Mahjong Tile Symbols: Meanings & Types
Want to understand mahjong tiles? Here's what you need to know in 30 seconds:
A standard mahjong set contains 136-152 tiles divided into:
| Tile Type | Count | What They Show |
|---|---|---|
| Dots | 36 | Circles like Chinese coins |
| Bamboo | 36 | Sticks (bird on #1) |
| Characters | 36 | Chinese numbers with 萬 symbol |
| Dragons | 12 | Red (中), Green (發), White (blank) |
| Winds | 16 | East, South, West, North |
| Bonus | 8-16 | Flowers, Seasons, Jokers (optional) |
Quick Facts:
- Each suit (Dots, Bamboo, Characters) has numbers 1-9
- You get 4 copies of each numbered tile
- Honor tiles (Dragons + Winds) are used for special hands
- Bonus tiles give extra points or act as wild cards
Different versions use different tile counts:
- Chinese: 144 tiles
- American: 152 tiles (includes jokers)
- Japanese: 136 tiles (no bonus tiles)
Want to check your set? Group tiles by type and make sure you have 4 of each. Keep tiles clean with a soft cloth and store them away from sunlight.
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Main Suit Tiles
A Mahjong set comes with three main suits, each containing 36 tiles. Here's what you need to know:
Dot Tiles
These tiles show circles that look like old Chinese coins. Each tile has 1-9 dots arranged in specific patterns.
| Number | What You'll See | Extra Info |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Dot | One circle in middle | Often includes a flower pattern |
| 2-9 Dots | Multiple circles | Each has its own layout |
Bamboo Tiles
Bamboo tiles (or Bams) show sticks that represent strings of ancient Chinese coins.
| Number | What's on It | Quick Facts |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Bamboo | Bird sitting on bamboo | You'll see a peacock or sparrow |
| 2-9 Bamboo | Bamboo sticks | Comes in plain or barbed styles |
Character Tiles
Character tiles (called Craks) combine Chinese numbers with the symbol "萬" (wàn).
| Part | What It Shows |
|---|---|
| Upper Part | Number (1-9) |
| Lower Part | "萬" (means 10,000) |
Here's what makes these tiles special:
- You get 4 copies of each number (1-9) in every suit
- That adds up to 108 suit tiles total
- The numbers work the same way across all suits
Want to tell them apart quickly?
| Suit | Easy Way to Identify |
|---|---|
| Dots | Look for round, coin-like shapes |
| Bamboo | Green sticks (and a bird on #1) |
| Characters | Chinese writing |
Honor Tiles
Mahjong's honor tiles come in two types: Dragons and Winds. Let's break down what makes each one special.
Dragon Tiles
There are three types of dragons, and you get four of each in a set:
| Dragon Type | Symbol | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| Red Dragon | 中 (zhōng) | Center/Success in imperial exams |
| Green Dragon | 發 (fā) | Wealth |
| White Dragon | Blank tile | Pure/Uncorrupted |
That's 12 dragon tiles total in your set.
Wind Tiles
The four winds each have their own Chinese character:
| Wind | Character | How to Say It |
|---|---|---|
| East | 東 | dōng |
| South | 南 | nán |
| West | 西 | xī |
| North | 北 | běi |
You get four of each wind tile - that's 16 wind tiles in total.
Here's a simple count of all honor tiles:
| Type | Number of Sets | Tiles in Each Set | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dragons | 3 | 4 | 12 |
| Winds | 4 | 4 | 16 |
Playing Smart With Honor Tiles:
Hold onto pairs of honor tiles at the start - they might help later. Pay attention to the round wind (it's usually east in short games). In longer games, south becomes the round wind in the second half.
Most players toss honor tiles early unless they're part of their strategy. Only keep them if they fit what you're trying to build.
Special Tiles
Let's break down the extra tiles that make mahjong more interesting.
Flower Tiles
Every mahjong set comes with 12 special tiles: 8 flower tiles and 4 season tiles.
| Type | Number | Design Elements | Color Coding |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flowers | 4 | Plum, Orchid, Chrysanthemum, Bamboo | Blue characters |
| Seasons | 4 | Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter | Red characters |
Here's how to use them:
- Show any flower tiles you get in your starting hand
- Get new tiles to replace each flower you show
- If you draw a flower during play, show it and grab another tile
But watch out - the rules aren't the same in every version:
Chinese mahjong keeps it simple: flowers just give you bonus points. American mahjong lets you get fancy - you can use flowers to make pairs or triplets.
