Sand

is an environmental element that has been a staple for . It has served numerous roles, including an environmental role and being an obstacle to beat.
==Role in the Series==
===Sand as a symbolic element===
Sand is the signature characteristic of certain kinds of locations, such as Deserts and beaches, and it's thus associated with hot environments. As in the case of other elements, such as fire and water, sand is symbolically represented by the various desert dungeons built in Hyrule and other landmarks of the World of The Legend of Zelda. In particular, the Spirit Temple from is dedicated to the Goddess of the Sand, to whom it shows tribute not only through the exterior, but also within the central and biggest room. The Spirit Temple itself is also guarded by the Sage of Spirit (by the moment the events of the game take place, Nabooru fulfills this role, and also guards the Spirit Medallion until she gives it to Link), and the Requiem of Spirit gives its player instant access to its whereabouts. Other landmarks in the series, such as the Sand Sanctuary and the Sand Temple, both from , follow a similar trend.
The Gerudo live in deserts in , , and , while the Zuna do so in .
Some monsters use the sand as a refuge to hide from Link's attacks, as well as to attack him in turn from strategic spots, such as Leevers, Lanmolas, and Ergtoroks.
===Sand as an obstacle===
As mentioned before, sand is used in favor of the enemies that are native of deserts and other places. In some cases, however, it's the sand itself that hinders Link's navigation. Sometimes, if Link stops moving, his feet will gradually sink within the sandy platform, which will damp his motion significantly; in some games, sand will always slow Link's motion. Quicksand is a more extreme obstacle that will instantly suck Link within and make him lose health.
In the Haunted Wasteland () and the whereabouts of Twinmold (), sand also makes sight more difficult due to the wind blowing it. In both cases, Link must keep an eye for where he is heading to, in order to avoid falling accidentally into quicksand. In the case of , only quicksand will sink Link, but all Phantoms (including those possessed by Princess Zelda) are vulnerable to all types of sand, likely due to their weight.
===Sand as a puzzle device===
To date, only , , , and have involved sand into puzzle solving. In the former, the Sand of Hours has the magical property of protecting those venturing into the Temple of the Ocean King from losing their Life Force. When a certain amount of this sand is stored into the , the explorer will be protected from the place's course during a given time limit. The more sand is collected, the longer this time limit will be. Sand of Hours is collected after boss battles and some treasure hunt in the ocean, and can be recovered by yellow pots located in strategic parts. In the same game, Bombchus are immune to quicksands, making them valuable to hit switches that Link cannot physically reach to.
In and , there is an item that makes use of sand to solve puzzles, the Sand Rod. With it, blocks of sand rise wherever Link aims with the wand, allowing him to move or stop heavy objects, unveil sunken treasure, and rise to a higher platform. In , it can even help Princess Zelda cross sand terrain that would otherwise sink her. The Sand Rod is also used for combat, as it stuns sand-made enemies such as Gerune, Ergtoroks, and Geldmen.
On a more general scale, sand's role is similar to that of grass and snow, and like these types of terrain, it may hide items that can be unveiled with a Shovel.
==Sand-related items==
File:PH Phantom Hourglass Model.png|
File:PH Sand of Hours Model.png|
File:ST Sand Wand Model.png|
File:SS Gust Bellows Icon.png|Gust Bellows
File:ALBW Sand Rod.png|Sand Rod
==Sand-related characters==
File:ST Rael Model.png|Rael
