Eye Symbol

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The Eye Symbol is found in throughout The Legend of Zelda series, and is often associated with the Sheikah tribe. According to the Encyclopedia, the teardrop on the symbol comes from the willingness of the tribe to go to any lengths.[1]

Sheikah Eye

Main article: Crest of the Sheikah

Other Appearances of the Eye Symbol

A Link to the Past

File:ALttP Agahnim Artwork.png
Agahnim wearing the Eye Symbol

In the opening of A Link to the Past, the Master Sword is depicted with a similar eye symbol on the hilt.

Elsewhere, Agahnim is frequently associated with an eyeball symbol quite reminiscent of the Sheikah insignia, albeit with the traditional eyelashes both above and below the eyeball, no teardrop, and with a thinner pupil. Like the Shiekah, Agahnim was an eerie figure who had posed as an advisor to the Royal Family and used arcane magics to protect them. While Ganon identifies Agahnim as his alter ego,[2] it seems likely that Agahnim was either posing as a Sheikah or more simply exploiting their aesthetic in order to get close to the Royal Family.

Oracle of Ages

File:OoA Veran Artwork.png
Veran bearing an Eye Symbol on her gown

In Oracle of Ages, the sorceress Veran bears a similar eye emblem oriented vertically, with no eyelashes and with the teardrop, extended, extending upward from one corner of the eye, and has red eyes common to the Sheikah. Her lair in the highest part of the Black Tower also includes pillars bearing the standard Sheikah emblem. Like Agahnim, her role as a treacherous advisor to royalty and her use of elemental shadow magic imply that she has either a genuine link to the Sheikah or is drawing upon their mystique as part of her scheme.

Four Swords, Four Swords Adventures, and The Minish Cap

The Eye Symbol of Vaati in Dark Hyrule Castle

In The Minish Cap, the Minish Vaati used the magic of the Mage's Cap to take the shape of a humanoid sorcerer, and later conquered Hyrule Castle, covering it with symbols of a baleful red eye. Vaati's new humanoid form had pointed ears, red eyes, and white hair, much unlike the Minish, and he eventually further transformed into an inhuman demonic form whose most prominent feature was a giant eye with stylized eyelashes, strongly reminiscent of the Sheikah emblem. This, along with his frequent use of occult magic, implies he may have been inspired by the Sheikah. The eye symbolism follows him to his chronologically later Four Swords appearance, and in Four Swords Adventures he is even followed by a group of female mages somewhat reminiscent of the implied matriarchal bent of Sheikah culture.

The Wind Waker

File:TWW Baito Figurine Back Model.png
Baito's tattoo

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

Ancient Egyptian Eye Symbol
Ancient Egyptian Eye Symbol
  • 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.
  • 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

References

  1. 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)
  2. It's unbelievable that you defeated my alter ego, Agahnim the Dark Wizard, twice! — Ganon (A Link to the Past)