Sheikah

"Have you heard the legend of the "Shadow Folk"? They are the Sheikah...the shadows of the Hylians. They say they swore allegiance to the King of Hyrule and guarded the Royal Family..."

- Shikashi

The Sheikah (シーカー Shīkā), or Shadow Folk, are a secretive, magical race devoted to the great Golden Goddesses and the Royal Family of Hyrule. They are a warrior race known for their skill in magic and their stealth combat skills, earning the epithet "Shadows of the Hylians". Much mystery surrounds this race, as only three of its known members are depicted in the games, leaving room for speculation regarding their race's history. It is known, however, that they were the founders of Kakariko Village and are implied to have constructed the Shadow Temple. In ancient times, the Sheikah tribe maintained contact with the race of Sky Beings known as the Oocca. Zelda's nursemaid Impa is a Sheikah and the Sage of Shadow. Their race's Eye Symbol has constantly reappeared throughout the series, even in games which do not feature the Sheikah themselves, only adding to the mystery surrounding their race. The Sheikah are recognized by their distinctive red eyes, their pointed ears, and the Sheikah emblem they usually wear. Their tribe's memory has lived on in the generations following their disappearance by means of several magical inventions they created as well as a number of legends passed down by their tribe that would have powerful ramifications for Hyrule and its people for many ages to come.

Ocarina of Time
begins at a time when very few members of the Sheikah tribe remain, though it is implied that they were nearly wiped out defending the Royal Family of Hyrule during the Hyrulean Civil War. The primary member of the tribe featured in the game is Impa, the tall, athletic female attendant and guardian of Princess Zelda. She sports the characteristic red eyes and pointed ears that are identifying features of the Sheikah tribe. She is also shown to exhibit the ability to vanish in a flash of light literally in the blink of an eye, hinting at the agility and combative prowess of her tribe. Likewise, a Sheikah named Sheik is also featured, where the young shadow warrior boasts many of the same abilities and characteristics as Impa and assists the Hero of Time in locating each of the five temples located throughout Hyrule to awaken each of the Seven Sages.

Kakariko Village was once a Sheikah settlement, before Impa, who was born and raised there, opened it to all tribes of the land. The Graveyard behind the village is the resting place of the Sheikah and the location of the Shadow Temple.

Link is also able to acquire from the Happy Mask Shop the Mask of Truth, a creation of the Sheikah tribe that allows communication with the Gossip Stones left around Hyrule by the tribe. Each of these stones bears the Sheikah symbol and can whisper secrets to one possessing this mask. Another artifact, the Lens of Truth, is implied to be Sheikah in origin as well, as it is found deep in the Bottom of the Well that Impa sealed and is shaped like the Sheikah eye.

In the second half of the game, Link is introduced to the mysterious survivor of the Sheikah tribe, Sheik, who gives Link hints about where to find the five temples located around Hyrule and later reveals to him a previously unknown legend of the Triforce passed down by the Sheikah, which states that only one pure of heart may claim the Triforce in its entirety and transform the Sacred Realm into a paradise; Otherwise, if that one's heart is not in balance, he or she will inherit the Triforce only in part (transforming the Sacred Realm into a world of evil in the process), while the other parts will go to two special people chosen by destiny, who will bear the Triforce mark on the backs of their hands. While on his quest to awaken the Seven Sages, Link goes in search of the Sage of Shadow after realizing that an evil shadow spirit named Bongo Bongo, who had previoiusly been sealed at the bottom of the Kakariko Well by Impa, has escaped and taken over the Shadow Temple.

Sheik reveals to the Hero of Time that Impa is one of the Sages and has gone to the Shadow Temple to try to re-cage the beast. After being taught the Nocturne of Shadow by Sheik, the Hero of Time ventures into the so-called "House of the Dead" in search of Impa and the shadow beast, armed with the Lens of Truth, another Sheikah artifact that has the ability to see through illusions. When he succeeds in vanquishing Bongo Bongo, Link witnesses the awakening of Impa as the Sage of Shadow, who implores him to look after Princess Zelda in her stead thereafter. After the Hero of Time succeeds in rescuing all of the Seven Sages, Sheik is revealed to be Princess Zelda in disguise, having hidden behind the mask of Sheik to evade Ganondorf for seven years. After the King of Evil is defeated, Impa uses her power as the Sage of Shadow to help the other Sages seal Ganondorf in the void of the Evil Realm that was formerly the Sacred Realm. She is last seen overlooking a jubilant Hyrule from atop Death Mountain alongside most of the other Sages.

