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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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Sun Moon Lake
Austronesian Folktale MythologyJanuary 4, 2018February 28, 2020

Sun Moon Lake

The indigenous folktale on the origin of the name of Taiwan’s beautiful Sun Moon Lake.

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Sundown
Austronesian Folktale MythologyDecember 21, 2017February 28, 2020

Sundown

An ancient Atayal tale that tells of two suns in the sky and the hero who shot one down.

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The Ghost and the Fisherman
Folktale SiniticOctober 19, 2017February 28, 2020

The Ghost and the Fisherman

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

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Under the Hala Tree II
Folktale SiniticOctober 5, 2017February 28, 2020

Under the Hala Tree (II)

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

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Under the Hala Tree I
Folktale SiniticSeptember 21, 2017February 28, 2020

Under the Hala Tree (I)

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

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Martyrs
Folktale History Legend SiniticJuly 27, 2017February 28, 2020

Martyrs

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

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Bear and Leopard
Austronesian Folktale MythologyJune 29, 2017February 28, 2020

Bear and Leopard

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

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Seventh Eve
Folktale Mythology Sinitic TraditionJune 15, 2017August 21, 2020

Seventh Eve

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

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Fireflies
Folktale Mythology SiniticMarch 30, 2017April 26, 2020

Fireflies

A short, tragic tale that tells of how fireflies came to be and how they got their name.

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Our Lady's Child
Austronesian Folktale History Indo-EuropeanMarch 16, 2017January 3, 2023

Our Lady’s Child?

Take a guess: Is this a German fairy tale? Or is it a Taiwanese folktale? Explore the secret behind stories from opposite sides of the earth.

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The Rooster's Crow
Austronesian Folktale MythologyDecember 1, 2016February 28, 2020

The Rooster’s Crow

Why do roosters crow? Why do stags have antlers? Why are dogs good deer-hunting companions?

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The Mouse's Bride
Folktale Sinitic TraditionDecember 1, 2016February 28, 2020

The Mouse’s Bride

From a children’s tale: On the 3rd day of the Lunar New Year, the mice welcome their brides.

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