Column of Light

Columns of light are bright pillars that appear in Skyward Sword. They serve two functions: allow access to The Surface and facilitate navigation while above and below the clouds.

Access to the Surface
Because the Surface and The Sky are separated by a Cloud Barrier created by the goddess Hylia, many of the Skyloftians are unaware of what lies below the clouds and believe it to be a forsaken and barren place.

Each time Link places an Ancient Tablet in the altar within the Statue of the Goddess, a column of light of the respective color of both the region and the tablet will appear and make an opening in the cloud barrier. The pillar, which is visible from anywhere in the Sky, allows the young hero to go through the cloud barrier and reach the Surface by dropping off near the column with the aid of his Loftwing.

Waypoint
When Link places a Beacon on his map, either on the Surface and the Sky, a blue column of light will appear, acting as his waypoint to reach the desired location. Once the young hero has no more need of the beacon, he can remove it, causing the column of light to vanish as well.