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A character in Water Margin

Who is Wu Song?

By the Library of Alexandria · 2 minute read · Updated 23 Oct 2026

In short

  • Wu Song is a celebrated fighter in Water Margin, the Chinese adventure novel traditionally attributed to Shi Nai'an.
  • He is known for killing a tiger, an act that displays his extraordinary physical courage.
  • His story also follows fierce personal revenge, placing bravery beside brutal conflict.

Who Wu Song is

Wu Song belongs to a world where violence, injustice, and corrupt officials drive people outside the law. His fame rests on extraordinary physical courage, most clearly shown when he kills a tiger. That feat marks him as a formidable fighter, but his story also carries him into brutal personal conflict.

What Wu Song wants

Wu Song pursues fierce personal revenge, giving his story a concern beyond the display of physical strength. His courage sits alongside the novel's broader unease about violence and the conduct of its heroes. Water Margin makes room for admiration without treating its outlaws as spotless models of honor.

Questions

Who is Wu Song in Water Margin?

Wu Song is a celebrated fighter whose story combines extraordinary courage with fierce personal revenge.

What is Wu Song famous for?

He is famous for killing a tiger, a feat associated with his remarkable physical courage.

Is Wu Song a spotless hero?

No, his story involves brutal personal conflict as well as bravery. He belongs to a novel that invites both admiration and unease about its heroes.

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