Matsya Purana, a Vaishnavism text is one of the eighteen major Puranas. In fact, it is one of the oldest and better preserved Purana in the Puranic genre of Sanskrit literature in Hinduism. The name of this Purana is based on half-human and half-fish avatar of Lord Vishnu, Matsya. This text contains diverse range of topics and has lasted and made its way into the modern era giving an idea about its contents and characters. Given below are the Characters of Matsya Purana namely, Matsya, Vishnu, Shiva and Shakti.

Matsya
Matsya, also known as the Fish God and the first avatar of Vishnu is a significant part of Matsya Purana. The Puran contains story of Matsya. More specifically, the holy book will intimate the readers with the mythology of a great flood, when humans led by Manu, the seeds of all plants, mobile living beings and the Vedas were saved by the Matsya avatar of Vishnu. Indian mythology highlights Vaikuntha to be the abode of Matsya, chakra and mace to be His weapon and Lakshmi to be His consort.

Vishnu
Vishnu, the Supreme Being according to the Vaishnavism tradition, is one of the major deities of Hindus. Vishnu forms a Hindu Trinity or Trimurti along with Brahma and Shiva. Indian mythology highlights Lakshmi to be the consort of Vishnu and Vaikuntha to be His abode. He can be recognized in places of worship with the help of dark or pale blue complexion and four arms. A padma or lotus flower in the lower left hand, kaumodaki gada or mace in the lower right hand, panchajanya shankha or conch in the upper left hand and the sudarshana chakra or discus in the upper right hand are His various symbols.

Shiva
Shiva, the Supreme Being according to Shaivism tradition, is one of the major deities of Hindus. Shaivism holds Shiva as the one who creates, protects and transforms the universe. Within the Hindu Trinity, Shiva is the "destroyer and transformer". Indian mythology highlights Parvati, Sati, Durga and Mohini as the consorts of Shiva, Mount Kailash to be His abode, Trishula to be His weapon and Lingam to be His symbol.

Shakti
Shakti, the Supreme Being in Shaktism is the Hindu goddess responsible for creation and is considered the agent of all change. She is the primordial cosmic energy and represents the dynamic forces that are thought to move through the entire universe. She is the embodiment of active feminine energy of Shiva and is His consort.