Jewish-Themed Tiles
The Menschie Mahjong set puts a Jewish spin on the classic game:
| Tile Type | Jewish Symbol |
|---|---|
| 1 Bam | Dove with olive branch |
| Winds | Dreidels |
| 1 Dot | Hamsa |
| Jokers | Bubbie with matzo ball soup |
| Characters | Cracked matzo design |
| Dots | Evil eye patterns |
"Throughout the design process, it was critical to me that I honor the Chinese roots of the game while also pulling in symbols of Judaism for each suit in the set." - Vivien Judson, Creator of The Menschie Mahjong Set
The set has 160 tiles:
- 36 each of dots, bams, and characters
- 16 winds
- 12 dragons
- 8 flowers
- 10 jokers
- 6 blanks
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Symbol Guide
Color Meanings
Here's what different mahjong tile colors mean:
| Color | Meaning | Common Uses |
|---|---|---|
| Red | Luck | Dragon tiles, numbers |
| Green | Balance | Dragon tiles, bamboo |
| White | Purity | Dragon tiles, base |
| Blue | Status | Wind tiles, numbers |
Common Patterns
Let's break down how to spot different tiles fast:
| Tile Type | What to Look For | Numbers |
|---|---|---|
| Dots | Big circle (1), smaller circles (2-9) | Gets smaller as count goes up |
| Bamboo | Bird for 1, bamboo sticks for 2-9 | Matches stick count |
| Characters | Chinese 萬 symbol | Blue numbers, red symbol |
| Dragons | 中 (red), 發 (green), 白 (white) | No numbers |
| Winds | 東南西北 (compass points) | Direction marks |
The Menschie Mahjong set puts a Jewish spin on things:
| Old Style | New Jewish Style |
|---|---|
| Circles | Evil eye patterns |
| Characters | Cracked matzo look |
| Dragons | Modern takes |
"If you don't standardize the rolling kitty, you'll be caught with your pants down!" - NMJL founding meeting speaker, 1937
When the National Mah Jongg League stepped in (1937), they made sure everyone used the same patterns. By 1941, they had 35,000+ players - proof that clear patterns help spread the game.
Quick Pattern Tips:
- The bird = 1 Bamboo tile
- Count the dots and sticks
- Dragons = bright colors
- Check Flower tiles for seasons
Tile Care Guide
Here's what you need to know about keeping your mahjong tiles in top shape:
Checking Tiles
Look for these common problems with your tiles:
| Issue | What to Look For | Action Needed |
|---|---|---|
| Cracks | Small lines or splits | Replace tile immediately |
| Chips | Missing corners or edges | Use stickers on blank tiles |
| Fading | Color loss on symbols | Avoid direct sunlight |
| Warping | Uneven surfaces | Check storage conditions |
| Paint Loss | Missing symbols or numbers | Contact repair service |
Need help with damaged tiles? These pros can fix them:
| Service | Speciality | Website |
|---|---|---|
| Dee Gallo | Custom carving & repainting | redcoinmahjong.com |
| 13 Orphans | Replacement tiles & stickers | 13orphans.com |
| Mahjong Tiles | Single tile replacements | mahjongtiles.com |
Tile Care Tips
Here's how to keep your tiles clean and protected:
| Task | Method | Don'ts |
|---|---|---|
| Cleaning | Soft, damp cloth wipe | No harsh chemicals |
| Quick Clean | Baby wipes for light dirt | Avoid soaking tiles |
| Storage | Use archival paper wrap | No plastic bags |
| Drying | Towel dry immediately | Never air dry |
| Handling | Clean hands only | No food or drinks nearby |
For deeper cleaning, try these methods:
| Method | Steps | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Clean | Warm soapy water + rinse | 5-10 minutes |
| Overnight Soak | Soapy water bath | 8-12 hours |
| Eraser Method | White vinyl eraser | As needed |
"It's better to unwrap any plastic from your sets, plastic or bone, asap." - Tom Sloper, Author of "The Red Dragon & The West Wind"
To store your tiles:
- Put them in a dedicated case
- Keep them in a dry spot
- Shield them from sunlight
- Take off plastic wrapping
- Use acid-free materials
For stubborn dirt, here's what tile expert Kay Bishop does:
"I used a white vinyl eraser (well, actually, several erasers - my set was very dirty). This is how conservators clean antique ivory."
