Rep we aren't on about dungeons but temples like the Wind Temple and Earth Temple in WW. Those places do seem like proving grounds for the sage and or link but Dragon Roost and Forbidden Woods i wouldn't even class as Dungeons just two hazardous places link is forced to go to. Damn Deku Tree and...
Well if you think about the Kokiri are Innocent, Gorons are highly passionate, Zoras are Thoughtful creatures, they are prone to think more than the other races. The Shiekah work in Shadows and Secrecy and the Gerudo are strong of spirit to endure the desert
Forest = Innocence
Fire = Passion
Water = Thought
Shadow = Secrecy
Spirit = Strength
That is what i think is each of the Temple Values what each race would have in common with their temple.
Referring to the "Shrine" comment. That would explain the Goron Hammer and the Hero's Bow in OOT and TP they were sacred artifacts of the race so they enshrined them in their holy place. Also none of the Temples were evil places. But evil did creep in. Heck in OOT we literally saw Bongo Bongo...
I need to add something. Has no one thought that these temples are in fact locations of spiritual importance because in OOT, Saria entered the Forest Temple to aid the Forest Spirits and awaken as a Sage of the Forest. Each Temple to me seems to be in the most empiric of spiritual locations for...