Sky Keep and the Isle of Songs
“Look around us! As a child, I always dreamed of a world below. I wanted to see the surface with my own eyes and feel the land’s warm breeze on my skin. I . . . I think I want to live here. I always want to feel solid ground beneath my feet, see the clouds above my head . . .”
— Zelda, Skyward Sword
Across the Surface, as numerous, complex, and interconnected as Her divine plans, exist structures dedicated to the Goddess Hylia. These buildings, whether they are sanctuaries, towers, or hidden vaults, all derive their style, function, and mystery from the graces of Hylia, who created them, either through sacred might or through the will of humankind. Irrespective of who built these places, a deeper association is far more important, and that is the inherent connection between this school of architecture and the savior of all those who did, do, and will dwell upon the Surface. This style — these clear and distinctive embellishments, patterns, materials, and atmosphere — holds divinity. Perhaps more than any other school of architecture or singular building within the entirety of The Legend of Zelda, these buildings — Her buildings — are manifestly sacred. The more Link journeys upon the world of the Surface, the more clarity we get into this phenomenon. We are no longer simply confined to the Statue of the Goddess upon Skyloft and its counterpart, The Sealed Temple, below, but we are given hidden structures on Skyloft, a beacon within an impassable barrier of cloud and wind, and the truly incredible Sky Keep, which houses the most powerful object within this much-beloved universe — the Triforce. All of these structures are intimately connected, and, for the plans of the Goddess to ever achieve success, they needed to remain whole, protected, and undefiled. It is perhaps better to think of these structures holistically, in that, without one, there would be none. Were one link of the chain to be sundered, the Goddess Plan would have failed, and the world forsaken. To me, it is fascinating to look at the happenings of this time period in light of its structures. They facilitate, house, and guide the Hero on his quest, and they are just as integral to the salvation of the Surface as is the current incarnation of the Goddess Herself.
— Zelda, Skyward Sword
Across the Surface, as numerous, complex, and interconnected as Her divine plans, exist structures dedicated to the Goddess Hylia. These buildings, whether they are sanctuaries, towers, or hidden vaults, all derive their style, function, and mystery from the graces of Hylia, who created them, either through sacred might or through the will of humankind. Irrespective of who built these places, a deeper association is far more important, and that is the inherent connection between this school of architecture and the savior of all those who did, do, and will dwell upon the Surface. This style — these clear and distinctive embellishments, patterns, materials, and atmosphere — holds divinity. Perhaps more than any other school of architecture or singular building within the entirety of The Legend of Zelda, these buildings — Her buildings — are manifestly sacred. The more Link journeys upon the world of the Surface, the more clarity we get into this phenomenon. We are no longer simply confined to the Statue of the Goddess upon Skyloft and its counterpart, The Sealed Temple, below, but we are given hidden structures on Skyloft, a beacon within an impassable barrier of cloud and wind, and the truly incredible Sky Keep, which houses the most powerful object within this much-beloved universe — the Triforce. All of these structures are intimately connected, and, for the plans of the Goddess to ever achieve success, they needed to remain whole, protected, and undefiled. It is perhaps better to think of these structures holistically, in that, without one, there would be none. Were one link of the chain to be sundered, the Goddess Plan would have failed, and the world forsaken. To me, it is fascinating to look at the happenings of this time period in light of its structures. They facilitate, house, and guide the Hero on his quest, and they are just as integral to the salvation of the Surface as is the current incarnation of the Goddess Herself.
In a way, every massive structure, temple, or dungeon that Link encounters in his journey is related, either directly or indirectly, to the Goddess Hylia. While certain buildings, like the Ancient Temple of Time or the Sealed Temple, carry her designs plainly, even those constructs built by the ancient tribes of humanity — from the Lanayru Mining Facility to the Fire Sanctuary — have a role in the story that unfolds within Skyward Sword. Some safeguard still waters and shrines, while others protect the mighty Goddess Flames that rest ever-burning in sheltered spaces. But, as far as architecture goes, only about half of the major structures within this time period can be said to be within one school of design. From our first glimpse of this tradition in Skyloft upon the Isle of the Goddess, descending to the Surface where rests its counterpart, the Sealed Temple, we are, throughout the events of this era, continually brought into contact with Hylian Architecture, as it will come to be known.
