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" (宿星), 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 (天罡三十六星) are:

72 Earthly Fiends

The 72 Earthly Fiends (地煞七十二星) are:

Chao Gai's story

Song Jiang's story

Lu Junyi's story

Lin Chong's story

Chai Jin's story

Lu Zhishen's story

Wu Song's story

Dong Ping's story

Yang Zhi's story

Li Kui's story

Shi Jin's story

Lei Heng's story

Li Jun's story

The following persons are jianghu figures living around the Lake Tai area. They become sworn brothers with Li Jun and eventually follow him to Siam, where he becomes king.

Zhang Shun's story

Yang Xiong's story

Xie brothers' story

Zhu Family Village

Zeng Family Fortress

Gao Qiu's story

Song government

Liao Empire

"11 Star Generals"

The "11 Star Generals" (十一曜大將) are a military configuration based on the Nine Astronomical Bodies.

"28 Mansions Generals"

The "28 Mansions Generals" (二十八宿將軍) are a military configuration based on the 28 Mansions.

Youzhou

Bazhou

Jizhou

Tanzhou

Tian Hu forces

Weisheng Prefecture

Taiyuan County

Qinyuan County

Yushe County

Fenyang Prefecture

Lucheng County

Xiangyuan County

Jinning Prefecture

Zhaode Prefecture

Mount Baodu

Hu Pass

Yangcheng County

Qinshui County

Gaizhou

Gaoping County

Lingchuan County

Wang Qing forces

Wang family

Nanfeng

Mount Yique

Mount Ji

Shannan Prefecture

Jingnan Prefecture

Wanzhou

Xijing

Dongchuan, Yun'an and Ande prefectures

Others

Fang La forces

Fang family

Central government

Yuling Pass

Dongguan and Black Dragon Ridge

"Four Dragons of Zhejiang"

The "Four Dragons of Zhejiang" (浙江四龍) are four commanders of Fang La's naval forces at Muzhou and Black Dragon Ridge. After their defeat, Di Yuan and Qiao Zheng go missing; Cheng Gui and Xie Fu attempt to escape but are captured by civilians, handed over to the Liangshan forces, and subsequently executed.

"Four Great Marshals"

The "Four Great Marshals" (四大元帥) are four generals serving under Fang Tianding in Hangzhou.

"24 Officers of Hangzhou"

The "24 Officers of Hangzhou" (杭州二十四將) are 24 officers serving under Fang Tianding in Hangzhou.

Xiuzhou

Dusong Pass

"Eight Valiant Riders"

The "Eight Valiant Riders" (八驃騎) are eight warriors serving under Fang Mao in Suzhou.

Huzhou

Jiangyin and Taicang

Changzhou

Xuanzhou

"12 Deities of Jiangnan"

The "12 Deities of Jiangnan" (江南十二神) are 12 warriors serving under Lü Shinang.

Yangzhou

Others

Characters mentioned by name