Oracle of Seasons and Oracle of Ages
The Oracle series seemingly depicts only one member of the Sheikah tribe, once again Princess Zelda's nursemaid, Impa, though she is depicted in a very different physical form and yet retains the classical red eyes and pointed ears in this incarnation. She also exhibits superhuman strength in this game, a difference from her Ocarina of Time depiction. This is likely made possible from her very different physique, which depicts her as being very robust and large-framed, in contrast with her more slender, athletic body-type depicted in Ocarina of Time. Apart from Impa's presence, no other indicators of the Sheikah appear to be present in either of the games apart from a similar eye symbol that appears on the gown of Veran, the Sorceress of Shadows and primary villain of Oracle of Ages.

In both games, Impa has been sent by Princess Zelda to retrieve Din, the Oracle of Seasons, and Nayru, the Oracle of Ages, from the lands of Holodrum and Labrynna respectively due to nightmares Zelda has been having about darkness drawing around the two Oracles. In Oracle of Seasons, Impa poses as the cook for the troupe of Din, hoping to smuggle her out of Holodrum to the safety of Hyrule, though this effort is thwarted by Onox, the General of Darkness, who captures Din and injures Impa amongst others in the process. She largely stays in her refuge north of Horon Village for the rest of the game.

Meanwhile, in Oracle of Ages, the lone Sheikah plays a slightly larger role in the opening events of the game, where she is possessed by Veran, the Sorceress of Shadows, and is used as a puppet to gain Link's trust and have him remove a barrier preventing her from reaching the Oracle of Ages. After she succeeds in this effort, the evil sorceress leaves Impa's body and jumps into Nayru's before traveling back in time. Veran's possession of Impa is revealed to have greatly weakened her, at least temporarily, and she remains at Nayru's House in the Forest of Time for much of the remainder of the game. In the Linked Ending of both games, Impa offers vocal and emotional support for Link as he faces the true villains behind the events of both games, Twinrova, and is there to celebrate at the defeat of the Gerudo witches and the thwarting of their attempt to resurrect Ganon.

Twilight Princess
Twilight Princess once again depicts few candidate members of the Sheikah tribe: Impaz, who resides in the forgotten Hidden Village and professes to be named after the founder of the village (heavily implied to be Impa), and Madame Fanadi, a fortune-teller who bears the Sheikah Eye Symbol on her forehead and also possesses the two classical features of the Sheikah, red eyes and pointed ears; She is skilled in magic as the tribe was said to have been. Though Impaz is heavily implied to be one of the few remaining Sheikah (even possessing Sheikah heirlooms), Madame Fanadi's status is only hinted at by her appearance and use of the Sheikah symbol, leaving her relation to the tribe shrouded in mystery.

Signs of Sheikah civilization appear in the game, such as the presence of a statue bearing the Eye of the Sheikah that was given by Impaz to Ilia when she was imprisoned in the Hidden Village by Bulblins as well as the Howling Stones, which bear a strong resemblance to the Gossip Stones shown in Ocarina of Time. A sign over the entrance to the Hidden Village, when translated from Hylian, reads "Welcome to Old Kakariko", implying that the Hidden Village may have been the Kakariko Village featured in Ocarina of Time. This is supported by a statement made by Impaz, saying that the village was once home to the proud tribe that protected the Hylian royalty. The Sheikah are implied to have been well-known amongst the Gorons of Death Mountain, who state that the tribe dwindled in the prolonged wars, as well as the Oocca of the City in the Sky, who left the Ancient Sky Book in the hands of the Sheikah some time before they lost touch with the surface-dwellers of Hyrule.

Curiously, the Sheikah symbol makes an appearance on the back of the robes worn by the imprisoned Princess Zelda when Link meets her for the first time in the overthrown Hyrule Castle. In addition, when she is seen in her royal garb later in the game, her shoulder pads also bear the Sheikah symbol, with blue gems serving as the eyes. The symbol also appears on the back of the Fused Shadow as well as above the throne of the ruler of the Twilight Realm in the Palace of Twilight. It has also been noted that Luda, the daughter of Renado, bears a similar symbol on the back of her clothing.

After she is abducted from Ordon Village by the henchmen of King Bulblin, Ilia is brought to the Hidden Village, where she befriends fellow prisoner Impaz. Shortly before helping Ilia escape the village, Impaz gave her a parting gift, a Wooden Statue that was an heirloom of her clan, and Ilia left behind with Impaz a charm she had made for Link. When Ilia made her way to Hyrule Castle Town, she visited a doctor and forgot the statue in his office when she developed amnesia and forgot all about her past, before she was taken in by the kind barmaid Telma. Meanwhile, Impaz remained captive in the Hidden Village, now overrun by Bulblins.

