Skip to content
Island Folklore logo

Island Folklore: Taiwanese Tales & Traditions

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

  • About
  • Contact
  • Donate
Press Enter / Return to begin your search.
  • Austronesian
  • Folktale
  • History
  • Indo-European
  • Japonic
  • Legend
  • Mythology
  • Sinitic
  • Tradition
The Island's Many Names
Austronesian History Indo-European Japonic Mythology SiniticSeptember 7, 2023September 8, 2023

The Island’s Many Names

Taiwan has had many names over the centuries. What do they mean? Where do they come from? Here’s a rundown of these names and their origins!

Read More
Taiwan's Cultures and Communities
Austronesian History SiniticAugust 3, 2023September 8, 2023

Taiwan’s Cultures and Communities

Taiwan’s not a big place. But it is home to an incredible diversity of cultures with 16 native Austronesian nations and three Sinitic groups.

Read More
The Languages of Taiwan
Austronesian History SiniticJuly 6, 2023September 8, 2023

The Languages of Taiwan

Taiwan is home to over 20 Austronesian and Sinitic languages. This incredible linguistic diversity reflects Taiwan’s multicultural roots.

Read More
A Timeline of Taiwanese History
Austronesian History Indo-European Japonic SiniticApril 6, 2023September 8, 2023

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.

Read More
Nine Categories of Taiwanese Folklore
Austronesian Folktale History Indo-European Japonic Legend Mythology Sinitic TraditionMarch 16, 2023September 8, 2023

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!

Read More
The Story of Yuma
Austronesian History TraditionAugust 4, 2022February 16, 2023

The Story of Yuma

Yuma Taru is a legendary figure among the Atayal people of Taiwan. She has dedicated her life to preserving Taiwan’s indigenous heritage.

Read More
Taiwan's Orchid Island: Ponso no Tao
Austronesian HistoryNovember 4, 2021November 1, 2021

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.

Read More
Red Leaves: Taiwan's Baseball Fever
Austronesian HistoryMarch 4, 2021February 27, 2023

Red Leaves: Taiwan’s Baseball Fever

How the Red Leaves, an indigenous Taiwanese Little League team, emerged “out of left field” to ignite Taiwan’s baseball fever!

Read More
The Dutch East India Company and Its Taiwanese Legacy
Austronesian History Indo-European SiniticJanuary 7, 2021January 3, 2023

The Dutch East India Company and Its Taiwanese Legacy

This is the story of how the Dutch East India Company arrived in Taiwan, named it, yanked it from its slumber and pushed it upon the world stage!

Read More
Bullseye: Taiwan's Bunun People, Warriors and Hunters
Austronesian History TraditionApril 2, 2020March 25, 2020

Bullseye: Taiwan’s Bunun People, Warriors and Hunters

Taiwan’s Bunun people are an indigenous Formosan nation of famed warriors and skilled hunters.

Read More
From Far Formosa: A Canadian-Taiwanese Story
Austronesian History Indo-European Legend SiniticDecember 5, 2019March 14, 2023

From Far Formosa: A Canadian-Taiwanese Story

How Canadian George Leslie Mackay built Taiwan’s Presbyterian Christian Church and brought healthcare to thousands.

Read More
February 28: Terror in Formosa
Austronesian History SiniticNovember 28, 2019February 28, 2020

February 28: Terror in Formosa

An Australian newspaper’s real-time report of a massacre that forever scarred the Taiwanese.

Read More

Page navigation

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • Next

Island Folklore Newsletter

Sign up to stay in the loop!

Explore Topics

Amis animal story Atayal biography Buddhism Bunun children's story Chinese zodiac Christianity colonialism creation story culture Dutch East India Company Dutch Formosa etymology fable festival flood myth folk hero folklore folk religion ghost ghost story giant Hakka headhunting Hokkien Hsinchu Kaohsiung Koxinga language linguistics mythical creature origin myth Paiwan Puyuma Qu Yuan sea goddess Seediq spirit Taiwanese language tea technology Thao TSMC
Island Folklore logo lg

Copyright © 2016 Island Folklore. All rights reserved. | Website by LDWS.

scroll to top