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
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.

Read More
History SiniticMarch 7, 2024November 27, 2023

Taiwanese Language: History, Culture and Linguistics

Taiwanese is more than a language; it’s a symbol of Taiwan’s rich culture, history and a living embodiment of Taiwan’s heritage and identity.

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
Taiwan's Cultures and Communities
Austronesian History SiniticAugust 3, 2023September 8, 2023

Taiwan’s Cultures and Communities

Taiwan’s not a big place. But it is home to an incredible diversity of cultures with 16 native Austronesian nations and three Sinitic groups.

Read More
The Languages of Taiwan
Austronesian History SiniticJuly 6, 2023September 8, 2023

The Languages of Taiwan

Taiwan is home to over 20 Austronesian and Sinitic languages. This incredible linguistic diversity reflects Taiwan’s multicultural roots.

Read More
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.

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
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!

Read More
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!

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

Page navigation

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • …
  • 5
  • 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