Some time later, Link comes in search of the Hidden Village on a quest to restore Ilia's lost memory after returning the statue to Ilia, who remembered that a kind person that gave it to her helped her escape. The Goron elders who were nearby noted that they had seen the statue's Eye Symbol before, stating that it was the symbol of a tribe that had once served the Royal Family that lived in a lonely place hidden away from the world. After Darbus cleared the pathway to the village, Link put his archery skills to use and purged what remained of the village of the Bulblins afflicting it. It was then that he met with Impaz, who stated that she was the last member of the village and that she was named for the great one who founded the village. After speaking to her about Ilia, Link receives the charm Ilia had left behind from Impaz and takes it back to Kakariko Village, where the sight of it fully restores Ilia's memory to normal.

Shortly after this, Link returns to the Hidden Village after hearing Ilia mention something she heard about the "Rod of the Heavens" and the Oocca from Impaz. After showing the Dominion Rod to Impaz, the overjoyed old woman declares that Link must be the fabled "Messenger to the Heavens" she has long been waiting for and gives him the Ancient Sky Book, an relic left in the hands of the Sheikah tribe long ago before the Oocca lost touch with surface dwellers and a vital clue to reaching the Oocca's legendary home, the City in the Sky. This action fulfills her obligation by royal decree to remain in the village to await the heavenly messenger.

Cameos
While no actual members of the Sheikah tribe make an appearance in these games, references to them and their symbolism remain.

Majora's Mask
The Sheikah tribe's name appears in the in-game description of certain artifacts, including the Mask of Truth. In addition to its normal power to allow the wearer to communicate with Gossip Stones, the Mask of Truth is also said to possess the power to read the minds of animals in this game, a notable difference from the power it possessed in Ocarina of Time. The appearance of these artifacts in the land of Termina has given rise to speculation that the tribe perhaps existed in Termina at one time as well, mirroring the appearances of most other tribes from Hyrule that are also found in Termina.

The Wind Waker


In The Wind Waker, a modified version of their symbol makes a small appearance near the top of the Forsaken Fortress, where it can be seen hanging next to the door leading to Ganondorf's chamber. In addition, the human mailman Baito possesses a tattoo on his back depicting the Sheikah symbol, implying he may have some connection to the tribe. The symbol also appears as a feature of the Hero's Charm, a golden mask whose eyes both resemble the Eye of the Sheikah. This mask gives the wearer the ability to look into the life forces of his or her enemies, thus providing a means to judge their strength. An advanced version of the Gossip Stone is also seen in the game, under the new name of the Pirate's Charm, which is said to have been made by King Daphnes Nohansen Hyrule, hinting at the Royal Family's connection to the tribe.

In a direct reference to the Sheikah however, an image of Impa, the Sage of Shadow from Ocarina of Time, appears in one of the stained-glass windows of the chamber that is home to the Master Sword in the basement of Hyrule Castle, alongside the rest of the Seven Sages that sealed Ganondorf away. The orb above her image marks yet another appearance of the Eye of the Sheikah, serving as the representative symbol of the Sage of Shadow.

Phantom Hourglass and Spirit Tracks
Gossip Stones return in Phantom Hourglass and Spirit Tracks, where in this appearance Link can communicate with the stones without the benefit of the Mask of Truth. These Gossip Stones can unlock certain challenges or reveal the locations of certain treasures in various dungeons. The design of the Gossip Stones in this game is slightly different from the design used in Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask. For example, the eye appearing on the stones is more circular than other depictions of the symbol featured previously in the series. It is unknown how these stones came to exist in the World of the Ocean King and why they appear somewhat different from those featured in previous games, though some suspect that this could be due to the disappearance of the Sheikah tribe and, like the land of Termina, the World of the Ocean King may also have once housed a sect of the tribe as well.

Characteristics and Abilities
The Sheikah are a humanoid race, bearing great resemblance to the Hylian race in both appearance and magical capacity. As far as physical features go, the two identifying features that distinguish a Sheikah from other humanoid races are their distinctive red eyes and their pointed ears, though they share the latter with the Hylian race. The distinctive red eyes are the sole physiological difference that sets the Sheikah apart from the Hylians.

