Protagonists
- Guo Jing (郭靖 – Guō Jìng) – Protagonist known for his honesty, loyalty, and strong moral compass, despite being a slow learner
- Huang Rong (黄蓉 – Huáng Róng) – Guo Jing’s love interest and partner, renowned for her exceptional intelligence and varied skills
- Yang Kang (杨康 – Yáng Kāng) – Guo Jing’s sworn brother and eventual antagonist who is raised as a Jin prince and chooses ambition over honour
- Mu Nianci (穆念慈 – Mù Niàncí) – Skilled martial artist who struggles between her love for Yang Kang and her sense of righteousness
Guo and Yang parents
- Guo Xiaotian (郭啸天 – Guō Xiàotiān) – Guo Jing’s father and sworn brother to Yang Tiexin
- Li Ping (李萍 – Lǐ Píng) – Guo Jing’s mother who raises him among the Mongols
- Yang Tiexin (杨铁心 – Yáng Tiěxīn) – Yang Kang’s birth father and sworn brother to Guo Xiaotian
- Bao Xiruo (包惜弱 – Bāo Xīruò) – Yang Kang’s mother who remarries the Jin prince Wanyan Honglie
The Seven Eccentrics of Jiangnan
- Ke Zhen’e (柯镇恶 – Kē Zhèn’è) the Flying Bat – Blind leader of the Seven Heroes highly skilled in staff techniques and dart-throwing
- Zhu Cong (朱聪 – Zhū Cōng) the Swift-handed Scholar – The intelligent scholar-warrior known for his wit and clever strategies
- Han Baoju (韩宝驹 – Hán Bǎojū) the Divine Horse King – Short but mighty hero renowned for his supreme horsemanship and the Wind Chasing Steps technique
- Nan Xiren (南希仁 – Nán Xīrén) the Southern Woodcutter – The quiet woodcutter who wields a heavy rod and rarely speaks
- Quan Jinfa (全金发 – Quán Jīnfā) the Hidden Hero in the Busy City – The merchant whose trading business provides cover for gathering intelligence
- Han Xiaoying (韩小莹 – Hán Xiǎoyíng) the Yue Maiden Swordswoman – The only female among the Seven Heroes, specialising in sword techniques, descendant of the Yue Maiden
- Zhang Ahsheng (张阿生 – Zhāng Āshēng) the Laughing Buddha – The mighty warrior known for his great strength and hearty appetite
Mongol Empire
- Temüjin/Genghis Khan (铁木真/成吉思汗 – Tiěmùzhēn/Chéngjísī Hán) – Mongol leader who took care of young Guo Jing and later became Khan of the Mongol Empire
- Jochi (术赤 – Shūchī) – Son of Temujin, Guo Jing’s childhood friend
- Chagatai (察合台 – Cháhétài) – Son of Temujin, Guo Jing’s childhood friend
- Ögedei (窝阔台 – Wōkuòtái) – Son of Temujin, Guo Jing’s childhood friend
- Tolui (拖雷 – Tuōléi) – Son of Temujin, Guo Jing’s childhood friend and sworn brother
- Huazheng (华筝 – Huázhēng) – Daughter of Temujin, Guo Jing’s childhood friend and betrothed to Jochi
- Jebe (哲别 – Zhébié) – Mongol general who teaches young Guo Jing archery
- Muqali (木华黎 – Mùhuálí) – Genghis Khan’s follower
- Chiluan (赤老温 – Chìlǎowēn) – Genghis Khan’s follower
- Huduhu (忽都虎 – Hūdūhǔ) – Genghis Khan’s follower
- Jeime (者勒蔑 – Zhělèmèi) – Genghis Khan’s follower
- Borokhula (博尔忽 – Bóěrhū) – Genghis Khan’s follower
- Jamukha (札木合 – Zhāmùhé) – Genghis Khan’s sworn brother, ally, and later rival
- Wang Khan (王罕 – Wáng Hàn) – Former ally of Genghis Khan, and Jamukha
- Sangkun (桑昆 – Sāngkūn) – Son of Wang Khan, Guo Jing’s childhood friend
- Dushi (都史 – Dūshǐ) – Son of Wang Khan, Huazheng’s original fiancé
Quanzhen School
- Wang Chongyang (王重阳 – Wáng Chóngyáng) the Central Divine – Founder of Quanzhen School, one of the Five Greats, regarded as the most powerful martial artist in the jianghu in his time
- Zhou Botong (周伯通; Zhōu Bótōng) the Old Wild Child – Wang Chongyang’s junior and founding member of Quanzhen School, has an eccentric childish behaviour despite his age
- The Seven Zis of Quanzhen (全真七子 – Quánzhēn Qīzǐ) – Wang Chongyang’s seven disciples who lead the Quanzhen School after their master’s death
- Ma Yu (馬鈺 – Mǎ Yù) the Danyangzi (丹陽子) – Taught Guo Jing some basic Quanzhen martial arts and inner energy skills
- Tan Chuduan (譚處端 – Tán Chǔduān) the Changzhenzi (長真子)
- Liu Chuxuan (劉處玄 – Liú Chǔxuán) the Changshengzi (長生子)
- Qiu Chuji (丘處機 – Qiū Chǔjī) the Changchunzi (長春子) – befriended the Guo and Yang families and became Yang Kang’s martial arts master later
- Wang Chuyi (王處一 – Wáng Chǔyī) the Yuyangzi (玉陽子) – befriended Guo Jing after learning that Guo has learnt some Quanzhen skills from Ma Yu before. Guo helps him recover when he is injured by Lingzhi Shangren.
