A supposed screenshot of someone inside of the Sky Temple.
The Sky Temple is a rumored location in Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time and Ura Zelda. It is perhaps one of the most well known myths in OoT, and as such has had a multitude of different interpretations of varying authenticity. It is generally described as a hidden temple above Hyrule that takes a bizarre amount of effort to reach, with great rewards for locating and completing it.
Description[]
Methods of Access[]
I found the Sky Temple (proof inside)
A video of someone supposedly accessing the Sky Temple.
As with many of the major rumors, the Sky Temple has an incredibly vast list of potential methods of access. Some of these are obviously faked, and only remain for documentation, but others may have some truth to them if the player crossed over. Below is a list of some of the many supposed ways of accessing the Sky Temple.
- Finding a way to stop the day and night cycle, often with a supposed extra song played with the Ocarina, and killing hundreds of Stalchildren. This will either spawn an incredibly large Stalchild or a unique skeleton boss. If it summons a Stalchild, some say you have to defeat it in one attack. Upon defeating it, their skull will fall to the floor and act as a teleporter to the Sky Temple.
- Riding a flying Gossip Stone into the sky, commonly by using the hookshot.
- Riding a flying cow.
- Throwing a bomb directly into the center of the lava pit below Ganondorf's castle.
- Playing a special warp song, such as the Overture of Sages.
- Obtaining the Triforce.
- Finding a hidden warp in a random place, such as the Unicorn Fountain or the hole under Zora's Domain.
- Beating the Running Man.
- Using or obtaining a Key Item such as the Ocarina within Super Mario 64.
Appearances[]
Several descriptions of the Sky Temple have been documented that are all incredibly different from each other. Below is a list of documented descriptions.
Ura Zelda - Wind Palace OST
Music and screenshots associated with the Wind Palace.
Wind Palace[]
Early on in development, it is believed the Forest Temple was originally centered around wind. Several have said that the remnants of this early temple can manifest in the Sky Temple. This version of the Sky Temple is commonly centered around the Hover Boots and the Sky Tunic as the primary mechanics for puzzles. The Hover Boots have been said to be moved around to this temple instead of being found in the Shadow Temple to compensate for it's appearance. Notably, some say that the Wind Palace "moves" around in the sky, meaning that it's location and therefore method of access can change as time goes on.
Majora's Mask UFO[]
According to some, the Sky Temple is actually a UFO containing the aliens seen in a side quest of Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask. These reports are few and far between, so information is rather sparse. Some say that you have to be near a cow that is abducted to get on the UFO, potentially explaining the "flying cow". The temple is commonly very different from the rest of the game, causing many to discredit it.
Clouds[]
Some say the reason you can't see the Sky Temple in the sky is because it actually takes place on and inside of the clouds above Hyrule, requiring the Hover Boots, Sky Tunic, teleporters and special bridges unlocked via puzzles to navigate. This version of the temple is commonly swarmed with flying enemies such as Keese and Guays.
The Moon[]
According to some, the Sky Temple can be found on the moon, if one is somehow able to access it. This is another location where the Majora's Mask aliens can reportedly appear. This may have inspired the moon's major role in Majora's Mask, which used several early ideas from Ocarina of Time that had to be scrapped.
Contents[]
Despite the vast difference in all descriptions of the Sky Temple, some landmarks and items within remain consistent between reports. Whether or not this is due to actual consistencies in experiences or merging of and inspiration from hoaxes is up for debate. Below is a list of some of the most common contents of the Sky Temple.
- The Unicorn Fountain.
- The Sky Tunic, and/or puzzles utilizing it.
- The Hover Boots, and/or puzzles utilizing it.
- The Sword Beam. This is especially common in descriptions where the Sky Temple takes place on clouds, likely to combat flying and far-away enemies.
- The Triforce. Worth noting is that several say the "Blue Dungeon" room seen in a trailer for Ocarina of Time depicting Link obtaining the Triforce can be found in the Sky Temple.
Theorizing[]
Rauru's Temple[]
Rauru, the Sage of Light, is notable as being the only Sage in Ocarina of Time without a temple. This odd fact, alongside the fact he can take the form of an owl, Kaepora Gaebora, has led some to believe the Sky Temple is the "lost temple" where Rauru resides. However, the Chamber of Sages is within a place in the Sacred Realm known as the Light Temple, which explains why Rauru is there without having to be rescued like the others.