Ancient Cistern

Overview of the central room

The **Ancient Cistern** is a Dungeon in *Skyward Sword*.

## Entrance to the Cistern

The Ancient Cistern is located behind the Floria Waterfall past the throne of Faron. When Link first meets Faron, she is unable to stop the flow of the Waterfall that blocks access to the Dungeon because of wounds Ghirahim gave her in an earlier battle. She asks Link to find a sample of Sacred Water, which can be found in the Skyview Spring behind the Skyview Temple. After Link heals her with this Sacred Water, Faron stops the Waterfall's flow to allow Link passage into the Dungeon, leaving him to search for Farore's Flame.

## Themes and Navigation

A giant stone statue sits at the center of the Ancient Cistern, surrounded by Water. Navigation through the Dungeon is interwoven with Water-themed puzzles, and Link must contend with areas containing streams, stream pools, Lily Pads, waterwheels, and Water-filled high-pressure pipes to proceed.

Although the Ancient Cistern is a serene, Water-themed Temple, the Dungeon's lower level is an ominous abyssal underworld populated with Cursed Bokoblins. This sinister area is full of polluted Water which damages and Curses anyone who makes contact with it.

The Dungeon contains many drains and Switches, due to its nature as a cistern. After Link obtains the Whip that is guarded by a Stalmaster, he can use it to activate many of the Switches in the Dungeon, including raising and lowering the central statue, and flipping over various Lily Pads with damaging, barbed undersides. The Whip is also often used to unscrew the tops of tubes, creating geysers which can lift Link to other destinations. Many sections of the Dungeon are submerged, which Link can navigate easily with the Water Dragon's Scale.

The underground section differs greatly from the rest of the Dungeon, showing puzzles and obstacles based on timing or skill rather than the manipulation of Water. One portion of the underground section has Link fighting off Cursed Bokoblins as the Dungeon's statue falls down from above after he obtains the Blessed Idol. Another section forces Link to climb up a thread as a horde of Cursed Bokoblins attempt to pull him down. In contrast, the upper Dungeon levels prefer to use Water-based puzzles and Whip-activated switches as Link's main obstacles to overcome.

### Minor Enemies and Traps

* SS Blue Chuchu Model.png

Blue Chuchu
* Burr
* SS Cursed Bokoblin Model.png

Cursed Bokoblin
* Deku Baba
* Fire Keese
* Froak
* Furnix
* Green Bokoblin
* Green Bokoblin (Archer)
* SS Green Chuchu Model.png

Green Chuchu
* Quadro Baba
* Red Bokoblin (Archer)
* Skulltula
* Walltula

## Trivia

* The Dungeon appears to be based on the short story, *The Spider's Thread*. In it, the Lord Buddha is walking through paradise and gazes into a pond, past the lotus petals veiling the water's surface, seeing into the depths of hell. There in the darkness, he sees a criminal, Kandata, who once intentionally avoided stepping on a spider. Moved to try reclaiming this man, the Buddha lowers a spider thread into hell, and Kandata starts climbing to paradise. However, other sinners begin climbing as well, and Kandata, worried that the thread will not support the weight, exclaims that it is his and his alone. At this point the thread breaks, because Kandata was worried only about his own salvation and not his fellow sinners.[*citation needed*]
* Furthermore, the architecture of this Dungeon also greatly reflects that of far-eastern temples. The statue head in the main room, the Blessed Idol key, and even Koloktos bear a striking resemblance to Buddha.

## Gallery

* Link facing against a Furnix
* Link facing against a Stalmaster

## References

1. ↑ *Encyclopedia*, Dark Horse Books, pg. 158
2. ↑ *The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword — Prima Official Game Guide* (Collector's Edition, 2011), Prima Games, pg. 200
3. ↑ "*Eeuwenoud Reservoir*" — Dungeon Map (*Skyward Sword HD*)
4. ↑ "*Grande caverne antique*" — Dungeon Map (*Skyward Sword HD*)

**Dungeons in *The Legend of Zelda*  Series**

***The Legend of Zelda***

Level 1 **·** Level 2 **·** Level 3 **·** Level 4 **·** Level 5 **·** Level 6 **·** Level 7 **·** Level 8 **·** Level 9

Dungeon Listing

***The Adventure of Link***

Parapa Palace **·** Midoro Palace **·** Island Palace **·** Maze Island Palace
Palace on the Sea **·** Three-Eye Rock Palace  **·** Great Palace

Dungeon Listing

***A Link to the Past***

**Light World**

Sewer Passageway **·** Eastern Palace **·** Desert Palace **·** Tower of Hera **·** Hyrule Castle Tower

