- "It is something that grows over time... a true friendship. A feeling in the heart that becomes even stronger over time... The passion of friendship will soon blossom into a righteous power and through it, you will know which way to go... This song is dedicated to the power of the heart... Listen to the Bolero of Fire...."
- — Sheik
The "Bolero of Fire" (炎のボレロ Honō no Borero?, Bolero of Flames) is a song from The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. When played, this teleportation song transports Link to the Triforce Pedestal in the center of the Death Mountain Crater, near the entrance to the Fire Temple. This is the only way with which Link can get to the central area of the crater as a child, where a patch of Soft Soil (and by extent, a Gold Skulltula) can be found.
Link can play the "Bolero of Fire" on the Ocarina of Time by playing Down-C, A, Down-C, A, Right-C, Down-C, Right-C, Down-C. In the 3DS remake of Ocarina of Time, the notes can be played with R, L, R, L, Y, R, Y, R. The actual pitches of the notes translate as follows: F, D, F, D, A, F, A, F.
Story[]
Spoiler warning: Plot or ending details follow.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time[]
On a quest to awaken the Sage of Fire, Link befriends Link of the Gorons, who allows him to pass through to the Death Mountain Crater, wherein lies the Fire Temple. As Link crosses a broken bridge with the help of the Hookshot, Sheik appears. Sheik teaches Link the "Bolero of Fire" on his harp, that Link may return to the crater easier in the future, before disappearing.
The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask[]
In Termina Field, near Snowhead, a music bar engraved in stone depicts multiple warp songs from The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, including "Bolero of Fire". When played correctly on the Ocarina, Link is awarded Rupees.
Spoiler warning: Spoilers end here.
Other appearances[]
Subseries warning: This article or section contains information on a subseries within the Legend of Zelda series and should be considered part of its own separate canon.
Hyrule Warriors[]
As part of her Harp moveset, when her Harp is imbued with Fire Affinity (caused by performing a specific combo) and uses her Strong Attack, Sheik will play the Bolero of Fire to create a circle of fire that producing an explosive eruption of fire that damages any nearby enemies.
Subseries warning: Subseries information ends here.
Non-canonical appearances[]
Non-canon warning: This article or section contains non-canonical information that is not considered to be an official part of the Legend of Zelda series and should not be considered part of the overall storyline.
Super Smash Bros. Brawl[]
The "Bolero of Fire" is also heard in the "Ocarina of Time Medley" in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, along with "Zelda's Lullaby", the "Sun's Song", the "Minuet of Forest", the "Song of Storms", "Epona's Song", the "Song of Time", and "Saria's Song".
Non-canon warning: Non-canonical information ends here.
Etymology[]
A bolero is a name given to certain slow, romantic Latin music and its associated dance and song. There are also Spanish and Cuban forms, which are both significant and have separate origins. Darunia, Sage of Fire, loves music he can dance to. He expresses this when Young Link plays Saria's Song for him.
It was also similar in name to the orchestral piece Boléro by Maurice Ravel. Coincidentally, a rearranged version of this song was planned to be the theme for the first Zelda game, but the standard theme was created in its stead after Kōji Kondō realized it was still under copyright.[1]