Who are the nine dragons in the Water Margin? What does the tattoo of nine dragons mean?

The nine dragons in the Water Margin are historical progress.

Personal data:

Shi Jin, 108 will appear for the first time in the novel Water Margin, the son of Shi Gucun, the 23rd hero of Liangshan, and the 7th pioneer of Ma Jun's Eight Tigers Riding. Shi Jin is an apprentice of Wang Jin, the coach of the 800,000 imperial army in Tokyo. Because he has nine dragons tattooed on his body, he is called "Nine Dragons". After gathering with Zhu Wu, Chen Da and Yang Chun for Shaohua Mountain, Shi Jin was imprisoned for attempting to stab the satrap of Huazhou. After 58 times, "Wu Yong earned gold and fell, and Song Jiang made Xiyue Huashan" was rescued, and Shaohua Mountain went to Liangshan. When Liangshan captured Fang La, the "Kowloon" Shi Jin was shot dead in front of Yuling Pass.

Historically, tattoos were usually marked as representing certain identities and gangs. But as a folk custom, it mainly has the following functions: first, it shows courage; Second, as a spiritual sustenance, begging for some protection, so as to enhance their will and strength; Third, a fashion pursuit, for beauty, has no purpose.

The purpose of Shi Jin's "stabbing the dragon" may have these three functions. The "dragon" he stabbed on "shoulders, arms and chest" has far-reaching significance. The dragon is actually the "totem" of China people, so China people claim to be the descendants of the dragon, and the dragon is naturally a household name in China.