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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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Nine Categories of Taiwanese Folklore
Austronesian Folktale History Indo-European Japonic Legend Mythology Sinitic TraditionMarch 16, 2023March 16, 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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The Taiwan Dollar: The Story of How it Came to Be
History Japonic SiniticJune 2, 2022March 17, 2023

The Taiwan Dollar: The Story of How It Came to Be

The Taiwan dollar is Taiwan’s legal tender. This is the story of the modern Taiwanese currency and its predecessor the Taiwanese yen!

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Chop-Chop: The Folklore of Chopsticks
Sinitic TraditionApril 7, 2022April 25, 2022

Chop-Chop: The Folklore of Chopsticks

Chopsticks aren’t just essential to Taiwanese dining, numerous stories and folklore are associated with these versatile eating utensils!

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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.

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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!

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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.

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Tiger Aunt: Beware of Strangers
Folktale SiniticMay 6, 2021April 25, 2022

Tiger Aunt: Beware of Strangers

This classic Taiwanese folktale—with the infamous “hóo-koo-pô” or “tiger aunt”—teaches children to stay alert and beware of strangers.

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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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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.

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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!

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The Formosan Tiger: Taiwan's Big-Cat Folklore and History
History Japonic Sinitic TraditionJuly 2, 2020June 9, 2020

The Formosan Tiger: Taiwan’s Big-Cat Folklore and History

The Formosan Tiger features prominently in Taiwanese culture. Here are four examples!

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The Definitive Siu-Kiann Guide: Taiwanese Magic vs Your Five-Year-Old's Nightmares
Sinitic TraditionJune 4, 2020June 3, 2020

The Definitive Siu-Kiann Guide: Taiwanese Magic vs Your Five-Year-Old’s Nightmares

Behold, this is your definitive at-home siu-kiann guide for combating your child’s nightmares and mom’s sleep deprivation.

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