Category: Sinitic
Han Chinese settlers began arriving in Taiwan in the 1600s. Their stories—passed down in the many distinct Sinitic, Han or Chinese languages of Taiwan—are undeniably central to Taiwanese folklore and culture in general. They include stories born on the island from the experiences of settlers since the 17th century and tales that originated on the continent that were subsequently brought to the island.
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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?
“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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Behold, this is your definitive at-home siu-kiann guide for combating your child’s nightmares and mom’s sleep deprivation.