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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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May Snow
History Sinitic TraditionAugust 10, 2017January 10, 2021

May Snow

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

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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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Trail of Tears
History Legend SiniticJuly 13, 2017February 28, 2020

Trail of Tears

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

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Dragon Boats
History Legend Sinitic TraditionJune 1, 2017June 25, 2020

Dragon Boats

The history and activities of the popular festival that marks the coming of summer in Taiwan!

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Lady Compassion
History Indo-European Sinitic TraditionApril 20, 2017March 22, 2023

Lady Compassion

This is the story of the evolution of Taiwan’s beloved Goddess of Mercy—how a Buddhist princely saint became a motherly deity for the Taiwanese.

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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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A Tale of Two Cities
History Sinitic TraditionMarch 8, 2017January 10, 2021

A Tale of Two Cities

“Three-eight” is both the date of International Women’s Day (March 8) and a very common Taiwanese expression or tease. What’s the connection? Find out here!

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Matriarch
Austronesian History TraditionMarch 2, 2017March 10, 2021

Matriarch

In the ancient homeland of the Amis and Puyuma peoples on Taiwan’s Pacific coast, women once ruled. Learn about these traditional matriarchal societies!

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A Robin Hood Tale
History Legend SiniticDecember 7, 2016February 28, 2020

A Robin Hood Tale

This is the legendary tale of a petty criminal who became an outlaw and a folk hero in Taiwan.

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The Pirate King
History Legend SiniticDecember 1, 2016July 21, 2021

The Pirate King

In the late 1600s, the pirate king, Koxinga, ruled over the island of Taiwan. Today, he is a Taiwanese folk hero and this is his story.

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