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Island Folklore: Taiwanese Tales & Traditions

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

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Nine Categories of Taiwanese Folklore
Austronesian Folktale History Indo-European Japonic Legend Mythology Sinitic TraditionMarch 16, 2023March 16, 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!

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Moon Rabbit and Rice Cake
Folktale Japonic Mythology Sinitic TraditionSeptember 2, 2021April 25, 2022

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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Tiger Aunt: Beware of Strangers
Folktale SiniticMay 6, 2021April 25, 2022

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.

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Taiwanese Bigfoot: The Tale of a Giant
Folktale Legend SiniticNovember 5, 2020April 25, 2022

Taiwanese Bigfoot: The Tale of a Giant

This is the unfortunate story of a Taiwanese Bigfoot who terrorized his neighbours and the real-life giant footprint he left behind.

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The Dumpling Sage: How Taiwan's Mount Banping Got Its Shape
Folktale Mythology SiniticAugust 6, 2020April 25, 2022

The Dumpling Sage: How Taiwan’s Mount Banping Got Its Shape

Visitors to Taiwan’s Kaohsiung City will notice an oddly shaped mountain called Mount Banping. This folktale reveals how it got its distinctive shape!

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The Bunny Girl
Folktale Legend Mythology Sinitic TraditionSeptember 20, 2018February 28, 2020

The Bunny Girl

The ancient Chinese tale of the lady who became the Goddess of the Moon.

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Ice Jelly
Folktale History Legend Mythology SiniticJuly 12, 2018February 28, 2020

Ice Jelly

A refreshing treat that brings an icy coolness to Taiwan’s sub-tropical summer heat.

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The Food Taster
Folktale Mythology SiniticApril 26, 2018February 28, 2020

The Food Taster

The story of a chieftain who died to give his people lifesaving knowledge.

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Fire and Water
Folktale Mythology SiniticApril 12, 2018February 28, 2020

Fire and Water

A catastrophic battle between two elements forces the Mother Goddess to take action.

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The Mother Goddess
Folktale Mythology SiniticMarch 29, 2018February 28, 2020

The Mother Goddess

The story of the mother goddess who created the first humans.

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In the Beginning
Folktale Mythology SiniticMarch 15, 2018February 28, 2020

In the Beginning

The tale of the giant born at the beginning of time and subsequently shaped the world.

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The Great Race
Folktale Mythology Sinitic TraditionMarch 1, 2018February 28, 2020

The Great Race

A race that determined the 12 signs of the zodiac and forever pitted cats against mice.

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