**Dark World**

Palace of Darkness **·** Swamp Palace **·** Skull Woods **·** Thieves' Town **·** Ice Palace  **·** Misery Mire **·** Turtle Rock **·** Ganon's Tower
Palace of the Four Sword

Dungeon Listing

***Link's Awakening***

**Main Dungeons**

Tail Cave **·** Bottle Grotto **·** Key Cavern **·** Angler's Tunnel **·** Catfish's Maw **·** Face Shrine **·** Eagle's Tower **·** Turtle Rock **·** Wind Fish's Egg

**Mini-Dungeons**

Moblin Cave **·** Kanalet Castle **·** Ancient Ruins

**Optional Dungeons**

Color Dungeon (**LADX** | **LANS**) **·** Chamber Dungeon (**LANS**)

Dungeon Listing

***Ocarina of Time***

**Child Dungeons**

Inside the Deku Tree **·** Dodongo's Cavern **·** Inside Jabu-Jabu's Belly

**Adult Dungeons'**

Forest Temple **·** Fire Temple **·** Water Temple **·** Shadow Temple **·** Spirit Temple **·** Ganon's Castle

**Mini-Dungeons**

Ice Cavern **·** Bottom of the Well **·** Gerudo Training Ground

Dungeon Listing

***Majora's Mask***

**Main Dungeons**

Woodfall Temple **·** Snowhead Temple **·** Great Bay Temple **·** Stone Tower Temple

**Mini-Dungeons**

Swamp Spider House **·** Pirates' Fortress **·** Oceanside Spider House **·** Beneath the Well **·** Ancient Castle of Ikana
Moon Dungeons

Dungeon Listing

***Oracle of Ages***

**Main Dungeons**

Spirit's Grave **·** Wing Dungeon **·** Moonlit Grotto **·** Skull Dungeon **·** Crown Dungeon **·** Mermaid's Cave **·** Jabu-Jabu's Belly **·** Ancient Tomb **·** Black Tower (Turret)  **·** Room of Rites(**OoS** | **OoA**)

**Mini-Dungeons**

Maku Road **·** Great Moblin's Keep **·** Ambi's Palace **·** Black Tower (Rescue Zelda)  **·** Hero's Cave

Dungeon Listing

***Oracle of Seasons***

**Main Dungeons**

Gnarled Root Dungeon **·** Snake's Remains **·** Poison Moth's Lair **·** Dancing Dragon Dungeon **·** Unicorn's Cave **·** Ancient Ruins **·** Explorer's Crypt **·** Sword & Shield Maze **·** Onox's Castle  **·** Room of Rites(**OoS** | **OoA**)

**Mini-Dungeons**

Great Moblin's Keep **·** Hero's Cave

Dungeon Listing

***Four Swords***

Chambers of Insight **·** Sea of Trees **·** Talus Cave **·** Death Mountain **·** Vaati's Palace

**Anniversary Edition**

Realm of Memories **·** Hero's Trial

Stage Listing

***The Wind Waker***

**Main Dungeons**

Forsaken Fortress **·** Dragon Roost Cavern **·** Forbidden Woods **·** Tower of the Gods
Earth Temple **·** Wind Temple **·** Ganon's Tower

**Mini-Dungeons**

Fire Mountain **·** Ice Ring Isle **·** Ghost Ship **·** Savage Labyrinth

Dungeon Listing

***Four Swords Adventures***

**Whereabouts of the Wind** — Lake Hylia **·** Cave of No Return **·** Hyrule Castle

**Eastern Hyrule** — The Coast **·** Village of the Blue Maiden **·** Eastern Temple

**Death Mountain** — Death Mountain Foothills **·** The Mountain Path **·** Tower of Flames

**Near the Fields** — The Field **·** The Swamp **·** Infiltration of Hyrule Castle

**The Dark World** — Lost Woods **·** Kakariko Village **·** Temple of Darkness

**Desert of Doubt** — Desert of Doubt **·** Desert Temple **·** Pyramid

**Frozen Hyrule** — Frozen Hyrule **·** Temple of Ice **·** Tower of Winds

**Realm of the Heavens** — Realm of the Heavens **·** The Dark Cloud **·** Palace of Winds

Stage Listing

***The Minish Cap***

**Main Dungeons**

Deepwood Shrine **·** Cave of Flames **·** Fortress of Winds **·** Temple of Droplets **·** Palace of Winds **·** Dark Hyrule Castle

