Author: Island Folklore
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A Timeline of Taiwanese History
Taiwan has a long and colourful history. From Austronesian cultural explosions to modern tech booms, it has never ceased to amaze.
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Nine Categories of Taiwanese Folklore
We organize Taiwanese folklore into nine broad and overlapping categories. Four based on ethnic origin, and five on folkloric genre!
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That Time a Frenchman Pretended to be Taiwanese in 1704
In 1704, the fantastical book “Description of Formosa” was published in London, England—and it was full of nonsense and gobbledygook!
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The Taiwan Dollar: The Story of How It Came to Be
The Taiwan dollar is Taiwan’s legal tender. This is the story of the modern Taiwanese currency and its predecessor the Taiwanese yen!
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Chop-Chop: The Folklore of Chopsticks
Chopsticks aren’t just essential to Taiwanese dining, numerous stories and folklore are associated with these versatile eating utensils!
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Is “Underfoot” a Nice Thing To Call Your Friend?
“Underfoot”—a bizarre ancient Chinese endearing form of address between friends. As with most odd folk expressions, there’s a story behind it.
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Taiwan’s Orchid Island: Ponso no Tao
Taiwan is actually comprised of nearly 200 islands. One of these, Orchid Island, is home to the unique indigenous culture of the Tao people.
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Moon Rabbit and Rice Cake
The moon rabbit is a folkloric character linked to Chinese Moon Festivals. In Taiwan, Korea and Japan, it’s also associated with rice cakes!
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How It All “Bi Gan”: A Surname Origin Story
Two extremely common Taiwanese family names share an origin story that dates back over 3,000 years to a sage named Bi Gan.
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Tiger Aunt: Beware of Strangers
This classic Taiwanese folktale—with the infamous “hóo-koo-pô” or “tiger aunt”—teaches children to stay alert and beware of strangers.