72 Earthly Fiends

The 108 Heroes (一百零八條好漢) are the main characters of the Chinese classical novel Water Margin, which was written in the 14th century and 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 demons who were banished by Shangdi, a supreme deity in Chinese folk religion. Having repented since their banishment, the demons 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 at Liangshan Marsh to rebel against the corrupt officials controlling the government of the ruling Song dynasty.