The 108 Stars of Destiny (Chinese: 一百零八星; pinyin: Yī Bǎi Líng Bā Xīng) 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 (Chinese: 宿星; pinyin: Sùxīng), the 108 Stars of Destiny are stars that represent 108 demonic overlords who have been banished by the Taoist sage Shangdi. Having repented since their banishment, the Stars are released from their place of banishment by accident, and are reborn in the world as 108 heroes who band together for the cause of justice.
Read more about this topic: List Of Water Margin Minor Characters
Famous quotes containing the words stars and/or destiny:
“Ere he was born, the stars of fate
Plotted to make him rich and great:
When from the womb the babe was loosed,
The gate of gifts behind him closed.”
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)
“The sacred obligation to the Union soldiers must not—will not be forgotten nor neglected.... But those who fought against the Nation cannot and do not look to it for relief.... Confederate soldiers and their descendants are to share with us and our descendants the destiny of America. Whatever, therefore, we their fellow citizens can do to remove burdens from their shoulders and to brighten their lives is surely in the pathway of humanity and patriotism.”
—Rutherford Birchard Hayes (1822–1893)