The following is a list of characters in Water Margin, one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature.
108 Stars of Destiny
The 108 Stars of Destiny are at the core of the plot of Water Margin. Based on the Taoist concept that each person's destiny is tied to a "Star of Destiny" (), the 108 Stars of Destiny are stars representing 108 demonic overlords who were banished by the deity Shangdi. Having repented since their expulsion, the 108 Stars are accidentally released from their place of confinement, and are reborn in the world as 108 heroes who band together for the cause of justice. They are divided into the 36 Heavenly Spirits and 72 Earthly Fiends.
36 Heavenly Spirits
The 36 Heavenly Spirits () are:
Song Jiang (), nicknamed "Protector of Righteousness" () and "Timely Rain" () Lu Junyi (), nicknamed "Jade Qilin" () Wu Yong (), nicknamed "Resourceful Star" () Gongsun Sheng (), nicknamed "Dragon in the Clouds" () Guan Sheng (), nicknamed "Great Blade" () Lin Chong (), nicknamed "Panther Head" () Qin Ming (), nicknamed "Fiery Thunderbolt" () Huyan Zhuo (), nicknamed "Double Clubs" () Hua Rong (), nicknamed "Little Li Guang" () Chai Jin (), nicknamed "Little Whirlwind" () Li Ying (), nicknamed "Striking Hawk" () Zhu Tong (), nicknamed "Lord of the Beautiful Beard" () Lu Zhishen (), nicknamed "Flowery Monk" () Wu Song (), nicknamed "Pilgrim" () Dong Ping (), nicknamed "General of Double Spears" () Zhang Qing (), nicknamed "Featherless Arrow" () Yang Zhi (), nicknamed "Blue Faced Beast" () Xu Ning (), nicknamed "Gold Lancer" () Suo Chao (), nicknamed "Impatient Vanguard" () Dai Zong (), nicknamed "Magic Traveller" () Liu Tang (), nicknamed "Red Haired Devil" () Li Kui (), nicknamed "Black Whirlwind" () Shi Jin (), nicknamed "Nine Tattooed Dragons" () Mu Hong (), nicknamed "Unrestrained" () Lei Heng (), nicknamed "Winged Tiger" () Li Jun (), nicknamed "Turbulent River Dragon" () Ruan Xiaoer (), nicknamed "Tai Sui Who Stands His Ground" () Zhang Heng (), nicknamed "Boatman" () Ruan Xiaowu (), nicknamed "Short-lived Second Brother" () Zhang Shun (), nicknamed "White Jumping in the Waves" () Ruan Xiaoqi (), nicknamed "Living King Yama" () Yang Xiong (), nicknamed "Superior to Guan Suo" () Shi Xiu (), nicknamed "Daredevil Third Brother" () Xie Zhen (), nicknamed "Double-headed Serpent" () Xie Bao (), nicknamed "Twin-tailed Scorpion" () Yan Qing (), nicknamed "Prodigal/Wanderer" ()
72 Earthly Fiends
The 72 Earthly Fiends () are: