That means many of the traditions and customs of Taiwan have their origins in practices from thousands of years ago!
Today, I will share just three interesting facts about Taiwanese traditions that I hope you will find as cool as I do.
First, Taiwanese traditions come from many different places!
While Taiwan is not a part of mainland China, many Taiwanese people are Han Chinese and speak Mandarin Chinese. That means many of Taiwan’s traditions and customs look very similar to ones that you might find in China such as celebrating many of China’s festivals like the Mid-Autumn Festival or the Lantern Festival.
However, Taiwan was actually settled long before the Han Chinese arrived. These indigenous people, also known as the Formosan people, still make up more than 2% of Taiwan’s population and heavily influence Taiwan’s identity. You can find many of their traditions and customs on display at festivals and tourist attractions!
Finally, Taiwanese culture is also heavily influenced by Japanese culture! One interesting historical fact is that Taiwan was ruled by the Japanese from 1895 to 1945. As a result, you can still see Japanese influence in the art styles and food on the island.
As a bonus fact, Taiwanese people consider the number four unlucky. Actually, most people who speak Chinese do! The reason? The number four (四 sì) sounds very similar to the Chinese word for death (死 sǐ). In fact, they are spelled the same! The only difference is the tone you use when you say each word. As a result, some buildings won’t have a fourth floor!
