Sheikah: Difference between revisions

{{Infobox Species

|image= File:BotW Sheikah Species.png

|pronunciation= {{IPA|ˈʃiːkə}} {{respell|SHEE|kə}}<ref>{{Cite Web|quote= Much like Impa, she's a remaining survivor of the Sheikah.|published= August 4, 2014|url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_DZtTR3zu0#t=527|title= Hyrule Warriors Direct|site= YouTube|type= Video}}</ref><ref>{{Cite Web|quote= Hold the Sheikah Slate up to the pedestal.|published= March 4, 2017|url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_DZtTR3zu0#?t=120|title= Zelda Breath of the Wild - All Cutscenes The Movie HD|site= YouTube|type= Video}}</ref>

|characteristics= {{List|Pointed ears, White hair{{Exp Game|BotW}}}}

|game= OoT, TP, SS, BotW, TotK

|other= HW, OoT (Himekawa)

|members=  

{{Term|Series|Impa|link}},

{{Term|Series|Impaz|link}},

{{Term|Series|Purah|link}},

{{Term|Series|Robbie|link}},

{{Term|Series|Paya|link}},

{{Term|Series|Master Kohga|link}},

{{Plural|Series|Monk|link}}<ref name="Monks">{{Cite Person|quote=I just want to point out to you, because in general Shrines, of course you want to get to the end to the sort of Sheikah monk. |name= Nate Bihldorff |url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7PFdfmR29Ew |title= Playing Zelda: Breath of the Wild w/ Treehouse's Nate Bihldorff}}</ref>

The {{Term/Store|Sheikah|Sheikah|Series, SS, BotW|plural}},<ref>{{Cite Book|quote= |book= HH |publisher= |page= 40 {{Exp Game|SS}}}}</ref><ref>{{Cite|Long ago, a highly advanced tribe known as the Sheikah inhabited these lands.|Old Man|BotW}}</ref> also known as the '''Shadow Folk''',<ref>{{Cite|Have you heard the legend of the "Shadow Folk"? They are the {{Color|OoT3D Dark Blue|Sheikah}}...the shadows of the Hylians.|Professor Shikashi|OoT3D}}</ref> are a race of humanoid beings in {{TLoZ|Series}}. They are a mysterious and secretive tribe with pointed ears, red eyes and shadowy magic abilities. They are the chosen guardians of the Goddess [[Hylia]] and were sent to be the protectors and guides of the descendants of her [[Princess Zelda#Skyward Sword|mortal incarnation]], the [[Royal Family of Hyrule]].<ref name="CaC 368">{{Cite Book|quote= |book= CaC |publisher= |page= 368}}</ref><ref name="Duty">{{Cite|Someone must stay behind to watch over this blade. His spirit must not reawaken. He must never be allowed to threaten the world again. This is the nature of the task given to my tribe. As a member of the {{Color|SS Blue|Sheikah}}, the goddess's chosen guardians, I gladly welcome this duty. Zelda, I shall watch over the {{Color|SS Gold|Triforce}}.|Impa|SS}}</ref><ref name="Attendants">{{Cite|We Sheikah have served the royalty of Hyrule from generation to generation as attendants.|Impa|OoT}}</ref><ref name="Guardians">{{Cite|R.I.P. Here lie the souls of those who swore fealty to the Royal Family of Hyrule: The Sheikah, guardians of the Royal Family and founders of Kakariko, watch over these spirits in their eternal slumber.|Tombstone|OoT}}</ref><ref name="E 44"/> They are known to excel in mobility and jumping and specialize in hand-to-hand combat.<ref name="E 44"/> In addition, they have enhanced their technical capabilities with a variety of research and create tools unique to their tribe.<ref name="E 44"/> They are also the founders of [[Kakariko Village]], which would become one of the main settlements of [[Hyrule]].<ref name="Guardians"/> The Sheikah pass down legends and knowledge.<ref name="CaC 368"/>

The {{Term|Series|Sheikah}} are a humanoid race, bearing great resemblance to {{Plural|Series|Hylian|link}} in both appearance and magical capacity. The Sheikah are listed as {{Plural|TotK|Hylian}} in {{TotK}},<ref>{{Cite|People: Hylian (Sheikah)|Character Profiles|TotK}}</ref> likely indicating that they are an ethnic group. As the {{Term|Series|Sheikah}} have scarcely appeared, with {{Term|Series|Impa|link}} being the only member to appear across multiple games, very little can be known about their shared traits. The {{Term|Series|Sheikah}}, however, are known for their distinctive red eyes and pointed ears, which they share the latter with the {{Plural|Series|Hylian}}. All {{Term|BotW|Sheikah}} in {{BotW|-}} have white hair, but other hair colors have been seen with {{Term|BotW|Impa}} in other games, such as purple in {{ALBW}} and blonde in {{SS}}.

The Sheikah have their own writing script featured in {{BotW}}, referred to as the [[Sheikah (Language)]]. This writing is extensively featured on the artitecture of the [[Ancient Shrine]]s, [[Sheikah Tower]]s, as well as in the [[Sheikah Slate]].

