Long ago, before the mountains and rivers of Taiwan took their present form, the world was lit by two great orbs, the Sun and the Moon, who journeyed faithfully across the sky. They gave warmth to the forests, light to the seas, and life to the people of the land. Among these people lived the Thao tribe, who made their home in a lush valley filled with mist and songbirds.
One peaceful evening, as the Thao villagers prepared their fires, darkness fell suddenly upon the world. The Sun and Moon had vanished from the heavens. The people cried out in fear. Rivers froze, crops withered, and the stars flickered weakly in the cold black sky.
In a small hut near the forest edge lived a humble couple. They were known for their kindness and their devotion to the spirits. Though poor, they shared what little they had and often prayed at dawn for the well-being of their people. When the darkness came, they lit a single lamp and prayed for guidance.
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That night, as they slept, a radiant being appeared to them in a dream, a divine messenger clothed in starlight. “Brave ones,” the spirit said, “a giant dragon from the Eastern Sea has swallowed the Sun and the Moon. Without them, life will perish. But if you are pure of heart and fearless, you may save the world. Go to the dragon’s cave and retrieve the light.”
When the couple awoke, the lamp in their hut still glowed with the light of the spirit’s presence. Taking this as a sign, they set out at dawn, carrying only bamboo spears, gourds of water, and faith in their hearts. They journeyed across the forests and up the sacred mountain, where the air shimmered with mist and echoes of ancient songs.
For many days they walked, until they reached the shores of a great lake. The surface glowed faintly, and beneath it they saw the coiled form of the monstrous dragon, its scales gleaming like black jade. Its eyes burned with the stolen light of the Sun and Moon.
The couple trembled but remembered the spirit’s words. “We must face this darkness together,” said the man. The woman nodded, her voice steady. “If we do not, all life will fade.”
They approached the lake and called upon the spirit for courage. As the dragon rose from the depths, shaking the earth with its roar, the couple leapt forward. The man thrust his spear, and the woman threw her torch of sacred flame. The dragon fought fiercely, waves crashing over the shore, but their faith did not falter. With a final cry, the beast fell.
Guided by the divine voice once more, they took the dragon’s eyes one bright as the sun, the other cool as the moon and placed them upon the hilltops. Suddenly, light burst forth. The sky ignited with dawn, rivers sparkled, and life returned to the land. The people rejoiced, dancing beneath the returning warmth.
Where the Sun and Moon had fallen from the dragon’s grasp, two luminous pools formed side by side, one round and golden like the Sun, the other soft and silver like the Moon. These joined to become a single, sacred lake: Sun Moon Lake, the heart of the Thao homeland.
In gratitude, the Thao built shrines along its shores and performed songs of remembrance each year. They spoke of the brave couple who had restored light to the world and honored them as protectors of harmony between humankind and the heavens.
To this day, when the sun glows upon one half of the lake and the moon shimmers upon the other, the Thao say it is the spirit of that couple watching over the world they saved.
Moral Lesson
The Legend of Sun Moon Lake teaches that courage and devotion can restore balance even in the darkest times. It reminds us that harmony between humans and nature is sacred, and that light, once lost, can be reclaimed through faith and unity.
Knowledge Check
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Who were the main heroes in the story?
A humble husband and wife from the Thao tribe. -
What caused the disappearance of the Sun and Moon?
A dragon from the Eastern Sea swallowed them. -
Who guided the couple on their journey?
A divine messenger or spirit appeared to them in a dream. -
How did they defeat the dragon?
They used courage, a bamboo spear, and a torch of sacred flame. -
What happened when they placed the dragon’s eyes on the hills?
The Sun and Moon were restored, and light returned to the world. -
What natural landmark was formed from this event?
Sun Moon Lake, now sacred to the Thao people.
Source
Adapted from The Legend of Sun Moon Lake, Thao indigenous legend in Taiwan Aboriginal Myths and Legends, compiled by Lin Hsien-tang (1968), Taipei: Ethnological Society of Taiwan.
Cultural Origin: Taiwan (Thao Indigenous Folklore)
