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
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!

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
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!

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
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!

Read More
Holy Cow: Taiwan's Bovine Folklore
Austronesian History Mythology Sinitic TraditionJuly 4, 2019August 20, 2020

Holy Cow: Taiwan’s Bovine Folklore

Taiwanese traditions that centre around the island’s cows, oxen and buffalos.

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

Page navigation

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 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