Island Folklore: Taiwanese Tales & Traditions

An online repository of Taiwan’s folktales, history, legends, myths and traditions.

Author: Island Folklore

  • In the Shadows

    In the Shadows

    Island Folklore
    Taiwanese Tales & Traditions • An online repository of Taiwan’s folktales, history, legends, myths and traditions.

    Fairies, genies and demons—Eurasian hinterlands are home to mythical beings, like Taiwan’s “mô-sîn-á.”

  • The Ghost and the Fisherman

    The Ghost and the Fisherman

    Island Folklore
    Taiwanese Tales & Traditions • An online repository of Taiwan’s folktales, history, legends, myths and traditions.

    Ghost stories are not always scary. This is one characterized by joy, friendship and kindness.

  • Under the Hala Tree (II)

    Under the Hala Tree (II)

    Island Folklore
    Taiwanese Tales & Traditions • An online repository of Taiwan’s folktales, history, legends, myths and traditions.

    Part II of the tragic, bloody tale of the Lady of the Hala Trees.

  • Under the Hala Tree (I)

    Under the Hala Tree (I)

    Island Folklore
    Taiwanese Tales & Traditions • An online repository of Taiwan’s folktales, history, legends, myths and traditions.

    Beneath the Hala Tree, a tragic maiden’s spirit lingers. This is her tale.

  • Ghost Month

    Ghost Month

    Island Folklore
    Taiwanese Tales & Traditions • An online repository of Taiwan’s folktales, history, legends, myths and traditions.

    The seventh lunar month is widely known in Taiwan as Guǐyuè, literally “Ghost Month.”

  • May Snow

    May Snow

    Island Folklore
    Taiwanese Tales & Traditions • An online repository of Taiwan’s folktales, history, legends, myths and traditions.

    Under Tung blossoms, a new folk festival spearheads Taiwan’s modern Hakka cultural revival!

  • Martyrs

    Martyrs

    Island Folklore
    Taiwanese Tales & Traditions • An online repository of Taiwan’s folktales, history, legends, myths and traditions.

    Memories of martyrs help a struggling people find their identity in a brave new world.

  • Trail of Tears

    Trail of Tears

    Island Folklore
    Taiwanese Tales & Traditions • An online repository of Taiwan’s folktales, history, legends, myths and traditions.

    This “hill song” records memories of the first Hakkas arriving in Taiwan in the 1600s.

  • Bear and Leopard

    Bear and Leopard

    Island Folklore
    Taiwanese Tales & Traditions • An online repository of Taiwan’s folktales, history, legends, myths and traditions.

    Black Bears and Clouded Leopards were not always black and spotted. This is their tale.

  • Seventh Eve

    Seventh Eve

    Island Folklore
    Taiwanese Tales & Traditions • An online repository of Taiwan’s folktales, history, legends, myths and traditions.

    A love story—once each year, two stars cross the “Silver River” for a long-awaited reunion.