**Mini-Dungeons**

Royal Crypt

Dungeon Listing

***Twilight Princess***

**Main Dungeons**

Forest Temple **·** Goron Mines **·** Lakebed Temple **·** Arbiter's Grounds  **·** Snowpeak Ruins
Temple of Time **·** City in the Sky **·** Palace of Twilight  **·** Hyrule Castle

**Mini-Dungeons**

Lantern Caverns **·** Cave of Ordeals **·** Cave of Shadows (**TPHD**)

Dungeon Listing

***Phantom Hourglass***

**Dungeons**

Temple of Fire **·** Temple of Wind **·** Temple of Courage **·** Ghost Ship **·** Goron Temple **·** Temple of Ice **·** Mutoh's Temple

**Master Dungeon**

Temple of the Ocean King

Dungeon Listing

***Spirit Tracks***

**Dungeons**

Forest Temple **·** Snow Temple **·** Ocean Temple **·** Fire Temple **·** Sand Temple

**Master Dungeon**

Tower of Spirits

**Mini-Dungeon**

Lost at Sea Station **·** Tunnel to the Tower **·** Take 'Em All On!

Dungeon Listing

***Skyward Sword***

**Main Dungeons**

Skyview Temple **·** Earth Temple **·** Lanayru Mining Facility **·** **Ancient Cistern** **·** Sandship **·** Fire Sanctuary **·** Sky Keep

**Mini-Dungeons**

Waterfall Cave **·** Inside the Great Tree **·** Pirate Stronghold

Dungeon Listing

***A Link Between Worlds***

**Hyrule**

Eastern Palace **·** Tower of Hera **·** House of Gales **·** Inside Hyrule Castle
Desert Palace

**Lorule**

Ice Ruins **·** Swamp Palace **·** Thieves' Hideout **·** Dark Palace
Skull Woods **·** Turtle Rock **·** Lorule Castle

Dungeon Listing

***Tri Force Heroes***

**Woodlands** — Deku Forest  **·** Buzz Blob Cave  **·** Moblin Base  **·** Forest Temple

**Riverside** — Secret Fortress  **·** Abyss of Agony  **·** Cove of Transition  **·** Water Temple

**Volcano** — Blazing Trail  **·** Hinox Mine  **·** Den of Flames  **·** Fire Temple

**Ice Cavern** — Frozen Plateau  **·** Snowball Ravine  **·** Silver Shrine  **·** Ice Temple

**Fortress** — Sealed Gateway  **·** Bomb Storage  **·** Training Ground  **·** The Lady's Lair

**The Dunes** — Infinity Dunes  **·** Stone Corridors  **·** Gibdo Mausoleum  **·** Desert Temple

**The Ruins** — Illusory Mansion  **·** Palace Noir  **·** Lone Labyrinth  **·** Grim Temple

**Sky Realm** — Floating Garden  **·** Deception Castle  **·** Dragon Citadel  **·** Sky Temple

**Den of Trials**

Forest Zone  **·** Flooded Zone  **·** Scorching Zone  **·** Frozen Zone  **·** Fortified Zone  **·** Desert Zone  **·** Shadow Zone  **·** Baneful Zone

Level Listing

***Breath of the Wild***

**Main Dungeons**

Divine Beast Vah Ruta  **·** Divine Beast Vah Rudania  **·** Divine Beast Vah Medoh  **·** Divine Beast Vah Naboris  **·** Hyrule Castle  **·** Final Trial (**TCB**)

**Mini-Dungeons**

Trial of the Sword (**TMT**) **·** Yiga Clan Hideout

**Ancient Shrines**

Akh Va'quot **·**
Bosh Kala **·**
Chaas Qeta **·**
Daag Chokah **·**
Dagah Keek **·**
Dah Kaso **·**
Dah Hesho **·**
Daka Tuss **·**
Dako Tah **·**
Daqa Koh **·**

Daqo Chisay **·**
Dila Maag **·**
Dow Na'eh  **·**
Dunba Taag **·**
Gee Ha'rah **·**
Gorae Torr **·**
Ha Dahamar **·**
Hawa Koth **·**
Hia Miu **·**
Hila Rao **·**
Ishto Soh **·**

Ja Baij **·**
Jee Noh **·**
Jitan Sa'mi **·**
Joloo Nah **·**
Ka'o Makagh **·**
Kaam Ya'tak **·**
Kah Mael Shrine **·**
Kah Okeo Shrine **·**
Kah Yah Shrine **·**
Kam Urog Shrine **·**
Katah Chuki **·**
Katosa Aug  **·**
Kay Noh **·**
Kaya Wan **·**
Kayra Mah **·**
Ke'nai Shakah **·**
Keeha Yoog **·**
Keh Namut **·**
Kema Kosassa **·**