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 {{OoT|-}} to {{TP|-}}. Two of these legends are featured in {{OoT|-}}; one featuring the prophecy of the [[Hero of Time]] and his quest to find the [[Sage]]s that dwell in the five temples scattered across Hyrule,<ref name="Legend">{{Cite|When evil rules all, an awakening voice from the Sacred Realm will call those destined to be Sages who dwell in the {{Color|OoT3D Red|five temples}}. One in a {{Color|OoT3D Green|deep forest}}... One on a {{Color|OoT3D Red|high mountain}}... One under a {{Color|OoT3D Dark Blue|vast lake}}... One within the {{Color|OoT3D Purple|house of the dead}}... One inside a {{Color|OoT Yellow|goddess of the sand}}... Together with the Hero of Time, the awakened ones will bind the evil and return the light of peace to the world... This is the legend of the temples passed down by my people, the {{Color|OoT3D Dark Blue|Sheikah}}.|Sheik|OoT3D}}</ref> 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.<ref name="Sacred Realm">{{Cite|Another unknown legend of the Triforce passed down by the shadow folk, the Sheikah..... If you would seek the sacred triangle, listen well... The resting place of the sacred triangle, the Sacred Realm, is a mirror that reflects what is in the heart...the heart of one who enters it...If an evil heart, the Realm will become full of evil; if pure, the Realm will become a paradise. The Triforce...the sacred triangle...it is a balance that weighs the three forces: Power, Wisdom and Courage. If the heart of the one who holds the sacred triangle has all three forces in balance, that one will gain the True Force to govern all. But, if that one's heart is not in balance, the Triforce will separate into three parts: Power, Wisdom and Courage. Only one part will remain for the one who touched the Triforce...the part representing the force that one most believes in. If that one seeks the True Force, that one must acquire the two lost parts. Those two parts will be held within others chosen by destiny, who will bear the Triforce mark on the backs of their hands.|Sheik|OoT}}</ref> The third legend of the Sheikah tribe is featured in {{TP|-}}, 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.<ref name="Messenger">{{Cite|Hey! That rod... Is that the {{Color|TP Red|Dominion Rod}}? Ahh... Could it really be? Are you the {{Color|TP Red|messenger to the heavens}}?! Among the legends of my clan, there is a story from the time when the Oocca still maintained contact with the royal family. Yes, it said that a mysterious rod was handed down from the people of the sky, and it was called the {{Color|TP Red|Dominion Rod}}... The rod was only to be carried by the {{Color|TP Red|messenger to the heavens}} when the royal family needed to communicate with the {{Color|TP Red|Oocca}}. From generation to generation, my ancestors have guarded the {{Color|TP Red|book}} that, by royal decree, was to be given to the messenger to the heavens.|Impaz|TP}}</ref>

The Sheikah are widely believed to have died out by the time of the {{Term|OoT3D|Era of the Hero of Time|link}}.<ref>{{Cite|They say that Princess Zelda's nanny is actually one of the Sheikah, who many thought had died out.|Gossip Stone|OoT}}</ref> The primary member of the tribe featured in the game is [[Impa]], the tall, athletic female attendant and guardian of [[Princess Zelda]]. Impa is awakened as the game's [[Sage of Shadow]], after [[Link]] defeats [[Bongo Bongo]] in the [[Shadow Temple]] late into his adult quest.<ref>{{Cite|The boy with the noble Zelda's Ocarina... As I expected, you have come. I am {{Color|OoT Red|Impa}}, one of the Sheikah. I am Princess Zelda's caretaker, and I am also the Sage who guards the Shadow Temple.|Impa|OoT}}</ref>

[[Impaz]] is an old woman who resides in the forgotten [[Hidden Village]] and professes that her name is a homage to the town's founder.<ref>{{Cite|My name is {{Color|TP Green|Impaz}}. I'm the last resident of this poor village. My name comes from the great one who built this village so long ago...|Impaz|TP}}</ref> A sign over the entrance to the Hidden Village, when translated from [[Hylian Language|Hylian]], reads "Welcome to Old Kakariko",<ref>{{Cite|Welcome to Old {{Typo|Kakarico|Kakariko}}|Sign|TP}}</ref> implying that the Hidden Village may have been the Kakariko Village featured in {{OoT|-}}. This is supported by a statement made by Impaz, saying that the village was once home to the proud tribe that protected Hylian royalty.<ref>{{Cite|This village was once the secret home of a proud tribe who served the royal family...But it fell into decline, and became infested with dangerous beasts. It's become an awful place...|Impaz|TP}}</ref> The Sheikah tribe is also alluded to by the [[Wooden Statue]], which resembles the Sheikah eye symbol. [[Gor Coron]] mentions that the Statue belonged to the tribe that protected the Royal Family of Hyrule and who dwindled in the prolonged wars.<ref>{{Cite|I REMEMBER! I thought I had seen that before somewhere... That belonged to the tribe that protected the Hylian royal family long ago. They worked in secret, so they lived in a lonely, forgotten place. But I heard that tribe dwindled in the prolonged wars...|Gor Coron|TP}}</ref> This Wooden Statue was given to [[Ilia]] by Impaz after the woman saved her from monsters.<ref>{{Cite|What...is this?! I... I remember something... I was confined somewhere... Yes, and I was saved  by {{Color|TP Red|whoever}} was confined with me... And when that person set me free, they gave me {{Color|TP Red|this statue}}... Yes, yes, I remember that much! But that means...that person is still in trouble!|Ilia|TP}}</ref> Impaz later gives Link the [[Ancient Sky Book]], a book implied to have been guarded by the Sheikah intended to be delivered to the messenger to the heavens.<ref name="Messenger"/>

