Tzuyu In A Fish Hat
Most Tzuyus in Taiwanese Folklore were said to live in the forest, leading animals around like pretty elves.
But one legend tells of a different kind of Tzu. A rare and mysterious Tzu who lived in the Ocean.
Sailors would come back from long trips at sea and tell stories of a beautiful singing Tzuyu who would appear in the distance after bad storms. Her gentle singing was said to calm the waters and bring back the sun, letting them know they would be okay.
One fishing village even started praying to the Sea Tzu before long voyages, hoping that the ocean angel would watch over their husbands on their trip so they could come home safely.
It was said the beautiful ocean angel was the most gentle of sea creatures. An angel of the sea. Who could calm even the meanest of sharks and get them to spit out the poor fish they were eating, letting them go free.
Such is the Sea Tzus power.
Most of the stories are forgotten. But this myth is still remembered by descendants of the fishing villages, passed down from grandma to grandma.
At least that's what a Taiwanese Grandmother told me.