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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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Bodhidharma Tales: Origin of Zen Buddhism
History Indo-European Legend Mythology Sinitic TraditionSeptember 5, 2024September 30, 2023

Bodhidharma Tales: Origin of Zen Buddhism

In the heart of the Shaolin Temple, nestled among the ancient halls and towering trees, Bodhidharma, founder of Zen, sat in deep meditation.

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The Buddha
Indo-European Legend Mythology SiniticJuly 4, 2024October 3, 2023

The Buddha

The story of the Buddha is a great source of inspiration and serves as a guide for millions of Buddhists in Taiwan and around the globe.

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Oriental Beauty: How Formosa Tea Shaped Taiwan
History Indo-European SiniticMay 21, 2024October 3, 2023

Oriental Beauty: How Formosa Tea Shaped Taiwan

In the 1800s, Taiwan’s Formosa tea made merchants rich and drove social progress impacting female workers, banking and workers’ benefits.

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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!

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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.

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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!

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That Time a Frenchman Pretended to be Taiwanese in 1704
History Indo-EuropeanJanuary 5, 2023February 27, 2023

That Time a Frenchman Pretended to be Taiwanese in 1704

In 1704, the fantastical book “Description of Formosa” was published in London, England—and it was full of nonsense and gobbledygook!

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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!

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Writing the Taiwanese Language: A POJ Story
History Indo-European SiniticFebruary 6, 2020January 3, 2023

Writing the Taiwanese Language: The POJ Story

This is the story of a bizarre and fascinating writing system, developed in the 1800s, used to write the Taiwanese language.

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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.

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Bolivian Silver and Nagasaki Cash
Austronesian History Indo-European SiniticSeptember 5, 2019January 3, 2023

Bolivian Silver and Nagasaki Cash

The fascinating, global story of early Taiwanese money.

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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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