Template:Species Loftwings (pronounced /ˈlɒftˌwɪŋ/, LOFT-wing),[citation needed] also known as Guardian Birds,[1] are a species of Bird featured in Skyward Sword. They are birds used by the citizens of Skyloft to fly around the different regions and are used during the annual Wing Ceremony.[1]
Characteristics
It is a custom in Skyloft for each person to have their own Loftwing, which is a symbol of the divine protection granted by the Goddess Hylia.[1] A Loftwing and its rider have a special connection, as Skyloftians consider themselves to be one half of a pair until they are made whole by the Loftwings.[1] When a Skyloftian is young, they meet their bird companion under the Statue of the Goddess.[2] Having a Loftwing and being able to ride it separates the kids from the adults.[3]
Loftwings cannot fly during the nighttime since they have a terrible night vision, and only those which have been specially trained can fly in the dark.[4] They can also be taught a special move called the Spiral Charge, but since it is a stressful move for Loftwings to perform, it is usually only taught to senior Knight Academy students.[5][6]
Crimson Loftwing
Link's Loftwing is a special, rare breed which causes him to stand out among the rest of the citizens of Skyloft.[7] It is considered a rare breed which had previously been thought to have gone extinct.[8]
Symbolism
The crest of the Goddess Hylia is a symbol of a Loftwing, which bears resemblance to many other symbols in Template:LZS. The Hylian Crest found on every version of the Hylian Shield is a symbol of Link's Crimson Loftwing.[9] The crest of the Royal Family also depicts the image of a Loftwing in its design.
Trivia
- The Loftwings were modeled after the Shoebill, a species of bird native to tropical east Africa. The idea for their curled tails came from one of the designers' pet shiba.[10]
- As all shields in Skyward Sword have a footprint or depiction of the Loftwing on them, it appears the red bird on the Hylian Shield is meant to represent a Crimson Loftwing, a rare breed of the species.
- In the opening cinematic, one can see Eagus flying a Loftwing for a brief second. Looking close reveals that this Loftwing is a lower polygon model; it looks different and slightly more blocky than the other ones. This is likely a mistake on the part of the game developers. An unused crimson version can be found in the game data.
- Many Loftwings bear characteristics similar to their owners. Strich's Loftwing has a similar bowl haircut and belt. Cawlin's Loftwing has a similar haircut and belt. Groose's Loftwing has a similar pompadour haircut, and belt matching Groose's necklace. Zelda's Loftwing has a similar 'golden circles' belt. Orielle's Loftwing has hair also in braids.
- Despite the importance placed on Loftwings in Skyloft's culture, no bird is ever given its own name, or at least is never outright stated to have one.
Etymology
 Names in Other Regions 
| |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Language | Name | Meaning | |
 |
Japanese | ロフトバード (Rofutobādo) | Loftbird |
 |
FrenchEU | Célestrier | |
 |
German | Wolkenvogel | |
 |
Italian | Solcanubi | |
 |
SpanishEU | Pelícaro | |
 |
SpanishLA | Neburí | |
Gallery
- SS Flight Artwork.png
Link riding his Loftwing
Link riding his Loftwing in the Wing Ceremony
- SS Crimson Loftwing Sprite.png
Sprite of the Crimson Loftwing from the Wing Ceremony
- LoftwingZeldaSS.png
Zelda's Loftwing
- LoftwingGrooseSS.png
Groose's Loftwing
- LoftwingCawlinSS.png
Cawlin's Loftwing
- LoftwingStritchSS.png
Strich's Loftwing
- LoftwingOrielleSS.png
Orielle's Loftwing
- LoftwingEagusSS.png
Eagus's Loftwing
- LoftwingCeremonySS.png
The Golden Loftwing from the Wing Ceremony
- SS Golden Loftwing Map Sprite.png
Sprite of the Golden Loftwing from the Wing Ceremony
Concept art of a Loftwing from Hyrule Historia
See also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "As you know, each of us in Skyloft is but one half of a pair. We are only made whole by our Loftwings, the guardian birds that the goddess bestows upon each of us as a symbol of her divine protection." — Gaepora (Skyward Sword)
- ↑ "When we are young, every one of us meets our Loftwing under the great Statue of the Goddess. It's quite a big moment, as I'm sure you recall." — Gaepora (Skyward Sword)
- ↑ "Here in Skyloft, it's being able to ride a Loftwing that separates the kids from the adults." — N/A (Skyward Sword)
- ↑ "Listen up. Loftwings can't fly at night! They have terrible night vision, and only the few who have received special training can fly in the dark. If you really need to fly, you'll just have to wait for daylight." — Pipit (Skyward Sword)
- ↑ "The Spiral Charge is a stressful maneuver for most any Loftwing to pull off. But you and that red bird of yours...I'll bet you can handle it without a sweat!" — N/A (Skyward Sword)
- ↑ "This is a technique that only senior Knight Academy students who have mastered high-level flight skills are allowed to perform." — Owlan (Skyward Sword)
- ↑ "Of course, that Crimson Loftwing of yours is something special. I'd feel pretty confident riding him, too!" — Pipit (Skyward Sword)
- ↑ "The bird that came to him was a Crimson Loftwing. It is a breed so rare we were sure for some time that it had vanished from the line." — Gaepora (Skyward Sword)
- ↑ Template:Cite book
- ↑ "Loftwings are modeled after birds called shoebills, and the idea for their curled tails came from the designer's pet shiba." — Hiraoka, Skyward Sword Player Design (Hyrule Historia (Dark Horse Books), pg. 9) ()