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East Asian Folktales - Page 9

A panorama of dragons, ancestral spirits, and moral wisdom from China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Mongolia, and Tibet.

the clever girl defeating Aunt Tiger with boiling water in this Taiwanese folktale.

The Legend of Aunt Tiger (Hó͘-ko͘-pô)

by Elizabeth Fabowale

October 14, 2025

Asian Folktales·East Asian Folktales

Long ago in a small village in Taiwan, nestled at the foot of a misty mountain, there lived two young children with their mother. Their home was simple but filled with warmth, laughter, and the scent of rice porridge cooking over a small fire. The children were playful and curious, and though their mother worked hard each day to provide

Zhu Yingtai and Liang Shanbo transforming into butterflies beside a blossoming tree, Chinese folktale scene

Asian Folktales·East Asian Folktales

The Chinese Legend of The Butterfly Lovers

In ancient China, during the Eastern Jin dynasty, there lived a young woman named Zhu Yingtai. She was the only daughter in a wealthy family, known for her intelligence, grace, and strong will. In those days, girls were not permitted to study alongside men. Yet Zhu Yingtai longed for knowledge

Akhu Tönpa feeding food into his robe sleeves to teach humility during a Tibetan village feast.

Akhu Tönpa the Trickster

In the high mountains of Tibet, where the wind carries the sound

Niulang and Zhinü meeting on the magpie bridge under the Milky Way, Chinese folktale scene.

The Cowherd and the Weaver Girl

Long ago, in the quiet countryside of ancient China, there lived a

swan maiden ascending above a lake as a hunter plays his fiddle in this Mongolian folktale.

The Swan Maiden of the Steppes

October 15, 2025

Asian Folktales·East Asian Folktales

Long ago, when the grasslands of Mongolia stretched endlessly under the blue sky, there lived a young hunter named Erden. He was known among the nomads for his skill with the bow and his kind heart. Erden lived alone in a felt tent near a silver stream. Each day, he

Batu riding the golden horse across the Mongolian steppe in this Mongolian folktale.

The Story of the Golden Horse

October 15, 2025

Asian Folktales·East Asian Folktales

Long ago, in the vast grasslands of Mongolia, there lived a poor herdsman named Batu. His life was simple but filled with hard work, guiding his small flock of sheep and goats across the rolling steppe. Each night, he would sleep beneath the stars, dreaming of a better life, yet

Namjil playing the morin khuur while Aranjagaan’s spirit appears in the sky, Mongolian folktale.

The Legend of the Morin Khuur

October 15, 2025

Asian Folktales·East Asian Folktales

Long ago, across the endless grasslands of Mongolia, there lived a young herder named Namjil. From dawn until dusk, he tended his small flock of sheep, guiding them over rolling hills and through sparkling streams. Though his life was simple, Namjil had a deep love for the animals in his

Thao couple fighting the dragon at Sun Moon Lake in this Taiwanese indigenous folktale.

The Legend of Sun Moon Lake

October 14, 2025

Asian Folktales·East Asian Folktales

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.

Paiwan folktale showing the Snake Spirit with his true wife beside a sacred river in Taiwan.

The Younger Sister Marries the Snake

October 14, 2025

Asian Folktales·East Asian Folktales

In the southern mountains of Taiwan, where the rivers twist like silver ribbons and the air hums with the voices of cicadas, there lived a Paiwan chief with two daughters. The elder daughter was proud and ambitious, while the younger was quiet, kind, and gentle. Their father loved them both,

Princess Baleng and the Snake King

October 14, 2025

Asian Folktales·East Asian Folktales

Long ago, in the misty mountains of southern Taiwan, the Rukai people lived close to nature, honoring the forests, rivers, and sacred lakes that gave them life. Among them was a chieftain’s daughter named Princess Baleng, a young woman of rare beauty and gentle spirit. Her people said her eyes

Ureongi Gaksi (The Snail Bride)

October 14, 2025

Asian Folktales·East Asian Folktales

Long ago, in a quiet mountain village in Korea, there lived a poor young man who spent his days farming a small patch of land. Though his hands were rough and his clothes worn, his heart was gentle, and he always shared what little he had. Yet he was lonely,

the Fox Sister transforming under the moonlight as her brothers confront her in this Korean folktale.

The Fox Sister – Korean Folktale

October 14, 2025

Asian Folktales·East Asian Folktales

Long ago, in a quiet village surrounded by misty hills and rice fields, there lived an old couple who had long prayed for children. Every morning they visited the temple, lighting incense and offering bowls of rice to the spirits. “Please bless us with a child to care for in

a tiger hiding by a Korean house, overhearing a mother mention a gotgam, traditional Korean folktale scene.

The Tiger and the Dried Persimmon

October 14, 2025

Asian Folktales·East Asian Folktales

In the misty mountains of old Korea, there once lived a mighty tiger. His fur gleamed like golden fire, his eyes blazed like lanterns in the dark, and his roar echoed from valley to valley. Every creature feared him, and even hunters dared not wander too deep into his territory.

the fairy maiden ascending to heaven while the woodcutter reaches for her in this Korean folktale.

The Fairy and the Woodcutter

October 14, 2025

Asian Folktales·East Asian Folktales

Long ago, deep in the mountains of Korea, there lived a humble woodcutter and his elderly mother. The man worked tirelessly each day, chopping firewood and carrying it down the steep paths to sell in the village. Though they were poor, he was known for his kindness and gentle heart.

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East Asian Folktales - Page 9

The Legend of Aunt Tiger (Hó͘-ko͘-pô)

The Chinese Legend of The Butterfly Lovers

Akhu Tönpa the Trickster

The Cowherd and the Weaver Girl

The Swan Maiden of the Steppes

The Story of the Golden Horse

The Legend of the Morin Khuur

The Legend of Sun Moon Lake

The Younger Sister Marries the Snake

Princess Baleng and the Snake King

Ureongi Gaksi (The Snail Bride)

The Fox Sister – Korean Folktale

The Tiger and the Dried Persimmon

The Fairy and the Woodcutter

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