Hylian


 * See also: Hylian Language

The Hylians are a human-like race in the fictional country of Hyrule. Their appearance differs from that of 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' pointed ears allow them to hear the messages of the gods. Despite their appearance, the word "elf" is never used in the Legend of Zelda series, as it's an incorrect way to refer to them.

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 ancient language of the Hylians, known simply as Hylian, is derived from Japanese hiragana and katakana. However, the Hylian shown in Twilight Princess is derived from the Latin alphabet (romaji).

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