Sheik
From Zelda Legends Wiki
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Description
When Link is returned to the future world of Hyrule in OoT, the first person he meets is a skinny, sun-bitten young man, who introduces himself as Sheik, Survivor of the Sheikahs.
Sheik has red eyes, blond hair, tan skin, and a stringy, muscular body. He wears the same kind of clothes that Impa does -- tight-fitting, flexible armor/clothes, with the Sheikah symbol displayed proudly on his chest. This same symbol is worn by Impa and can be found on the Mask of Truth and Gossip Stones. His head, arms, and fingers are wrapped in gauze, and his vest is threadbare. This get-up gives Sheik the appearance of having traveled all over Hyrule, doing many things.
Sheik acts as a mysterious guide for Link, appearing when least expected, and disappearing just as quickly. Using his harp, he teaches Link songs that allow him to warp to all of the temples in Hyrule. After teaching Link a lesson with his poetry, and teaching him a song, he disappears using Sheikah magic, before Link can learn any more about him. He casts a flash spell, or calls up some kind of distraction, to disorient Link before disappearing. While Link battles in the temples, Sheik goes around Hyrule, doing deeds that oppose Ganondorf's power. For example, he saves Princess Ruto from under the ice, and attempts to keep the shadow spirit from escaping from the Kakariko Village well.
Why does Sheik surround himself with mysteries and unanswered questions? Because he is no other than Zelda, Princess of Hyrule, disguising herself from the Evil King Ganondorf. When Ganondorf betrayed the King and attacked Hyrule Castle, Impa fled the Castle with Zelda. She threw the Ocarina of Time to Link, hoping he would get the Triforce and defeat Ganondorf, but this was not to be. Unexpectedly, the Master Sword sealed Link's spirit away, leaving the Sacred Realm wide open. Ganondorf entered the Sacred Realm and stole the Triforce of Power. From then on, Zelda passed herself off as a Sheikah, hoping that Link would some day return. For seven long years she waited...
When Link is at last old enough to awaken, Zelda, still disguised as Sheik, meets him in the Temple of Time. By this time, the Sheikah are thought to have died out, and Impa is incognito. So, Zelda takes advantage of this situation to claim herself to be the last surviving Sheikah. Whether the Sheikah have really died out, or if they are just in hiding, is not known.
Little is really known about the Sheikah, so it is unknown how accurate Zelda's disguise is. But it seems to fool Ganondorf pretty well for seven years, and the Sheik disguise looks pretty similar to Impa. Zelda can even perform some Sheikah magic, like the disappearing trick. It is also unknown where Zelda learned to disguise herself as a Sheikah. There are several possibilities: (1) Sheikah appearance and customs are common knowledge among the Royal Family, (2) she learned it from Impa, (3) she knows about the Sheikah because she has the Triforce of Wisdom, (4) Impa took her to a hidden Sheikah community, where she learned their ways, or (5) she copied the appearance from a real Sheikah.
The nature of Zelda's disguise is also mysterious. She probably uses the Triforce of Wisdom to produce the disguise. When she takes off the disguise, the Triforce of Wisdom symbol appears and spreads outward, which indicates she was using its power to disguise herself. It is also unclear whether the Sheik disguise changes Zelda's body physically, or whether the disguise is like clothing that just covers the real body.
Relevant Quotes
- Sheik, meeting Link for the first time:
I've been waiting for you, Hero of Time...
. . .
I am Sheik. Survivor of the Sheikahs...
- Sheik (in front of Forest Temple):
The flow of time is always cruel... Its speed seems different for each person, but no one can change it... A thing that doesn't change with time is a memory of younger days...
- Sheik, in Death Mountain Crater:
It is something that grows over time... a true friendship. A feeling in the heart that becomes stronger over time... The passion of friendship will soon blossom into a righteous power and through it, you will know which way to go... This song is dedicated to the power of the heart... Listen to the Bolero of Fire...
- Sheik, in Ice Cavern:
If you have courage enough to confront the danger and save the Zoras, I will teach you the melody that leads to the temple. Time passes, people move.... Like a river's flow, it never ends... A childish mind will turn to noble ambition... Young love will become deep affection... The clear water's surface reflects growth... Now listen to the Serenade of Water to reflect upon yourself....
- Ruto, in Water Temple:
A young man named Sheik saved me from under the ice...
- Zelda, after removing the Sheik disguise:
It is I, the Princess of Hyrule, Zelda. I apologize for meeting you in disguise, but it was necessary to hide from the King of Evil. Please forgive me...
. . .
I passed myself off as a Sheikah and hoped that you would return. I waited for seven years...
Sheik in SSBM
Sheik is a playable character in Super Smash Bros. Melee, together with her alter ego Zelda, to whom she can transform whenever she wants to. She is one of the fastest characters, but on the other hand she is really easy to control. She can also jump (or fly!) high distances. Her ninja-like-movements are weak, but really fast, so they can be easily chained. Her special attacks are:
B: Needle Storm
Smash B: Chain
Up&B: Vanish
Down&B:Transform
Translation Notes
Sheik's name is written in katakana as SHĪKU in Toki no Ocarina. Compare this to Sheikah, which is written in katakana as SHĪKĀ. This indicates that the name is pronounced the same way as the English word "she."
"Sheik" is the standard spelling in the American and French versions. In the German version, however, Sheik's name is spelled "Shiek." This is because, in German, "ei" is pronounced as in "reign," while "ie" is pronounced as in "belief." To preserve the original pronunciation, the name had to be changed to "Shiek."
Miscellaneous Notes
There are subtle differences between the official art and the in-game model of Sheik. Very small things, such as his fingers being wrapped a little bit differently, and the light/dark blue pattern of his clothes being a little different.