The relationship of the Sheikah to the Hylian race is unknown. It is true that the Hylians do share certain characteristics with the Sheikah, primarily their pointed ears and their ability to make use of magic. For example, the alter ego of Princess Zelda is a Sheikah named Sheik, who possesses both the red eyes and pointed ears that are exclusive of the Sheikah race; It is unknown exactly how she achieved this however, whether by magic or by means of a simple disguise, thus throwing this instance of a Hylian-Sheikah crossover into question. On the other hand, Zelda does wear a robe displaying the Sheikah Eye Symbol in the later game of Twilight Princess and even possesses the mark on her regal gown's shoulder pads as well, though this could simply be a reference to the Royal Family's relationship with the Sheikah rather than the Hylian race at large.

As far as character goes, the Sheikah have always been portrayed as loyal and true to the Royal Family of Hyrule since the inception of the tribe into the series with. A good example of this behavior was Impa's steadfast shielding and protection of Princess Zelda as the two made their getaway from Ganondorf when the latter invaded Hyrule Castle in that same game. Despite their mysterious nature and their shadowy magic, they have always been portrayed as being rather selfless overall, evidenced once again with Impaz's assistance of both Ilia and Link in.

The Sheikah seem to put their magic to even greater use both in technology as well as combat. For example, the Sheikah have been notable for their creation of such powerful magical artifacts as the Mask of Truth, the Lens of Truth and their race's Gossip Stones, as well as their ability to use magic to improve their stealth skills, such as their ability to vanish in a bright flash of light without a trace, giving them an edge in dangerous situations.

Artifacts
The Sheikah were noted to have been very capable craftsmen and magical inventors. Relics of their tribe that possess unique magical powers have survived the generations and still function as they were originally intended. They had an affinity for powers related to the element of shadows (hence their tribe's nickname) and thus showed an aptitude for developing tools that could help the wielder see through illusions or learn secrets that may not seem apparent to the user.

Lens of Truth
The Lens of Truth is a powerful Sheikah artifact that, when used in conjunction with Magic Power, will allow its wielder to see through any illusion and thus see the "truth" of their surroundings. Its appearance is heavily based upon the Eye Symbol that is the insignia of the Sheikah tribe, with the actual lens acting as the "eye", the gems atop it acting as the "eyelashes", and the handle acting as the "tear". This artifact is also known by the alternate name of the "Eye of Truth." It is said that the Lens of Truth was once owned by a man who lived in Kakariko Village, and its is implied that he buried it underneath his house in the Bottom of the Well. The lens has appeared in both the lands of Hyrule and Termina, each time fulfilling the same function.

Mask of Truth
The Mask of Truth is a uniquely powerful mask that was also crafted by the Sheikah before their disappearance. Its most notable feature is the presence of the distinctive Sheikah Eye Symbol that adorns much of the mask's surface in colors of red and yellow on a mask of white. However its true power is all the more fascinating in that it allows the wearer to communicate with the Gossip Stones that are scattered across different lands including Hyrule and Termina and thus unlock the secrets each holds.

Stone of Agony
The Stone of Agony is a companion relic to the Lens of Truth and the Mask of Truth that allows the possessor to "feel" the truth of their surroundings as the stone will vibrate when a secret is nearby. Link acquires the Stone of Agony from one of the cursed residents of the House of Skulltula in Kakariko Village after destroying 20 Gold Skulltulas. The stone has a unique shape and possesses the symbol of the Triforce on its surface. As it is confirmed to be a companion relic to the Lens of Truth and is acquired in Kakariko Village, it too is thought to be a Sheikah creation and is speculated to be part of a set of objects meant to help one be fully aware of the truth of their surroundings through the senses of sight, hearing and touch.

Gossip Stones
The Gossip Stones are a series of enchanted stones that bear the Sheikah emblem and were created to act as observation tools that would gather information and reveal it to the one bearing the Mask of Truth.. While they are found primarily in Hyrule, they are also found in other lands such as Termina and the World of the Ocean King, the only notable difference being that the version within the latter does not require use of the Mask of Truth.

At first, when struck, the stones would only reveal the time of the day to Link. Their reaction changes with the Mask of Truth. They begin conversing and revealing valuable pieces of information. Similarly, the stones found in Termina, when struck with a sword, will cause a powerful vibration and a high-pitched sound before revealing how much time remains before the Moon crashes into Termina, though they will reveal their true secrets to the holder of the Mask of Truth like their Hyrulean counterparts. The stones make a third appearance in the World of the Ocean King, but these stones do not require use of the Mask of Truth. In, Tetra and the King of Red Lions use the Pirate's Charm to communicate with Link. This charm is an improved form of the Gossip Stone. A similar stone, the Howling Stone, is featured in Twilight Princess and can summon the Hero's Spirit.