==Sand-dwelling enemies==
File:SS Ampilus Render.png|Ampilus
File:SS Ampilus Egg Model.png|Ampilus Egg
File:OoT Anubis Model.png|Anubis
File:SS Aracha Render.png|Aracha
File:TAoL Aruroda Sprite.png|Aruroda
File:TP Bulblin Render.png|Bulblin
File:FSA Devalant Sprite.png|Devalant
File:SS Electro Spume Render.png|Electro Spume
File:ST Ergtorok Model.png|Ergtorok
File:SS Froak Model.png|Froak
File:TAoL Geldarm Artwork.png|Geldarm
File:ALttP Geldman Artwork.png|Geldman
File:ST Gerune Model.png|Gerune
File:TFH Hokkubokku Model.png|Hokkubokku
File:SS Hrok Model.png|Hrok
File:TFH Karat Crab.png|Karat Crab
File:OoT Leever Artwork.png|Leever
File:ST Lobarrier Model.png|Lobarrier
File:ST Malgyorg Model.png|Malgyorg
File:TP Moldorm Model.png|Moldorm
File:No Image.png|Moldbaby
File:TWW Molgera Larva Figurine.png|Molgera Larva
File:ALBW Octorok Model.png|Octorok
File:SS Octorok (Rock) Model.png|Octorok (Rock)
File:ALBW Peahat Model.png|Peahat
File:LADX Pincer Sprite.png|Pincer
File:TP Poison Mite Model.png|Poison Mite
File:LADX Pokey Sprite.png|Pokey
File:FSA Sand Crab Sprite.png|Sand Crab
File:PH Sandworm Model.png|Sandworm
File:SS Staldra Render.png|Staldra
File:TP Stalfos Artwork.png|Stalfos
File:PH Stalfos Warrior Model.png|Stalfos Warrior
File:SS Thunder Keese Model.png|Thunder Keese
File:ALBW Vulture Model.png|Vulture
File:SS Yellow Chuchu Render.png|Yellow Chuchu
==Sand-dwelling bosses and mini-bosses==
File:OoT Gerudo Thief Model.png|Gerudo Thief
File:ALttP Lanmolas Artwork.png|Lanmola
File:FSA Manhandla Sprite.png|Manhandla
File:BotW Molduga Model.png|Molduga
File:Molgera.png|Molgera
File:SS Moldarach Render.png|Moldarach
File:TFH Stalchampion Artwork.png|Stalchampion
File:TP Stallord Render.png|Stallord
File:ST Skeldritch Introduction.png|Skeldritch
File:MM Twinmold Artwork.png|Twinmold
File:TFH Vulture Vizier Model.png|Vulture Vizier
File:ALBW Zaganaga Model.png|Zaganaga
==Sandy landmarks==
File:TAoL Parapa Desert Artwork.png|Parapa Desert
File:TAoL Tantari Desert.png|Tantari Desert
File:ALttP Desert of Mystery.png|Desert of Mystery
File:Desert Palace.png|
File:LADX Toronbo Shores Map.png|Toronbo Shores
File:LADX Yarna Desert Map.png|Yarna Desert
File:OoT Haunted Wasteland.jpg|Haunted Wasteland
File:Desertcolossus2.jpg|Desert Colossus
File:Greatbaycoast.jpg|Great Bay Coast
File:MM Zora Cape.png|Zora Cape
File:Oracle Of Seasons - Samasa Desert.png|Samasa Desert
File:Desert of Doubt.png|Desert of Doubt
File:DesertTempleEntrance.png|Desert Temple
File:Pyramid FSA.png|Pyramid
File:Gerudo Desert.jpg|Gerudo Desert
File:Arbiter's Grounds.jpg|Arbiter's Grounds
File:IsleofGust.png|Isle of Gust
File:Temple of Wind.png|Temple of Wind
File:PH Uncharted Island Map.png|Uncharted Island
File:Goron Temple.png|Goron Temple
File:Harrow Island.png|Harrow Island
File:Sand Realm.png|Sand Realm
File:Rael.png|Sand Sanctuary
File:SandTemple.png|Sand Temple
File:Ends of the Earth Station.png|Ends of the Earth Station
File:LanayruMine.jpg|Lanayru Mine
File:LanayruDesert.png|Lanayru Desert
File:TempleOfTimeSS.png|Temple of Time
File:SS Lanayru Mining Facility.png|Lanayru Mining Facility
File:Lanayru Caves.png|Lanayru Caves
File:Ancient Harbor Pier.jpg|Ancient Harbor
File:LanayruSandSeaSS.png|Lanayru Sand Sea
File:SkippersRetreatSS.png|Skipper's Retreat
File:SS Lanayru Shipyard.png|Lanayru Shipyard
File:SS Pirate Stronghold.png|Pirate Stronghold
File:SS Sandship Exterior.png|Sandship
File:LanayruGorgeSS.png|Lanayru Gorge
File:ALBW Desert Palace Interior.png|Desert Palace
File:TFH Infinity Dunes Stage 1.png|Infinity Dunes, the first level of The Dunes in 
File:TFH Stone Corridors Stage 1.png|Stone Corridors, the second level of The Dunes in 
File:TFH Gibdo Mausoleum Stage 2.png|Gibdo Mausoleum, the third level of The Dunes in 
File:TFH Desert Temple Stage 1.png|Desert Temple, the fourth level of The Dunes in