The Ancient Temple of Time, nestled safely within the sand dunes of Lanayru Province, plays host to one of the more violent meetings within this game, and though our time there proves to be short-lived, it is an intensely familiar sight. From the reliefs of Loftwings to the Goddess Harps etched in stone at the bottom of piers, the thick, plain walls echo perfectly those of the Sealed Temple. Of course, this being a drier climate, the stone here is more bleached from the constant sun, and perhaps weaker, as evidenced by the crumbling masonry. This temple, even with its open sky, was chosen to house one of the two Gates of Time present upon the Surface, and after the destruction of the Gate and the ending of this game’s events, another temple arises in its wake bearing the same name, and housing a relic of much the same function. In this way, the structure not only lives on but flourishes.
A chain of premeditated events upon both the Surface and Skyloft yields a method of piercing the cloud-wall of the Thunderhead, revealing an untouched vista of distant islands and grey mist beneath a leaden sky. The main island within this veil is called the Isle of Songs, named for its singular and holy purpose. Left for the Hero by the Goddess, this massive tower is further protected by another layer of defenses in the shape of wrought-iron fences, and a complex locking sequence which controls the tripartite movement of the bridge leading inward. The grey tower has long been covered in all-pervasive ivy and plant life, and its hexagonal layout carries one design above all others: the Goddess Harp. Music is clearly sacred within Goddess worship, and no instrument holds more divinity within The Legend of Zelda, save for, arguably, the Ocarina of Time. Each of the giant-order pilasters on the six corners of this building bear this harp motif, and a chain of harps encircles the entire exterior, while higher-up reliefs are chiefly floral in design, bringing an element of the natural world to this ancient religion. Fascinatingly, the entrance is little more than a crawl space. It may be that, like in Japanese tea houses, wherein the doors were crafted small so as to ensure that all entered at the same level of status (and without weapons), the entrance was created to force humility before the Goddess. Such a small tunnel precludes a proud entrance, and this may be a gentle reminder of the virtues of modesty in face of the Divine.
Keeping all of this in mind, it should be truly without doubt that we are about to enter into a sacred space. And, indeed, the atmosphere and architecture of the interior are further evidence of this. The interior is a decagon, made of the same grey stone universal in this tradition. This chamber has great resonance, and it is here that we first learn of the melody of the Goddess, broken into fragments and held safe by Her guardians below. And while there are reliefs of the Goddess in abstract form upon the walls, with harp, Triforce, wind, and shield motifs beside them, the true beauty of this room resides in what is absent. A humble bridge of stone leads out into the center of this vast chamber, resting above nothing, and below yet more, for there is no ceiling to this place, nor is there ground beneath. The bridge is suspended, resting perfectly between the light from above and the darkness below. It is as though this extension divides the two, and this edge gives the powerful impression of suspension between the unfathomable powers of heaven and hell, good and evil. It is almost a reminder of what should come to pass if Link fails, and the intense beauty that will return to the world if he should succeed.
Keeping all of this in mind, it should be truly without doubt that we are about to enter into a sacred space. And, indeed, the atmosphere and architecture of the interior are further evidence of this. The interior is a decagon, made of the same grey stone universal in this tradition. This chamber has great resonance, and it is here that we first learn of the melody of the Goddess, broken into fragments and held safe by Her guardians below. And while there are reliefs of the Goddess in abstract form upon the walls, with harp, Triforce, wind, and shield motifs beside them, the true beauty of this room resides in what is absent. A humble bridge of stone leads out into the center of this vast chamber, resting above nothing, and below yet more, for there is no ceiling to this place, nor is there ground beneath. The bridge is suspended, resting perfectly between the light from above and the darkness below. It is as though this extension divides the two, and this edge gives the powerful impression of suspension between the unfathomable powers of heaven and hell, good and evil. It is almost a reminder of what should come to pass if Link fails, and the intense beauty that will return to the world if he should succeed.
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Once Link has learned the three fragments of the Song of the Goddess, one last trial awaits him on Skyloft, and this one will prove not only the most difficult but the most unnerving. As he enters the trial, and the veil drops around him, yielding a faded shadow of the vibrancy of Skyloft, Link likely cannot help but notice this dim echo of his childhood home — a deep unrest stemming from the perversion of the joy and comfort that Skyloft embodies so perfectly. Yet, as all trials do, this too passes, and the world is returned to normal, with its colors, energy, and life. And with the growth of the spirit comes greater knowledge and the method of unveiling the Sky Keep, a tiered and concentric complex hidden beneath the Goddess Statue for untold years.