The Eye of the Sheikah
The Eye of the Sheikah, more commonly known as the Eye Symbol, is the insignia of the Sheikah tribe and has reappeared constantly throughout the series, even in games that do not feature the Sheikah themselves. Similar symbols have appeared at different instances throughout the series, with slight differences that distinguish them from the true Sheikah symbol that most have come to identify with the tribe. The official Sheikah Eye Symbol however made its first true appearance in Ocarina of Time, where it was prominently displayed as the representative symbol of the Sheikah and worn by Impa and Sheik. The symbol is also featured on the front door of the Shadow Temple, which in conjunction with Impa's status as the Sage of Shadow, hints at the Sheikah's connection to the House of the Dead.

The symbol appeared in several other places, such as on the aforementioned Sheikah relics, which made appearances in both Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask. The symbol makes its next appearance in The Wind Waker, first appearing near Ganondorf's chamber in the Forsaken Fortress and later in the basement chamber of Hyrule Castle where the Master Sword is kept, serving as the representative symbol of Impa in the stained-glass windows of the Seven Sages. It reappears in Twilight Princess in various places, such as on the Howling Stones, and the back of Zelda's robes. Finally, its latest appearance has been on a new version of the Gossip Stones featured in Phantom Hourglass. It has been noted that the Eye Symbol bears a resemblance to a similar symbol used to represent the villains Agahnim, Veran, and Vaati. As such, their connection to the Sheikah, or lack thereof, is heavily debated by the fan base of the series.

Sheikah Legends
In more than one instance throughout the series, there have been legends passed down by the Sheikah tribe that have been discussed in different games ranging from Ocarina of Time to Twilight Princess. Amongst the most well-known of these are three legends that have had a great deal to do with the plots of both stories. Two of these three legends are featured in Ocarina of Time, one featuring the prophecy of the Hero of Time and his quest to find the Sages that dwell in the five temples scattered across Hyrule, and the other being a previously unknown legend of the Triforce and the Sacred Realm that explained what became of both after Ganondorf penetrated the Sacred Realm's defenses. The third legend of the Sheikah tribe is featured in Twilight Princess, speaking of a race of Sky Beings known as the Oocca and telling of their civilization and the role they play in Hyrule's history.

The Legend of the Five Temples
The Legend of the Five Temples is a tale passed down by the Sheikah tribe, and speaks of how peace will be restored to Hyrule should evil ever come to rule over all of the land. This is the legend that foretells the coming of the Hero of Time, and speaks of his quest to find the mythical Seven Sages in order to seal the darkness plaguing Hyrule away and return peace to the land. It states that when evil rules all, an awakening voice from the Sacred Realm will call out to a group of special individuals across Hyrule, five of which will dwell in the five temples found across the realm of Hyrule: one in a deep forest, one on a high mountain, one under a vast lake, one inside the House of the Dead, and one inside a goddess of the sand. Once awakened this special group, later known as the Seven Sages, would fight alongside the Hero of Time to banish the darkness covering Hyrule and seal it away in the void of the Evil Realm to return the light of peace to Hyrule and its citizens.

This legend comes to pass in Ocarina of Time, when Ganondorf gains hold of the Triforce of Power and uses its might to conquer Hyrule and turn it into a land of darkness overrun with monsters. The Hero of Time, Link, returns from his seven-year slumber and is set on the path to finding the Seven Sages that have the power to seal Ganondorf away in the former Sacred Realm, which has by now become a land of evil and despair known as the Evil Realm. After returning from the Sacred Realm after drawing the Master Sword from the Pedestal of Time, Link meets Sheik, who relates the Legend of the Five Temples to him, thus giving him guidance in the steps he would have to take to accomplish his goal of defeating the Dark Lord. Sheik reveals that because of the evil haunting their respective temples as a result of Ganondorf's evil influence, the special individuals destined to become Sages cannot hear the awakening call from the Sacred Realm to awaken to their true identities. Link discovers that these five individuals he seeks are five friends he had known as a child: Saria the Sage of Forest, Darunia the Sage of Fire, Ruto the Sage of Water, Impa the Sage of Shadow, and Nabooru the Sage of Spirit. Together with Rauru the Sage of Light and Princess Zelda, the Leader of the Sages, they composed the group known as the Seven Sages. With the assistance of the Hero of Time, who defeated the Dark Lord in both his humanoid and beast forms, the Seven Sages cast Ganondorf back into the void of the Evil Realm and sealed the entrance, thus fulfilling the Legend of the Five Temples.

