7 articles · read in order

The Tiles

Every mahjong tile explained — the three suits, winds, dragons, flowers, seasons and jokers, what the Chinese characters mean, and how sets were made through history.

1The Tiles

The Mahjong Tile Set: 136, 144 or 152 Tiles?

A standard Chinese set has 144 tiles, Japanese mahjong uses 136, and American sets have 152. Here is what makes up each set and why the numbers differ.

3 min read

2The Tiles

The Three Suits: Dots, Bamboo and Characters

The three numbered suits make up most of a mahjong set. Learn how to read dots, bamboo and characters, where their designs come from, and the many English nicknames they go by.

3 min read

3The Tiles

Honour Tiles: The Four Winds and Three Dragons

Winds and dragons are the honour tiles. They cannot form runs, they often carry bonus value, and they appear in many of the game's most famous hands. Here is how to read and use them.

3 min read

4The Tiles

Flowers and Seasons: The Bonus Tiles

The eight flower and season tiles are not part of your hand. They are set aside when drawn and can add points, especially when they match your seat. Here is how bonus tiles work in each style.

3 min read

5The Tiles

Jokers in American Mah Jongg

The eight jokers are what make American Mah Jongg distinctive. They substitute for any tile in a group of three or more identical tiles, but never in a pair or a single — and they can be won back from other players.

3 min read

6The Tiles

Why the One of Bamboo Is a Bird

The tile that should show a single bamboo stick almost always shows a bird instead. The sparrow, peacock or phoenix on the one-bamboo is one of mahjong's best-loved mysteries.

3 min read

7The Tiles

Tile Materials: Bone, Bamboo, Bakelite and Acrylic

Mahjong tiles have been made from bone and bamboo, ivory, celluloid, Bakelite, melamine and acrylic. The material tells you a set's age and origin, and affects how it feels and sounds.

3 min read