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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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What Happened to Taipei's Grand Shinto Shrine?
History JaponicSeptember 3, 2020May 26, 2022

What Happened to Taipei’s Grand Shinto Shrine?

The Taiwan Jingū (Grand Shrine of Taiwan) was chief among Taiwan’s 66 official Shinto shrines. What happened to it? Find out here!

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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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Bullseye: Taiwan's Bunun People, Warriors and Hunters
Austronesian History TraditionApril 2, 2020March 25, 2020

Bullseye: Taiwan’s Bunun People, Warriors and Hunters

Taiwan’s Bunun people are an indigenous Formosan nation of famed warriors and skilled hunters.

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Writing the Taiwanese Language: A POJ Story
History Indo-European SiniticFebruary 6, 2020January 3, 2023

Writing the Taiwanese Language: The POJ Story

This is the story of a bizarre and fascinating writing system, developed in the 1800s, used to write the Taiwanese language.

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From Far Formosa: A Canadian-Taiwanese Story
Austronesian History Indo-European Legend SiniticDecember 5, 2019January 3, 2023

From Far Formosa: A Canadian-Taiwanese Story

How Canadian George Leslie Mackay built Taiwan’s Presbyterian Christian Church and brought healthcare to thousands.

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February 28: Terror in Formosa
Austronesian History SiniticNovember 28, 2019February 28, 2020

February 28: Terror in Formosa

An Australian newspaper’s real-time report of a massacre that forever scarred the Taiwanese.

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Bolivian Silver and Nagasaki Cash
Austronesian History Indo-European SiniticSeptember 5, 2019January 3, 2023

Bolivian Silver and Nagasaki Cash

The fascinating, global story of early Taiwanese money.

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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.

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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!

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Stories Behind Taiwan's Place-Names
Austronesian History Japonic SiniticDecember 25, 2018February 28, 2020

Stories Behind Taiwan’s Place-Names

A tongue-in-cheek guide to the bizarre and multifaceted history of Taiwanese toponyms.

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