Hylian


 * See also: Hylian Language

The Hylians are a race of humans from the country of Hyrule. Their appearance differs from that of other humans in that they have pointed ears, like typical fantasy elves. The best-known Hylians are the legendary hero Link and Princess Zelda.

Hylians were the first race to establish organized civilization in ancient Hyrule, though in Twilight Princess, the Oocca are said to have aided them. Unlike several other races in the series, Hylians tend to live in highly populated cities.

The term "Hylian" generally refers to a member of the Hylian race, as opposed to "Hyrulean", which refers to any inhabitant of Hyrule. According to the A Link to the Past instruction manual, Hylians were born with magic-infused blood, endowing them with psychic powers and skill in wizardry. It is also believed that the Hylians's pointed ears allow them to hear the messages of the gods and telepathic messages sent by other Hylians. Despite their appearance, the word "elf" is never used to describe them in the Legend of Zelda series. They likely derive their name from the Goddess Hylia.

Physical Appearance
Hylians have pointed ears, are pale-skinned, and they vary in different heights. Hylians usually have chiseled chins and a straight, upturned nose.

Their garments are very European and medieval-looking. The lower classes usually wear casual clothing; Hylian males tend to wear belt leather jerkins, and females wear long gowns in many different colors; Hyrulean symbols are often part of the embroidery in their dresses. Tall buns are common in women, while men of the working class ussually wear broad-brimmed hats in order to protect their skin from the sun and the rain. Men also wear knee-length leather boots.

It has been observed that the higher classes including royalty wear complex and luxurious jewelry including precious metals & gemstones such as gold and rubies.

Hyrule
In Ocarina of Time, most Hylians seem to live within the fortified walls of Hyrule Castle Town or the small, neighboring village of Kakariko. Besides living in the bustling marketplace, other citizens of the kingdom inhabit territory outside of the protected city.

The Hylians seem to have the dominion all over Hyrule, as their established monarchy is the highest reigning power all over the land and other lesser crowns like the Zoras or the Gerudos.

The language of the Hylians, known simply as Hylian, has taken many forms throughout the games. In Ocarina of Time and The Wind Waker, it is derived from Japanese hiragana and katakana. However, the Hylian shown in Twilight Princess and Skyward Sword is derived from the Latin alphabet.

Termina
The Hylians from Termina live, like their Ocarina of Time counterparts, in a big, central city. There is only one significant difference between the Hylians from Hyrule and the ones from Termina: magic and technology. While the Hylians from Hyrule are magic-users, the Terminan Hylians focus on technology and seem to care or know little, if any, for the sacred Triforce and the Three Goddesses. Instead, they honor the Four Giants, the gods who shaped Termina and continue to guard it.