The Legend of the Sacred Triangle
The Legend of the Sacred Triangle is another ancient legend passed down by the Sheikah for generations and speaks of a very important secret concerning the Triforce and the Sacred Realm. According to the legend, the resting place of the Triforce, the Sacred Realm, is a mirror that will reflect the heart of the one who enters it and lays claim to the so-called "Sacred Triangle". This being said, one of two things can happen when this event occurs. If the heart of the one that holds the Sacred Triangle in his or her hands is pure and balanced, they will gain the True Force to govern all and the Sacred Realm will become a paradise. However, if the heart of the one that holds the Sacred Triangle does not contain an equal balance of Power, Wisdom and Courage, the Triforce will separate into its three component parts, leaving only the part representing the force that one most believes in and transforming the Sacred Realm into a world of evil as well; If that one were to seek the True Force, that one must acquire the two lost parts that will be held by two special individuals chosen by destiny, who will bear the mark of the Triforce on the backs of their hands.

This legend comes to pass in Ocarina of Time as well when Ganondorf gains entry to the Sacred Realm with the unwitting assistance of Link and Princess Zelda. After entering the Sacred Realm and arriving at the Triforce's resting place, Ganondorf laid his tainted hands upon the golden relic. But, as his heart was not in balance due to his disproportionate desire for power, the Legend of the Sacred Triangle came true and the Triforce shattered. Only the Triforce of Power remained in Ganondorf's hand, as that was the piece representing the force he most believed in and desired most. The strength of the Triforce of Power enabled Ganondorf to conquer Hyrule and become a mighty evil king, but his dark ambitions were not satisfied as he hungered for the True Force to govern all. To gain complete mastery of the world, Ganondorf began to search Hyrule high and low for the two special people that were destined to be the keepers of the Triforce of Wisdom and the Triforce of Courage. Secretly, upon his shattering of the Triforce, those two parts were bestowed upon Princess Zelda and the slumbering Hero of Time respectively. Meanwhile, as the Sacred Triangle had been shattered by one of impure heart, the Sacred Realm was transformed into a world of evil and darkness now known as the Evil Realm. This transformation brought the Legend of the Sacred Triangle to fruition and laid the foundations for a great battle between the three holders of the Triforce pieces that would span generations to come.

The Legend of the Sky Beings
The Legend of the Sky Beings is a tale passed down by the Sheikah that speaks of a race of beings that reside in the skies above the land of Hyrule, the Oocca. According to ancient legend, the Oocca had a special relationship with the Royal Family of Hyrule and their protectors, the Sheikah. The Oocca were said by the Sheikah to have created a magical rod known to the Sheikah as the "Rod of the Heavens", properly called the Dominion Rod, that possessed the power to infuse life into certain mystical statues created by the Oocca and would be carried by the so-called "Messenger to the Heavens", the Royal Family's representative that would travel between Hyrule and the Oocca's home settlement in the heavens, the City in the Sky. Before their departure for the City in the Sky, the Oocca were said to have left the Ancient Sky Book in the hands of the Sheikah in order to offer a clue to the whereabouts of their mythical city in the clouds. After the Oocca lost touch with the surface of Hyrule, a royal decree was issued to the Sheikah, stating that a designated member of the tribe would be entrusted with the Ancient Sky Book and would be bound to the Hidden Village that was home to the tribe until the coming of a new Messenger to the Heavens, who would be identifiable by his or her possession of the Rod of the Heavens.

The events spoken of in this legend come to pass in Twilight Princess, when the new Hero, Link, discovers the long lost Dominion Rod in the Temple of Time after accessing it through a time portal found in the original door that still stands in the Sacred Grove. However, after bringing it out of the past temple, the rod loses its power to infuse life into the statues. Coming to the conclusion that its power must be recharged somehow, Link goes on a quest to restore the memory of his childhood friend Ilia, rediscovering the Hidden Village and meeting the last known resident and Sheikah, Impaz, in the process. After succeeding in restoring Ilia's memory, Link hears her speak about a statement Impaz had made to her, telling of the "Rod of the Heavens" and speaking of the heavenly messenger that would possess it. Link deduces that this is referring to the Dominion Rod and takes it to Impaz in the Hidden Village, where the overjoyed old woman declares Link the new Messenger to the Heavens she has been awaiting for quite a long time and gives him the Ancient Sky Book, fulfilling her obligation to pass the manuscript on to the heavenly messenger. Using the book, Link is eventually able to restore power to the Dominion Rod by means of a spell written inside it and uses the Dominion Rod to find the missing Sky Characters hidden all across Hyrule and locate the long lost, dilapidated Sky Cannon. After paying to have the ancient cannon restored, Link uses the powerful machine to launch himself up to the City in the Sky, where he becomes the first Messenger to the Heavens to see the Oocca and their city in generations.

