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
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.

Read More
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.

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
Is "Underfoot" a Nice Thing to Call Your Friend?
History Legend Mythology Sinitic TraditionJanuary 27, 2022April 25, 2022

Is “Underfoot” a Nice Thing To Call Your Friend?

“Underfoot”—a bizarre ancient Chinese endearing form of address between friends. As with most odd folk expressions, there’s a story behind it.

Read More
How It All "Bi Gan": A Surname Origin Story
History Legend Mythology SiniticJuly 1, 2021June 12, 2021

How It All “Bi Gan”: A Surname Origin Story

Two extremely common Taiwanese family names share an origin story that dates back over 3,000 years to a sage named Bi Gan.

Read More
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.

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
Demon Birds and Fine Ceramics
Legend Mythology SiniticMarch 28, 2019February 28, 2020

Demon Birds and Fine Ceramics

What do a giant stone demon bird and fine ceramics have in common? Both are found in a quiet, scenic town near the Taiwanese capital!

Read More
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.

Read More
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.

Read More
Rice Dumplings
History Legend Sinitic TraditionJune 14, 2018February 28, 2020

Rice Dumplings

More than just a festival treat, rice dumplings are a tasty snack that the Taiwanese have loved for centuries!

Read More
The Old Chieftain
Austronesian History LegendFebruary 1, 2018February 28, 2020

The Old Chieftain

The story of an old Taiwanese chieftain who dared to march against the Empire of Japan.

Read More

Page navigation

  • 1
  • 2
  • 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