The 108 Heroes are the main characters of the Ming dynasty classic Chinese novel the Water Margin, which was written in the 14th century and usually attributed to Shi Nai'an. The heroes are divided into the 36 Heavenly Spirits and 72 Earthly Fiends, groups that are based on a belief in Daoism that Ursa Major has 36 Heavenly stars and 72 Earthly stars. The 108 Heroes represent 108 demonic generals who were banished by Shangdi, a supreme god in Chinese folk religion. Having repented since their banishment, the stars are released from imprisonment by accident, and are reborn in the world as 108 heroes who band together for the cause of justice. The bulk of the novel describes the lives of these men and women and how they came to come together in Mount Liang to rebel against the evil forces controlling the court of the Song dynasty.
Image: Song Jiang
Image: Utagawa Kuniyoshi 水滸傳 盧俊義
Image: Tsuzoku Suikoden Goketsu Hyakuhachi nin no Hitori (108 Heroes of 'The Water Margin' in Popular Translation) (BM 1906,1220,0.1311)
Image: Utagawa Kuniyoshi 水滸傳 公孫勝
Water Margin is one of the earliest Chinese novels written in vernacular Mandarin. It is one of the Four Classic Chinese Novels and is attributed to Shi Nai'an. It is also translated as Outlaws of the Marsh and All Men Are Brothers.
A page from a block-printed version of the novel Water Margin, brought to Copenhagen, Denmark in the early part of the 17th-century
A flag that says "Enforcing the Way in Heaven's Name" (Chinese: 替天行道; pinyin: Tì Tiān Xíng Dào) on Mount Liang in Liangshan County.
Lu Zhishen uproots a tree (Summer Palace mural)
Wu Song slaying a tiger (Summer Palace mural)