Whip

The Whip (ムチ) is a recurring item in the Legend of Zelda series.

The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks
A bullwhip which bears the likeness of a snake, it is acquired by beating a Snapper, enemies that commonly wield similar whips, in the Ocean Temple. The Whip can be used both as a weapon and to swing across chasms by latching onto suspended objects such as poles and birds carrying pieces of wood in their beaks, in a manner similar to the Grappling Hook. It can also be used to snatch and throw objects from enemies, such as shields from Zora Warriors and helmets from Helmet ChuChus. In addition to its use in dungeons, the Whip can be used in a Whip Race mini-game in Whittleton. If the whip is used on Zelda in her phantom form (excluding Wrecker), she will speed up.

Originally, the design of the Whip, as seen in the first two trailers for the game, was that of a typical bullwhip; however, in the third trailer released, the design was changed into a snake-like whip for unknown reasons. Also, the earliest name of the weapon was the Snake Whip, also changed for unknown reasons.

''The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword
The Whip is obtained in the Ancient Cistern after defeating the Stalmaster. It can be used to retrieve items and cut grass, as well as make enemies flinch. The Whip has a glowing sphere of light at its end that can harm enemies weak to light such as Cursed Bokoblins. It is used by swinging the Wii Remote in the same movement.

Theory
The Spirit Tracks incarnation of the Whip bears a striking resemblance to the Rope Snake, a character/item from another Nintendo game, Mother 3, in terms of both appearance and abilities, so it is possible that the Rope Snake was the Whip's inspiration. The Rope Snake also appears as part of one of Lucas's taunts in Super Smash Bros. Brawl.