Kema Zoos **·**
Keo Ruug **·**
Ketoh Wawai **·**
Korgu Chideh **·**
Korsh O'hu **·**
Kuh Takkar **·**
Kuhn Sidajj **·**
Lakna Rokee **·**
Lanno Kooh **·**
Maag Halan **·**
Maag No'rah **·**
Maka Rah **·**
Mezza Lo **·**
Mijah Rokee **·**
Mirro Shaz **·**
Misae Suma **·**
Mo'a Keet **·**
Mogg Latan **·**
Monya Toma **·**
Mozo Shenno **·**

Muwo Jeem **·**
Myahm Agana **·**
Namika Ozz **·**
Ne'ez Yohma **·**
Noya Neha **·**
Oman Au **·**
Owa Daim **·**
Pumaag Nitae **·**
Qua Raym **·**
Qaza Tokki **·**
Qukah Nata **·**
Raqa Zunzo **·**
Ree Dahee **·**
Rin Oyaa **·**
Ritaag Zumo **·**
Rok Uwog **·**
Rona Kachta **·**
Rota Ooh **·**
Rucco Maag **·**
Saas Ko'sah **·**

Sah Dahaj **·**
Sasa Kai **·**
Sha Gehma **·**
Sha Warvo **·**
Shada Naw **·**
Shae Katha **·**
Shae Loya **·**
Shae Mo'sah **·**
Shai Utoh **·**
Shai Yota **·**
Shee Vaneer **·**
Shee Venath **·**
Sheem Dagoze **·**
Sheh Rata **·**
Sho Dantu **·**
Shoda Sah **·**
Shoqa Tatone **·**
Shora Hah **·**
Soh Kofi **·**
Suma Sahma **·**
Ta'loh Naeg **·**

Tah Muhl **·**
Tahno O'ah **·**
Tawa Jinn **·**
Tena Ko'sah **·**
Tho Kayu **·**
To Quomo **·**
Toh Yahsa **·**
Toto Sah **·**
Tu Ka'loh **·**
Tutsuwa Nima **·**
Voo Lota **·**

Wahgo Katta **·**
Ya Naga **·**
Yah Rin **·**
Zalta Wa **·**
Ze Kahso **·**
Zuna Kai

**Ancient Shrines** (**TCB**)

Etsu Korima **·**
Kamia Omuna **·**
Kee Dafunia **·**
Keive Tala **·**
Kiah Toza **·**
Kihiro Moh **·**
Mah Eliya **·**
Noe Rajee **·**
Rinu Honika **·**
Rohta Chigah **·**
Ruvo Korbah **·**
Sato Koda **·**
Sharo Lun **·**
Shira Gomar **·**
Takama Shiri **·**
Yowaka Ita

Dungeon Listing

Shrine Listing

***Tears of the Kingdom***

**Main Dungeons**

Wind Temple  **·** Fire Temple  **·** Water Temple  **·** Lightning Temple  **·** Hyrule Castle  **·** Spirit Temple  **·** Gloom's Lair

Dungeon Listing

****Link's Crossbow Training****

**Level 1** — Ordon Target Practice  **·** Gerudo Stalfos: Defender  **·** Arbiter's Grounds: Ranger

**Level 2** — Goron Target Practice  **·** Zora River: Defender  **·** Skull Shooting

**Level 3** — Kakariko Target Practice  **·** Fruit Balloons  **·** The Great Bridge: Defender

**Level 4** — Zora River Target Practice  **·** Hyrule Castle: Defender  **·** Skulltula Forest: Ranger

**Level 5** — Oocca Target Practice  **·** Gerudo Moldorm: Defender  **·** The Shootout

**Level 6** — Ordon Target Practice 2  **·** Bridge of Eldin: Defender  **·** Snowpeak Ruins: Ranger

**Level 7** — Underground Target Practice  **·** City in the Sky: Defender  **·** Temple of Time: Ranger

**Level 8** — Horseback Target Practice  **·** Snowpeak Ruins: Defender  **·** Darknut Battle

**Finale** — Ranch Target Practice  **·** Sacred Grove: Defender  **·** Fossil Stallord Battle

Stage Listing

***Stages in *Hyrule Warriors****

Hyrule Field **·** Eldin Caves **·** Faron Woods **·** Valley of Seers **·** Death Mountain **·** Lake Hylia **·** Twilight Field **·** Palace of Twilight **·** Skyloft **·** Sealed Grounds **·** Temple of the Sacred Sword **·** Temple of Souls  **·** Gerudo Desert **·** Ganon's Tower
Forsaken Fortress   **·** Wind and Earth Temples

Stage Listing