- Hao Datong (郝大通 – Hǎo Dàtōng) the Guangningzi (廣寧子) – also known as Guangningzi (廣寧子).
- Sun Bu’er (孫不二 – Sūn Bù’èr) the Qingjing Sanren (清靜散人) – also known as Qingjing Sanren (清靜散人).
- Yin Zhiping (尹志平 – Yǐn Zhìpíng) – Qiu Chuji’s disciple
- Cheng Yaojia (程瑤迦 – Chéng Yáojiā) – Sun Bu’er’s discple with an infatuation with Guo Jing before marrying Lu Guanying.
Peach Blossom Island
- Huang Yaoshi (黄药师 – Huáng Yàoshī) the Eastern Heretic – Eccentric master of Peach Blossom Island, one of the Five Greats, and Huang Rong’s father, whose unconventional methods often conflict with orthodox martial arts schools
- Feng Heng (冯衡 – Féng Héng) – Huang Yaoshi’s wife and Huang Rong’s mother
- Qu Lingfeng (曲灵风 – Qū Língfēng) – Huang Yaoshi’s first disciple
- Twin Killers of Dark Wind (黑风双煞 – Hēifēng Shuāngshà) – disciples who stole Huang Yaoshi’s Nine Yin Manual and learnt unorthodox skills from it
- Chen Xuanfeng (陳玄風 – Chén Xuánfēng) the Copper Corpse – Huang Yaoshi’s second disciple, husband of Mei Chaofeng
- Mei Chaofeng (梅超風 – Méi Chāofēng) the Iron Corpse – Huang Yaoshi’s third disciple, blinded by Ke Zhen’e
- Lu Chengfeng (陆乘风 – Lù Chéngfēng) – Huang Yaoshi’s fourth disciple, expert in medicines and strategic formations
- Wu Mianfeng (吴明风 – Wú Míngfēng) – Huang Yaoshi’s fifth disciple
- Feng Mofeng (冯默风 – Féng Mòfēng) – Huang Yaoshi’s sixth disciple
- Shagu (沙通天 – Shā Tōngtiān) – Qu Lingfeng’s intellectually-disabled daughter who later became under the care of Huang Yaoshi
- Lu Guanying (陆冠英 – Lù Guānyīng) – Lu Chengfeng’s son, disciple of Reverend Kumu
Beggars’ Guild
- Hong Qigong (洪七公 – Hóng Qīgōng) the Northern Beggar – Leader of the Beggars’ Guild, one of the Five Greats
- Lu Youjiao (陆游侠 – Lù Yóuxiá) – Beggars’ Guild Elder, leader of the Dirty Clothes faction
- Elder Peng (彭长老 – Péng Chánglǎo) – Beggars’ Guild Elder, leader of the Clean Clothes faction
- Elder Jian (简长老 – Jiǎn Chánglǎo) – Beggars’ Guild Elder, leader of the Clean Clothes faction
- Elder Liang (梁长老 – Liáng Chánglǎo) – Beggars’ Guild Elder, leader of the Clean Clothes faction
- Li Sheng (李圣 – Lǐ Shèng) – member of the Dirty Clothes faction
- Yu Zhaoxing (于赵星 – Yú Zhàoxīng) – member of the Dirty Clothes faction
Ouyang Family
- Ouyang Feng (欧阳锋 – Ōuyáng Fēng) the Western Venom – Master of White Camel Mountain Manor in the Western Regions, one of the Five Greats, expert in using poisons
- Ouyang Ke (欧阳克 – Ōuyáng Kè) – Ouyang Feng’s nephew and illegitimate son, a lecherous fiend
House of Wanyan Honglie
- Wanyan Honglie (完颜洪烈 – Wányán Hóngliè) – sixth prince of the Jin Empire who married Bao Xiruo and raised Yang Kang as his own
- Wanyan Hongxiu (完颜洪熙 – Wányán Hóngxī) – Wanyan Honglie’s brother
- Sha Tongtian (沙通天 – Shā Tōngtiān) the Dragon King of Devil’s Gate – Wanyan Honglie’s follower
- The Four Devils of the Yellow River – Sha Tongtian’s disciples
- Shen Qinggang (沈青刚 – Shěn Qīnggāng) the Soul-severing Sabre
- Wu Qinglie (乌青烈 – Wūqīngliè) the Life-chasing Spear
- Ma Qingxiong (马青雄 – Mǎ Qīngxióng) the Soul-devouring Whip
- Qian Qingjian (钱青健 – Qián Qīngjiàn) the Death-bringing Axe
- Hou Tonghai (侯通海 – Hòu Tōnghǎi) the Three-headed Dragon – Wanyan Honglie’s follower, Sha Tongtian’s junior
