Island Folklore: Taiwanese Tales & Traditions

The Food Taster

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

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

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

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

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

The story of an old Taiwanese chieftain who dared to march against the Empire of Japan.

A mysterious, otherworldly guide leads unsuspecting Thao hunters to a new homeland.

The indigenous folktale on the origin of the name of Taiwan’s beautiful Sun Moon Lake.

An ancient Atayal tale that tells of two suns in the sky and the hero who shot one down.

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

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

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