Greetings! I hope Summer has gone well.
I've been sifting through some of my binders and found some writings I want to organize and share.
I enjoy writing lore for quite a few of my original characters. About a year ago, I wrote pages of notes about Sheikah Shrine Maidens; my headcanon of protectors of the Ancient Shrines in BOTW. Now, I've decided to go back and catalog all the information I've written. OVA's Lore will become a category in my blog.
*Please note that none of this is official information and is my exploration of one of my favorite video game series
Sheikah Shrine Maidens Overview
Records of Shrine Maidens and their duties have been around since the creation of the Ancient Shrines. These practices resurfaced among the Sheikah when the shrines were unearthed with King Ronam’s excavation projects.
Within the century in which the hero slept and the princess battled Calamity Ganon, women of the Sheikah race dedicated their lives to protecting the Ancient Shrines and the survivors of Hyrule. They hoped these shrines would aid the hero in his quest to defeat the darkness when the time came.
Shrine Maidens usually come from a long lineage of maidenship and possess a strong spiritual sense. They start training at 13 years of age for five years at the main building (currently in Kakariko Village). These five years consist of:
All important dates and rituals
Magic training
Combat training
Sustainability
In the first three years girls typically commute to their training from home. This is when trainees learn which form of magic they are proficient in and choose the combat style they want to study. The fourth year includes voyaging and testing away from Kakariko Village. The journey is taken around Hyrule, using Stables as marker points. In their fifth year, young women take residence within the main building for a year of servitude and apprenticeship opportunities. Once these five years are complete, shrine maidens are eligible for the protection of shines and civilizations. Fifth-Years also receive their tattoos and craft their first weapon. High priestess training is also held within the main building. This esteemed position requires another five years of training and focuses more on spiritual attributes.
Ancient Shrines have 2-3 maidens assigned at a time. If a shrine has a high priestess she is accompanied by 3-4 maidens. A reserve of maidens stays within Kakariko Village after training. Maidens vow to only use their skills for defense and protection. This is one of their most important rules. Violations will have one stripped of their title of maiden and its rights. Regular duties of a maiden include:
Observing proper dates and rituals
Maintaining designated shrine
Protecting the shrine and the people of the region
Watching over and granting fortune to travelers
They also attend to stables and towns, ensuring their safety. One may request a maiden for issues such as:
The rescue of a person
Recovery of an item
The elimination of monsters posing threats to the community
Yiga clan sightings
Maidens usually will not accept payment for these deeds. Rather, patrons will offer tributes to that maiden’s shrine as thanks. Maidens do not settle civil issues and will direct the dispute to the civil authority in charge. During celebrated dates and rituals, maidens gather within towns or at stables. They will also gather at these locations for semi-annual meetings for each region. These meetings are to keep maidens informed of the status of their fellow sisters and the area around them. Maidens also travel twice a year to the main building for grand meetings regarding the same purposes. While these gatherings are informational, they are also a time of relaxation. Other ceremonies that usually have a high gathering of maidens include:
Annual Fifth-Year Graduation
Anointing of a High Priestess
New Beginnings Ceremony for new trainees
A Maiden’s Rest retirement ceremony
Travel to these events is made easier with the presence of those who possess the ability of transference. These maidens can use the shrine to transfer themselves or others. Teardrops are tattooed on the hands and feet of those who have transference.
The High Council oversees all these customs and resides at the main building within Kakariko Village. They consist of retired shrine maidens and those with ancestors of the first shrine maidens thousands of years ago. All who sit on the High Council have read the ancient texts and achieved the highest spiritual awareness through their years of meditation. There are 25 who are honored with this position at a time. Decisions are made through meetings and a majority vote. These elders are present for and preside over all of the listed gatherings. They are considered the organization's most respected people and the highest authority.
Shrine maidens may retire for a few reasons:
After turning 50 years of age
After becoming engaged
After becoming pregnant
A maiden may retire at any time after having a child
Calling to a new career
Serious injury
Maidens may continue to serve despite being older than 50, marital status, or number of children. Early retirement can be granted depending on the situation. Maidens are retired after turning 70 years of age. Retired maidens may cast their name for an eligible High Council seat after spending a year of meditation at the temple connected to the main building. A vote is held within the organization to determine a new Council member. Retiring maidens are honored for their service in a ceremony, during which they may choose a successor to their role.
Comments