Origin, uses and functions of the Shadow temple.

Originally Posted by vIsitor

The purpose of the Shadow Temple? Hmm...I'll have to think about that.

Perhaps the Shadow Temple has no singular purpose, but instead the true intent of its builders is shrouded by the illusions that are now prevalent within the structure.

Notice how the beginning of the dungeon appears to function as a sort of mass grave or catacomb.

Elsewhere in the dungeon there is evidence of the Temple being a sort of prison, and in some places there are a number of traps and torture devices.

In some places there are large open areas complete with huge fan-like devices.

And the numerous symbols about the temple and the flaming skull cauldrons infer a sort of shadow worship.


My theory, which I imagine could very easily be refuted by any serious lore buff, is that the Temple was originally a large, sub-terrainian vent-system for purposes unknown. Later, it was converted to a sort of covert prison/interrigation center. Later still, it was used as a place of dark worship by cultists (the Sheikia, perhaps?). The catacombs may have been built during any of these periods, but I imagine that there was never a lack of corpses to add. Being a place of darkness, the location was perfect for the role of shadow temple, as that was where the shadow was strongest.

Mabey it was used for all of these theories. Part was a grave, part was a prison/torture chamber and part was a temple for dark cults. I doubt it was the Sheikah though. If they were evil, why have they served and protected the Royal Family for hundreds of years?

I think the Shadow Temple was build by the Sheikahs.
Since they're the Shadow Tribe. as said in the game: "The shadow folk"
It wouldn't surprise me if it'd be true.

I think the Shadow Temple was build by the Sheikahs.
Since they're the Shadow Tribe. as said in the game: "The shadow folk"
It wouldn't surprise me if it'd be true.

Yes, thats one of the more likely possibilities, but it hardy explains the savage, dark nature of the shadow temple. I doubt, that even the Sheikah would build such a place - even for their dead - unless it had some deeper purpose. And creating a place to seal away evil could have been one of their duties as servants of the royal family. If that is true, the evil within the temple must have festered for years, but the element within the temple that aided link in sealing away Ganon of course, remained.

However, If the shadow temple was used to seal away evil, how does this even begin to explain the temples motif? The temple was intended for the Shadow Sage, whats up with the strange fans, ect? The guillotines, spikes and pits indicate one thing. Torture. So maybe the shadow temple has undergone many different purposes over time, and almost all of them evil, although that may have not been what the temple was origionally intended for.

Sheikah were experts at hiding and obscurity. Perhaps they were given the task of hiding Hyrule's dark past.

Excellent point! Even the Temple says something along those lines, I had thought it was to show a time that Hyrule had gone through. It'soften miscounted that such a thing as the "Fierce War" happened only 10 years before Ocarina of Time. Though the Shadow Temple is certainly older then that. If Ocarina of Time is the beginning then Twilight Princess gives us a good idea of what happened prior to that, If you take the symbolism at Lanayru in a certain way, it seems to be saying, that in the Light of such great power, many wished to claim it,

My thoughts were that maybe the Shadow Temple and the dungeon under the well was first built by the Sheikah as bunkers during the war (hence the ventilation fans).
Im not sure who the war was against, but i think its a fair assumption to presume that it was against some sort of Undead race consisting of Zombies, the white guys with the arms and Bongo-Bongo. Perhaps even the skeletons and Poes still lingering in Hyrule Field.
The Undead came in and turned it a torture chamber, but was used to torture the Sheikah. This explains the death of the race (excluding Impa of course), and also when it says that it contains Hyrules dark past.
But eventually they were sealed inside by Impa.

My thoughts on the Shadow Temple were always that it was a sort of mass tomb or shrine to the dead. The Zelda universe doesn't seem to go by any sort of heaven/hell system regarding its afterlife, so I'd just assume that it's neither a shrine to evil or good. In fact, the dead are portrayed pretty much entirely as neutral throughout the series, and the only ones that are really ever violent are just restless (giving rest to the Composer Brothers in Majora's Mask; ReDeads are supposed to be the dead who are not fulfilled; etc.), or employed by some antagonist in the game.

I always though it was a ancient Sheikah Tomb that was taken over by Necromancer type people who worship a dark God. And the Dead Hand was one of the Necromantic experiments turned loose. Maybe the guy who lived in the house where the well is was secretly a Necromancer. And the well was his secret lab or something. And Perhaps Bongo-Bongo was the dark god they worshipped. If it was a tomb, though why would the dead bodies be lying around and not in a casket or something? Hence, profane experimentation.

But my theory is a little out there.

Originally Posted by Average Gamer

I have always seen the Shadow Temple as a sign of Hyrule being much more dark and unclean than it appeared. As seen by Impa, it is supposed to be a normal place that houses an element to fight evil, yet the very nature of the area is evil. It also serves to make all shadow in Hyrule look completely evil. It is evident that torture occured there, as well as dark arts and possibly diety worship.

The Bottom of the Well, or as I call it, the Labyrinth, is another such place. In my opinion, the guy who lived over it was like Jigsaw from Saw. He captured people and built his underground dungeon to torture and experiment on them, as well as hiding the bodies. When he died, his secret was discovered and the Shiekah sealed his home away. I think the spirit of this man was Bongo-Bongo.

You may be right, but I think he was tortured there for some crime that he had committed. Most likely, one of these torture techniques cut off his hands, which is why his hands are severed in the form of the monstrous Bongo-Bongo.

Holy necro bump! Feel free to start a new thread about this since the last discussion was from 2007.