- Liang Ziweng (梁子翁 – Liáng Zǐwēng) the Ginseng Old Eccentric – Wanyan Honglie’s follower, an eccentric martial artist from the Changbai Mountains
- Lingzhi Shangren (凌知馬 – Líng Zhīmǎ) the Demon of the Yellow Springs – Wanyan Honglie’s follower, a Tibetan monk
- Peng Lianhu (彭连虎 – Péng Liánhǔ) the Butcher of a Thousand Hands – Wanyan Honglie’s follower, a notorious mass murderer
Dali Kingdom
- Reverend Yideng (一灯大师 – Yīdēng Dàshī) the Southern Emperor – former ruler of the Dali Kingdom who abdicated to become a monk, one of the Five Greats
- Liu Ying (刘瑛 – Liú Yīng) the Divine Mathematician, also known as Yinggu – Reverend Yideng’s concubine
- Chu Dongshan (褚东山 – Chǔ Dōngshān) the Reclusive Fisherman of Diancang – Reverend Yideng’s follower, former admiral of Dali, disguised as a fisherman
- Zhang Shaoshou (张少山 – Zhāng Shàoshān) – Reverend Yideng’s follower, former general of Dali, disguised as a woodcutter
- Wu Santong (吴三通 – Wú Sāntōng) the Old Fisherman of the Yellow Springs – Reverend Yideng’s follower, former chief of the palace guard of Dali, disguised as a farmer
- Zhu Ziliu (朱子柳 – Zhū Zǐliǔ) the Old Fisherman of the Yellow Springs – Reverend Yideng’s follower, former premier of Dali, disguised as a scholar
- Indian monk – Reverend Yideng’s junior, expert in medicine and healing
- Old Yang – Reverend Yideng’s follower, former eunuch of Dali
Iron Palm Guild
- Qiu Qianren (裘千仞 – Qiu Qianren) – leader of the Iron Palm Guild, disciple of Shangguan Jiannan, subordinate of the Song general Han Shizhong, later becomes Reverend Yideng’s disciple
- Qiu Qianzhang (裘千丈 – Qiu Qianzhang) – Qiu Qianren’s twin brother, inferior in martial arts prowess and moral character, relies on impersonating his brother to con and deceive others for a living
- Yashaogong (哑艄公 – Yashaogong) – member of the Iron Palm Guild
- Chief Qiao (乔寨主 – Qiao Zhaizhu) – stronghold chief of the Iron Palm Guild
- Chief He (贺寨主 – He Zhaizhu) – stronghold chief of the Iron Palm Guild
- Chief Shi (石寨主 – Shi Zhaizhu) – stronghold chief of the Iron Palm Guild
Song Empire
- Huang Chang (黄裳 – Huáng Cháng) – book transcriber in Northern Song dynasty who created the Nine Yin Manual
- Duan Tiande (段天德 – Duàn Tiāndé) – Song military officer who led his men to kill Guo Xiaotian and Yang Tiexin, under Wanyan Honglie’s orders
- Li Quan (李全 – Lǐ Quán) – rebel leader appointed by Song Empire to command Qingzhou
- Yang Miaozhen (杨妙真 – Yáng Miàozhēn) – wife of Li Quan, known for her Peach Blossom Spear
- Lü Wende (吕文德 – Lǚ Wéndé) – commander of Xiangyang’s military forces
- Shi Yanming (石彦明 – Shí Yànmíng) – high-ranking Song palace guard
- Wang Daoqian (王道乾 – Wáng Dàoqián) – official in the Ministry of War
- Jiang Wen (姜文 – Jiāng Wén) – magistrate of Xiushui County
- Shi Miyuan (史弥远 – Shǐ Míyuǎn)
- Ge Yuncong (盖运聪 – Gě Yùncōng) – prefect of Jiaxing
- Han Tuozhou (韩侂胄 – Hán Tuōzhòu)
- Tang Zude (汤祖德 – Tāng Zǔdé)
Xianxia School
- Reverend Kumu (枯木大师 – Kōngmù Dàshī) – Aabbot of Yunqi Monastery, member of Xianxia School, Duan Tiande’s uncle
- Reverend Jiamomu (焦木摩大师 – Jiāmómó Dàshī) – member of Yunqi Monastery and Xianxia School
Miscellaneous
- Ala ad-Din Muhammad II (阿拉烏丁·摩訶末 – Ālāwūdīn Móhāmūd II) – ruler of the Khwarezm Empire