Mahjong: Explanation of Mahjong Tiles

These tiles feature one to nine round shapes on each tile (similar to the face of one die). The round shape represents a 筒 (tóng), a coin with a square hole in the middle. There are four sets (each set has nine tiles). Total stones in each game set are 36.

These tiles have the character 萬 (wàn), which means ’10,000’ plus the Chinese character for the numbers one through nine. It is necessary to learn to read the numbers one through nine in Chinese in order to be able to put the tiles in numerical order. There are four sets (each set has nine tiles). Total characters in each game set are 36.

These tiles have bamboo sticks which represent the strings (索, sǔo) that ancient copper coins were strung on in sets of 100 (弔, diào) or 1,000 coins (貫, guàn). The tiles are numbered one through nine, but the number one tile does not have bamboo sticks. Instead, it has a bird sitting on a bamboo, so this set is sometimes also called ‘bird.’ There are four sets (each set has nine tiles). Total bamboos in each game set are 36.

This set of eight tiles featuring pictures of flowers is optional. Whether and how they are played varies by region. The flowers could be used like the Joker in card games or as a wild card to complete tile combinations. Flowers can also help players earn extra points.

The eight flower tiles include four tiles representing the four seasons: winter, spring, summer and fall:

• Winter (冬天, dōngtiān)
• Spring (春天, chūntiān)
• Summer (夏天, xiàtiān)
• Fall (秋天, qiūtiān)

The other four tiles represent the four Confucian plants: bamboo, chrysanthemum, orchid, and plum.

• Bamboo (竹, zhú)
• Chrysanthemum (菊花, júhuā)
• Orchid (蘭花, lánhuā)
• Plum (梅, méi)

There is one set of eight tiles. Total flowers in each game set are eight.

These tiles each feature the character for compass directions: East Wind, South Wind, West Wind, and North Wind. It is necessary to learn to read the directional characters in Chinese:

• East Wind (東, dōng)
• South Wind (南, nán)
• West Wind (西, xī)
• North Wind (北, běi)

There are four sets (each set has four tiles). Total winds in each game set are 16.

This threesome has several meanings which are derived from the ancient imperial exam, archery, and Confucius’ cardinal virtues. One tile features a red 中 (zhōng, center) character which represents 紅中 (hóng zhōng), passing the imperial exam, a hit in archery, and the Confucian virtue benevolence.

Another tile features a green 發 (fā, wealth) character which represents 發財 (fā cái, get rich), an archery marking that means a person will release his draw, and the Confucian virtue sincerity.

Finally, the last character features a blue 白 (bái, white) character which represents 白板 (bái ban, white board) which means freedom from corruption, a miss in archery, or the Confucian virtue filial piety.

There are four sets (each set has three tiles). Total arrows or dragons in each game set are 12.