at your side. Nevertheless, I can't shake this strange tightness in my chest. It's similar to what I felt right before the Calamity, come to think of it." — School Notes, Tears of the Kingdom
- ↑ "These plums here were planted by Impa on the day I was born. They're special to me, so I keep a close watch on them." — Mellie, Breath of the Wild