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The Eye Symbol is found in throughout The Legend of Zelda series, and is often associated with the Sheikah tribe.
Sheikah Eye
Other Appearances of the Eye Symbol
A Link to the Past
Eye symbols have been seen throughout The Legend of Zelda series ever since the release of A Link to the Past. In the game, the evil wizard Agahnim has the eye symbol on his robe and throughout his lair. The symbol has lashes on the top and bottom. The inside circle is so thin that it almost appears feline.
In the opening of the game, it is seen that the Master Sword has a similar eye symbol on the hilt.
In A Link to the Past, Agahnim appears as though from nowhere to quell the misfortunes that are plaguing Hyrule using his powerful magic. Agahnim's origins are not entirely known, though he becomes close to the Royal Family of Hyrule following his curing of Hyrule's ailments before revealing his true colors. What is so curious about him is that the symbol that represents him, which is a modified version of the Eye Symbol that bears an uncanny resemblance to the Sheikah insignia. The emblem appears in front of the doors to Hyrule Castle Tower, Agahnim's lair in Hyrule Castle, and again in front of the topmost chamber of Ganon's Tower, where Link faces the dark wizard for a second time before discovering that he was Ganon's alter ego. This symbol, combined with Agahnim's relationship with the Royal Family and his knowledge of magic, has given rise to speculation that Agahnim may have had some connection to the Sheikah tribe, though this also is unconfirmed. Ganon refers to Agahnim as his alter ego,[1] casting doubt on this possibility, because Agahnim may have simply been a disguise Ganon used to fool the Royal Family and not a genuine Sheikah or member of any other race, though the true aspects of Ganon's relationship with Agahnim remain partially unclear.
Oracle of Ages
In Oracle of Ages, it is noted that the villain of the game, the Sorceress of Shadows known as Veran, also bears a symbol resembling an eye that is slightly similar to the Eye Symbol of the Sheikah; along with Crests of the Gerudo on her shoulder-pads. Her self-proclaimed title, "Sorceress of Shadows", also correlates with the fact that the Sheikah also had magic based upon the element of shadows. Veran's red eyes also match the color of the Sheikah, and these facts have caused some to speculate that she may have some connection to either the Sheikah, the Twili, or both. In addition, when Veran is fought in the Turret of the Black Tower, an eye-like symbol that bears a much closer resemblence to the normal Sheikah symbol can be seen on the pillars in the room, reaffirming this potential connection. But as with Agahnim, apart from this symbol on her gown and her ability to use "shadow magic", Veran's relation to either or both of these groups has been left up to debate since no mention is made by her regarding either race. As such, Veran's true race remains unknown to date, leaving much of her backstory shrouded in mystery and leaving her origins open to speculation.
Four Swords, Four Swords Adventures, and The Minish Cap
The Eye Symbol of Vaati in Dark Hyrule Castle
During Four Swords, the evil wind demon Vaati is seen as personifying the symbol with his one giant stylized eye. It was seen again during Four Swords Adventures and The Minish Cap. Vaati's origins are revealed to be rooted with an entirely different race from the Sheikah, that of the tiny thumb-sized Minish race. The villain first gained power through the magic of the Mage's Cap, a creation of his master Ezlo, in The Minish Cap. He then took on the form of a Hylian-like sorcerer and chose a single eye as his symbol of power.
What is so interesting about the form Vaati took after his transformation from a Minish however is that not only did he now have pointed ears, but he also retained red eyes (unlike other Minish featured in the game) as well as white hairs (like the only confirmed Sheikah in the series). These traits have caused some to believe that Vaati's new appearance and symbol were perhaps based upon the Sheikah, though this remains unconfirmed by any official source. The Sheikah do not make any official appearance in this game, and no evidence exists to suggest Vaati even knew about the Sheikah. This is further complicated by the fact that Vaati is revealed to be of Minish descent. Still, due to the similar appearance he took on after seizing the Mage's Cap and his choice of an eye as his symbol, his knowledge of the Sheikah or any connection he may have to them is also left up to debate.
However, since the Sheikah are known for their skill in magic and as the only real Sheikah known is a female, it is interesting to note that Vaati is supported by a group of female mages in Four Swords Adventures. One of them, in Kakariko Village, is a Fortune Teller like Madame Fanadi, a suspected Sheikah from Twilight Princess.
The Wind Waker
In The Wind Waker, Baito has a tattoo on his back that resembles the Sheikah Eye Symbol.
Twilight Princess
Another appearance of the symbol would be with the Twili in Twilight Princess. It can be found on their artifacts, such as Midna's helmet and the Fused Shadow. It is also seen on their buildings and in places such as above Zant's throne.
Phantom Hourglass
In Phantom Hourglass, the symbol on the front of the Guard Notebook resembles the Eye Symbol.
Skyward Sword
In Skyward Sword, symbols resembling the Sheikah Eye can be seen on the Timeshift Stones found in the Lanayru Desert region.
Majora's Mask 3D
In Majora's Mask 3D, the eye symbol appears on Captain Keeta's grave.
Tri Force Heroes
In Tri Force Heroes the eye symbol is present on the back of Wallmasters and on the face of Totem Armos. There are also symbols that greatly resemble it on the Desert Zone's Triforce Gateway in the Den of Trials.
Trivia
- The Sheikah eye symbol was likely inspired by the Ancient Egyptian Eye of Horus or Wedjet symbol. This eye was sometimes used to represent the falcon god Horus, the serpent goddess Wadjet, or the mother goddess Hathor. It was used as a symbol of protection for the Pharaoh and was worn as a medallion to ward off black magic and curses.
- According to the Encyclopedia, the teardrop on the symbol comes from the willingness of the tribe to go to any lengths.[2]
- The Sheikah eye symbol (The Crest of the Sheikah version) is used as Breath Of The Wild Link’s emblem in the game Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.
Gallery
Agahnim's Eye Symbol from A Link to the Past
The Eye Symbol from Breath of the Wild
The Lens of Truth resembling the Eye Symbol from Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask
The Mask of Truth featuring the Eye Symbol from Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask
Shadow Temple from Ocarina of Time
Gossip Stone featuring the Eye Symbol from Ocarina of Time 3D and Majora's Mask 3D
Zelda's cloak bearing the Eye Symbol from Twilight Princess
Howling Stone featuring the Eye Symbol from Twilight Princess
Madame Fanadi's Eye Symbol from Twilight Princess
The Eye Symbol featured on the Fused Shadow from Twilight Princess
Guard Notebook resembling the Eye Symbol from Phantom Hourglass
Timeshift Stone featuring the Eye Symbol from Skyward Sword
Impa's attack featuring the Eye Symbol from Hyrule Warriors
The Eye Symbol on Captain Keeta's grave from Majora's Mask 3D
The Eye Symbol featured on a Wallmaster from Tri Force Heroes
The Eye Symbol featured on an inactive Totem Armos from Tri Force Heroes
The Eye Symbol on the Desert Zone Triforce Gateway from Tri Force Heroes
The Monk, Kalm Yu'ogh, bearing the Eye Symbol on his facial cloth covering from Breath of the Wild
References
- ↑ "It's unbelievable that you defeated my alter ego, Agahnim the Dark Wizard, twice!" — Ganon (A Link to the Past)
- ↑ "The Sheikah live as shadows to the royal family and go to any lengths to achieve a goal. Knowing this, the eye on the crest sheds a single tear." (Encyclopedia, Dark Horse Books, pg. 44)