Trivia

 * In the non-canonical Ocarina of Time manga, it is revealed that the Eye Symbol was once represented as a single eye without a tear, similar to the symbol seen in A Link to the Past. This changed when, long ago, an act of betrayal on the part of the Royal Family of Hyrule occurred, resulting in the banishment of the Sheikah tribe from the kingdom of Hyrule for a time. To commemorate this event, the tear was added to symbolize the great sorrow felt by the tribe, which was sworn to protect the Royal Family; The manga also states that pierced ears were a traditional Sheikah rite of passage for young males.

Early Games
Because Impa is a Sheikah in, it is possible that the Impa featured in and  may also be a Sheikah as well, even if the race had not yet been introduced when these games were released. In, when Impa reveals the location of the sleeping Princess Zelda to Link, she makes reference to an "Impa Family" that had served the Royal Family for generatons and had the power to open the door to the princess's chamber. This would mean that, via retcon, the Impa from the early games may be a Sheikah, though this has yet to be confirmed by Nintendo or its associates. In both of the games, the Impa featured does share some similarities with her successors in the series, such as her knowledge of the kingdom of Hyrule, Ganon, and the history of the Royal Family.

Dark Interlopers/Twili Theory
It has been speculated by some that the Sheikah have some connection to the shadowy magicians known as the Dark Interlopers, the ancestors of the Twili that were banished to the Twilight Realm by the Golden Goddesses when they attempted conquest of the Sacred Realm. The physical similarities between the two tribes have been noted, as the Dark Interlopers and the Twili both have the characteristic red eyes common amongst the Sheikah tribe and are skilled in "shadow magic", which was the forte of the Sheikah, who gained the title of the "Shadow Folk" due to this relationship to the element of shadows.

One piece of evidence highly cited by supporters of this theory is the presence of a similar Eye Symbol (somewhat akin to Agahnim's symbol) atop the throne of the Twilight Realm's ruler and on the back of the Fused Shadow, the weapon wielded by the Dark Interlopers during their conquest for power. Some even go so far as to suggest that the Dark Interlopers were in fact a sect of the Sheikah themselves, explaining their race's disappearance from Hyrule in one timeline and explaining why such a symbol would appear on the throne and on relics of the residents of the Twilight Realm. The fact that this symbol lacks the characteristic tear is also noted by theorists, who argue that this is perhaps the Sheikah emblem as it originally was and that those few that had not gone along with the Interlopers' schemes altered the symbol later to commemorate the sorrow they felt due to the actions of their comrades, though this is unconfirmed by any official source.

It has been noted by others that the Sheikah have often been portrayed as loyal servants of the Royal Family, in stark contrast to the Dark Interlopers, who let their greed corrupt their actions, thus complicating any theorized connection between the two. However, the Sheikah tribe's complete history is not known, leaving room for speculation as to whether they ever experimented with dark magic as did the Interlopers. While this is possible as nothing seemingly rules this out entirely, due to the incomplete information available about the tribe, it cannot be said with any degree of certainty whether or not the Sheikah took part in actions comparable to the Interlopers or had any dealings with them. Several other non-Sheikah villains like Vaati and Veran have also used Eye Symbols as well, leaving the question of a relationship to the Sheikah open to debate.

The Eye of Truth and Bongo Bongo
Speculation has arisen amongst some fans of a connection between Bongo Bongo and the creator of the so-called "Eye of Truth", properly called the Lens of Truth. According to an old man named Shikashi in Kakariko Village, there was once a man that resided in the village that was said to have created an item that would enable the wielder to "see the truth", this item later being revealed to be the Lens of Truth. What makes this story so interesting however is that Shikashi mentions that the man who invented the Lens of Truth (thought to have been a Sheikah himself as he lived in the Sheikah village and created a Sheikah relic) once lived in a house that was built where the Kakariko Well now stands. This well was also where, some time before the events of, Impa had sealed the Phantom Shadow Beast Bongo Bongo away, to be forever imprisoned in the Bottom of the Well so he could not wreak havoc upon the village. It was also here that the Lens of Truth were discovered to have been hidden, in the deepest recesses of the Bottom of the Well, which bore great resemblance to the interior of the Shadow Temple. It is ironic also that the Lens of Truth were necessary to defeat Bongo Bongo himself in battle.