Aside from the Wooden Statue, several signs of the Sheikah eye symbol appear throughout {{TP|-}}. These include the many [[Howling Stone]]s scattered about Hyrule, which depict the eye symbol as their motif. Curiously, the Sheikah symbol makes an appearance on the back of the robes worn by the imprisoned Princess Zelda at the game's beginning. [[Madame Fanadi]], a fortune-teller from [[Hyrule Castle Town]], also bears the Sheikah eye on her forehead amongst other tattoos, as well as having the Sheikah-exclusive red eyes. {{Term|TPHD|Luda|link}}, the daughter of [[Renado]], bears a similar symbol on the back of her clothing as well. An eye, very similar to the Sheikah eye, but lacking the teardrop, appears on the back of the [[Fused Shadow]].

In {{SS}}, Sheikah are mentioned to have served the Goddess Hylia as her chosen guardians.<ref name="Duty"/> One member of the Sheikah tribe, Impa, appears as both a young and old woman in the game. She serves as a guardian to the reborn Goddess and protects [[Triforce|sacred relics]] at her bidding, aiding Zelda in her quest to defeat [[Demise]].<ref>{{Cite|Zelda, at the command of the goddess, I passed through the Gate of Time. I did so to protect you and aid the fight to prevent the world's destruction.|Impa|SS}}</ref> The familiar eye symbol is tattooed in orange on her forehead, and her left eye is tattooed with the three white marks above and a white teardrop below in the form of the same symbol. It should be noted that, despite being likely the purest Sheikah ever met, she still has blonde hair, not white. From this, it is obvious that even though white hair is a common characteristic of Sheikah biology, not every Sheikah to live will have white hair. Despite this, Impa still bears red eyes. She demonstrates powerful magical abilities while protecting Zelda from [[Ghirahim]], an intimate knowledge of the Goddess's design, and was associated with the Goddess before she relinquished her immortal form.<ref>{{Cite|{{Color|SS Gold|Its power is too great to leave in the grasp of man. Dependence on its might is an invitation to disaster. When it has served its purpose, it must be secreted away to lay dormant once again...the knowledge of its existence hidden from mortal history. These are the words the goddess spoke to me long ago. I remember them well. As do you, I'm sure.}} Do not despair, Zelda. You and I will surely meet again  someday.|Impa|SS}}</ref>

Whilst the Sheikah appear physically similar to previous incarnations, some variations do occur. Many members don't have the distinctive red eyes; the only person who is confirmed to is [[Impa]]'s older sister [[Purah]]. The average Sheikah exhibits either grey, brown or blue eyes. Variations in hair colour also occur. Most sheikah have iconic white hair, including almost all of the [[Kakariko Village|Kakariko residents]] and all of the [[Monk]]s; all Yiga clansmen however have what appears to be black hair. It is confirmed that this is indeed their hair, showing diversity does occur within the race.<ref>{{Cite Book|quote= |book= CaC |publisher= |page= 108}}</ref>

The civilization of the Sheikah is said to have disappeared long ago;<ref>{{Cite|But their civilization disappeared long ago...or so it is said.|Old Man|BotW}}</ref> however, many remnants of them and their technology still exist in Hyrule, especially within the [[Ancient Shrine]]s and [[Sheikah Tower]]s. These house elements of their civilization, most notably the Sheikah eye symbol, their [[Sheikah (Language)|script]], and advanced technology.<ref>{{Cite|It is interesting, however, to think...that something of them might still remain hidden away in a shrine such as this.|Old Man|BotW}}</ref> Link awakens within the [[Shrine of Resurrection]], a Shrine that not only contains the Sheikah eye symbol, but also the [[Sheikah Slate]], a device of Sheikah origin. This device, in turn, can awaken both the Shrines and Towers.<ref>{{Cite|The appearance of those towers and the awakening of this shrine... It's all connected to that Sheikah Slate you carry on your hip there.|Old Man|BotW}}</ref> As Link travels across Hyrule, he locates many other Shrines where, at the end, he meets their respective ancient Sheikah [[Monk]]s,<ref name="Monks"/> who bequeath him their {{Plural|BotW|Spirit Orb|link}} once they are reached.

In {{BotW|-}}, all Sheikah save {{Term|BotW|Impa|link}}, {{Term|BotW|Master Kohga|link}} and the {{Plural|BotW|Monk|link}} are named after fruits.

{{Gallery}}