Ma Lin (Water Margin)
Ma Lin is a fictional character in Water Margin, one of the Four Great Classical Novels in Chinese literature. Nicknamed "Iron Flute Deity", he ranks 67th among the 108 Stars of Destiny and 31st among the 72 Earthly Fiends.
| Ma Lin | |
|---|---|
| Water Margin character | |
| First appearance | Chapter 41 |
| Nickname | "Iron Flute Deity" 鐵笛仙 |
| Rank | 67th, Bright Star (地明星) of the 72 Earthly Fiends |
| Tiger Cub Scouting General of Liangshan | |
| Origin | Bandit leader from Mount Yellow Gate |
| Ancestral home / Place of origin | Jiankang Prefecture (present-day Nanjing, Jiangsu) |
| Weapon | Pair of sabres |
| Names | |
| Simplified Chinese | 马麟 |
| Traditional Chinese | 馬麟 |
| Pinyin | Mǎ Lín |
| Wade–Giles | Ma Lin |
Background
A native of Jiankang Prefecture (present-day Nanjing, Jiangsu), Ma Lin is skilled in martial arts and could fight dozens of men with a pair of bronze sabres. He is also known for his talent in playing the dizi (Chinese flute), which earns him the nickname "Iron Flute Deity". When he first appears in the book, he is already the third-ranking chief in the bandit group at Mount Yellow Gate (黃門山), under Ou Peng and Jiang Jing but above Tao Zongwang.
Joining Liangshan
When Song Jiang is following the outlaws of Liangshan Marsh back to their stronghold after they and some heroes of the Jieyang region rescued him at Jiangzhou (江州; present-day Jiujiang, Jiangxi), he comes by Mount Yellow Gate with the pack. They are blocked by the four bandit chiefs who demand to know whether Song is among them. When he steps out to show himself, Song is paid homage by the four bandits, who request to join Liangshan. Song Jiang gladly agrees.
Song Jiang applauds Ma Lin's fighting skill during Liangshan's second offensive on the Zhu Family Village when he has a dazzling fight with Hu Sanniang.
Campaigns and death
Ma Lin is appointed as one of the leaders of the Liangshan cavalry after all the 108 Stars of Destiny came together in what is called the Grand Assembly. He participates in the campaigns against the Liao invaders and rebel forces in Song territory following amnesty from Emperor Huizong for Liangshan.
In the attack on Black Dragon Ridge (烏龍嶺; northeast of present-day Meicheng Town, Jiande, Zhejiang) in the campaign against Fang La, Ma Lin is knocked off his horse by the enemy general Bai Qin. Shi Bao, Bai's comrade, slices him in two before he could get on his feet.
References
- Buck, Pearl S. (2006). All Men are Brothers. Moyer Bell. ISBN 9781559213035.
- Ichisada, Miyazaki (1993). Suikoden: Kyoko no naka no Shijitsu (in Japanese). Chuo Koronsha. ISBN 978-4122020559.
- Keffer, David. "Outlaws of the Marsh: A Somewhat Less Than Critical Commentary". Poison Pie Publishing House. Retrieved 19 December 2016.
- Li, Mengxia (1992). 108 Heroes from the Water Margin (in Chinese). EPB Publishers. p. 135. ISBN 9971-0-0252-3.
- Miyamoto, Yoko (2011). "Water Margin: Chinese Robin Hood and His Bandits". Demystifying Confucianism. Retrieved 19 December 2016.
- Shibusawa, Kou (1989), Bandit Kings of Ancient China, Koei, p. 98
- Zhang, Lin Ching (2009). Biographies of Characters in Water Margin. Writers Publishing House. ISBN 978-7506344784.