Due to these pieces of evidence, supporters of this particular theory argue that Bongo Bongo may perhaps have been the man spoken of in the story of the Lens of Truth. This is supported by the fact that the man's house once stood where Bongo Bongo's prison would later be located, the fact that the Lens of Truth were hidden away within Bongo Bongo's prison at the Bottom of the Well, and because the Lens of Truth were required to put an end to the evil shadow spirit. This would be ironic if proven true, given that if so, Bongo Bongo would have been the creator of the very thing that was his only true weakness. However, beyond these small pieces of evidence, not much else exists to suggest that Bongo Bongo and the man spoken of by Shikashi are one and the same, and it is possible that the fact that Bongo Bongo's prison was also the hiding place of the Lens of Truth was merely an ironic coincidence. Nevertheless, the relationship between the man spoken of by Shikashi and the Phantom Shadow Beast is still debated.

The Shadow Temple
Bearing multiple references to the Sheikah both inside and out, the Shadow Temple, also known as the "House of the Dead", is strongly tied to the tribe. One of the most obvious references to the Sheikah is the great stone door that serves as the gateway into the temple, as it bears the Eye of the Sheikah. Inside, multiple references are made by mysterious walls to the "Eye of Truth", better known as the Lens of Truth, a Sheikah artifact. Several puzzles involving seeing the truth of a situation are also presented throughout the temple and require the use of the Sheikah heirloom. The Sage of Shadow herself is a Sheikah as well, Impa. All these references and signs have brought a great majority of fans to believe that the Shadow Temple was a creation of the Sheikah tribe and perhaps once served as a place of worship for them.

Questions have arisen as to just what the intended purpose of the Shadow Temple truly was however. Though it almost certainly was built to pay homage to the element of shadows, some have come to speculate that it had other purposes as well. All throughout the temple, what appear to be torture devices and prison cells appear, giving a strong inference that death was perhaps a large force behind the temple's purpose. This is further supported by the temple's nickname, the "House of the Dead". Due to a statement made by one of the mysterious walls within the temple, it has been speculated that the temple was meant to serve as the place where all of Hyrule's dead go to take their eternal rest, somewhat similar to the Underworld spoken of in Greek mythology. There are others that also believe that, because of the very same statement made by the wall, that the Shadow Temple was meant to act as a magnet to draw in all greedy or malevolent thoughts from Hyrule's populace and thus help maintain order throughout the land by taking that negative energy away. None of this has been officially confirmed by Nintendo however, leaving such ideas up for debate.

The Trinity of Truth
According to the theory of the Trinity of Truth, the trinity is a trichotomy of human perception that stems from the Ocarina of Time Kakariko Village relics: the Lens of Truth, the Stone of Agony, and the Mask of Truth, all of which stemmed from the Sheikah race. These three objects, when used at the same time, give the holder the ultimate perceptionary advantage not only over one's counterparts, but over the many lands and temples found in Ocarina of Time and partly in Majora's Mask. The Lens of Truth adheres to the "See No Evil" concept - giving the holder an all-seeing-eye to discern fake walls, chests, and even bosses (i.e. Bongo Bongo) in order to save their life from the dangers they normally may not see. The Stone of Agony lends itself to the "Hear No Evil" ideal - it gives off a touch-sensitive silent rumbling whenever its holder is near a Secret Grotto, which is a common avenue for achieving extra Rupees or Heart Containers in some cases, extending life. The Mask of Truth gives off the "Speak No Evil" in its approach to discerning the words of the Sheikah Gossip Stones, giving its wearer invaluable information concerning their quest as well as some humor along the way.

These three objects are seen by some as an "earthly" representation of the Triforce: three distinct powers that, when brought together, give the user extreme power and knowledge, without any godly connotations. As the Triforce is the heavenly embodiment of Power, Wisdom and Courage, these three objects are thought by some to embody human fantasy qualities of "absolute sight", "absolute instinct", and "telepathy". These man-made objects are also thought by some to work in tandem with Triforce holders, such as Link in this case, in order to make the wielder not only able to physically fight against anything that comes their way, but to literally "see" the adversity coming as well.