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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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The Food Taster
Folktale Mythology SiniticApril 26, 2018February 28, 2020

The Food Taster

The story of a chieftain who died to give his people lifesaving knowledge.

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Fire and Water
Folktale Mythology SiniticApril 12, 2018February 28, 2020

Fire and Water

A catastrophic battle between two elements forces the Mother Goddess to take action.

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The Mother Goddess
Folktale Mythology SiniticMarch 29, 2018February 28, 2020

The Mother Goddess

The story of the mother goddess who created the first humans.

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In the Beginning
Folktale Mythology SiniticMarch 15, 2018February 28, 2020

In the Beginning

The tale of the giant born at the beginning of time and subsequently shaped the world.

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The Great Race
Folktale Mythology Sinitic TraditionMarch 1, 2018February 28, 2020

The Great Race

A race that determined the 12 signs of the zodiac and forever pitted cats against mice.

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Red Cloak
Austronesian History Legend SiniticDecember 7, 2017February 28, 2020

Red Cloak

As newcomers settled in Taiwan, they faced the terror of the island’s notorious headhunters.

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In the Shadows
Austronesian Mythology Sinitic TraditionNovember 2, 2017October 7, 2020

In the Shadows

Fairies, genies and demons—Eurasian hinterlands are home to mythical beings, like Taiwan’s “mô-sîn-á.”

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The Ghost and the Fisherman
Folktale SiniticOctober 19, 2017February 28, 2020

The Ghost and the Fisherman

Ghost stories are not always scary. This is one characterized by joy, friendship and kindness.

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Under the Hala Tree II
Folktale SiniticOctober 5, 2017February 28, 2020

Under the Hala Tree (II)

Part II of the tragic, bloody tale of the Lady of the Hala Trees.

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Under the Hala Tree I
Folktale SiniticSeptember 21, 2017February 28, 2020

Under the Hala Tree (I)

Beneath the Hala Tree, a tragic maiden’s spirit lingers. This is her tale.

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Ghost Month
Sinitic TraditionSeptember 7, 2017February 28, 2020

Ghost Month

The seventh lunar month is widely known in Taiwan as Guǐyuè, literally “Ghost Month.”

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May Snow
History Sinitic TraditionAugust 10, 2017January 10, 2021

May Snow

Under Tung blossoms, a new folk festival spearheads Taiwan’s modern Hakka cultural revival!

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