Upon entering the Sky Keep, the most piercingly obvious sensory experience we have is one of sound. The entire auditory landscape is introduced through the dull rising and falling of harp strings, and then an otherworldly pulse builds over time, adding voice to flute in a haunting and ethereal song, which seems to echo forth mournfully from far passages and unseen corridors. We must remember that this place is yet one more trial for the Hero, and while it is not unfriendly or working against Link as he attempts to gain access to the Triforce, it certainly is protecting this most sacred of treasures. Reflecting this aspect of the Sky Keep, the music is highly ambivalent — almost comforting and pleasant, yet ever withdrawn and cold.
Upon entering the Sky Keep, the most piercingly obvious sensory experience we have is one of sound. The entire auditory landscape is introduced through the dull rising and falling of harp strings, and then an otherworldly pulse builds over time, adding voice to flute in a haunting and ethereal song, which seems to echo forth mournfully from far passages and unseen corridors. We must remember that this place is yet one more trial for the Hero, and while it is not unfriendly or working against Link as he attempts to gain access to the Triforce, it certainly is protecting this most sacred of treasures. Reflecting this aspect of the Sky Keep, the music is highly ambivalent — almost comforting and pleasant, yet ever withdrawn and cold.
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Notice how the Triforce makes continual appearances throughout this space, and how other, more familiar, aspects of Hylian Architecture continue to show up in new and subtle ways. |
As we have talked at such great lengths already as to the stability of Hylian Architecture across the Surface world and beyond, it is only logical that this last temple be both a continuation and culmination of the features and meaning of this school. Like the Sealed Temple below, colors herein are muted and hazy, lending a sense of ever-changing unsolidity to the entire structure — as if, when we enter into the Sky Keep, we enter into a dream. Countless greys, deep and faded blues, veins of gold and brown, and wan green light seen in an indeterminate distance all meld together in conjunction with this shifting and restless structure. It seems strange to say, in light of the linear design of at least half of the interior, that this building barely maintains its sense of solidity, but the tricks of the light and the billowing fluidity of the stone embellishments rising high above the head all shape the perspective in this seemingly nonsensical way. The large gaps present in many of the walls give a huge sense of emptiness — space — and extend perception far beyond the immediate environment. But even while these unearthly aspects of architecture pull us into unfamiliarity, other forces serve to stabilize us in the present, reminding us of where we are, and in whose presence we are meant to be. Nearly every surface bears some mark of the Goddess Hylia, and all of them are familiar to us. The Goddess Harp is perhaps the most ubiquitous, being one of the prime instruments in fulfilling the Hero’s destiny, though the Triforce, Loftwing, winds, and sun are all present in motif and embellishment. Something new is present, however, in the four piers that stretch from floor to ceiling in the four corners of these Goddess Chambers (those that are a part of the actual temple, not the reincarnations of the previous ones); these piers are rigid and straight, but for small triangular protrusions that mirror the blade of the Master Sword near to the hilt and crossguard. Atop each, where the hilt of the sword would normally be, sits a statue of a Loft Wing. This experimentation in blending design is what truly sets the Sky Keep apart in terms of its architectural importance within Skyward Sword, and is partially what makes it worthy of being the final dungeon of the game.
Each temple, dungeon, and sanctuary from the game is present within the larger puzzle of the Sky Keep, and each province of the game is represented in both land and sound. In testing the Hero, it is as if the Goddess wishes to remind Link of what he has overcome to make it thus far. To me, revitalizing these temples and landscapes is yet another reminder of how the Goddess wishes to embolden Link, and how even subtlety can serve as a vehicle for Courage.
Each temple, dungeon, and sanctuary from the game is present within the larger puzzle of the Sky Keep, and each province of the game is represented in both land and sound. In testing the Hero, it is as if the Goddess wishes to remind Link of what he has overcome to make it thus far. To me, revitalizing these temples and landscapes is yet another reminder of how the Goddess wishes to embolden Link, and how even subtlety can serve as a vehicle for Courage.
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As each piece of the Triforce is obtained, adding its power to the others, we re-enter the Goddess Chamber, but through new eyes. Gone are the walls and ceiling. It is as if the whole room is suspended in a sea of grey-blue mist, and even Link appears a spirit in this realm. Upon the recovery of the last piece, Link is spirited from the Sky Keep entirely, appearing atop the Goddess Statue, held safely in Her hands while the Triforce shines in unity above. In front of this omnipotent force, Link issues a fervent prayer, and the Isle of the Goddess severs its connection to Skyloft and once again is joined to the land below, acting as the final seal on the Imprisoned. Yet, as we all know, this is not the end of the story, but the beginning of the cyclical history of Hyrule. And as each chapter yields its recurrent themes of wrathful power, ancient wisdom, and unwavering courage, the past is brought to life in new form, through strife and peace, though always only for a time.