Quality Check
Here's what you need to know about checking mahjong tile quality:
Signs of Good Quality
| Material Type | What to Look For | How to Test |
|---|---|---|
| Bone & Bamboo | Haversian system patterns, straight grain | Use 10x hand lens |
| Bakelite | Sharp edges, yellow-orange color | Check corners |
| Melamine | Smooth surface, uniform color | Check for brittleness |
| Acrylic | Lightweight feel, bright colors | Check weight distribution |
Here's a pro tip from mahjong expert Tom Sloper:
"If you see a straight grain and/or pores on any of the tiles in a set, they are BONE."
Checking Your Set
Let's break down tile counts by game type:
| Game Style | Total Tiles | Set Breakdown |
|---|---|---|
| Chinese | 144 | 136 suit tiles + 4 Flowers + 4 Seasons |
| American | 152 | 136 suit tiles + 8 Flowers/Seasons + 8 Jokers |
| Japanese | 136 | Basic tiles only (no Flowers/Seasons) |
Here's what to check on your tiles:
- Are they all the same size? Chinese tiles should be 37-38mm tall
- Do the back patterns match perfectly?
- Does each tile feel the same weight?
- Look for cracks, chips, or paint issues
- Check that symbols are crisp and clear
For Japanese sets, size matters:
| Size Range | Quality Level | Best Use |
|---|---|---|
| 25-26mm | Entry level | Practice |
| 27-28mm | Tournament | Competition |
| 30mm+ | Premium | Collection |
A few quick material facts:
- Japanese melamine tiles last longer
- Real bone-and-bamboo tiles show natural grain
- Plastic tiles should have even color
- High-end sets use materials like walnut or jade
Wrap-Up
Here's what makes up a mahjong set:
| Tile Category | What's Included | Number of Tiles |
|---|---|---|
| Main Suits | Dots, Bamboo, Characters | 36 each (108 total) |
| Honor Tiles | Dragons (Red, Green, White) + Winds | 28 total |
| Special Tiles | Flowers + Seasons | 8 total |
The suits tell different stories:
- Dots show old Chinese coins
- Bamboo tiles display bamboo (except the #1, which shows a bird)
- Characters use Chinese numbers from 1-9
Each dragon tile means something specific:
- Red Dragon (中): Success in imperial tests
- Green Dragon (發): Money and good fortune
- White Dragon (白): Clean and pure
Different places play with different rules:
| Game Version | Tiles Used | What Makes It Different |
|---|---|---|
| Chinese Classic | 144 | Sticks to old-school tiles |
| American NMJL | 152 | Adds 8 joker tiles |
| Japanese Modern | 136 | Skips flower and season tiles |
"Mah jongg becomes a powerful marker — some Jewish women called it 'our game,' though it was drawing from a shared American past and it was a Chinese game, that was (like Jews) different, other, not Protestant." - Annelise Heinz, University of Oregon history professor
Some quick facts about mahjong:
- The National Mah Jongg League kicked off in 1937
- By 1941, they had over 35,000 players
- Each type of tile plays its own part in the game
- New sets often use plastic instead of old materials
Before you play, count your tiles - you need the right number for your game style.
FAQs
What do the symbols in mahjong mean?
Mahjong tiles feature two main types of special symbols: seasons and plants. Each symbol has its own meaning in Chinese culture.
Here's what each tile represents:
| Tile Type | Symbol | Chinese Name | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | Winter | 冬天 (dōngtiān) | Cold season |
| Season 2 | Spring | 春天 (chūntiān) | Growth season |
| Season 3 | Summer | 夏天 (xiàtiān) | Warm season |
| Season 4 | Fall | 秋天 (qiūtiān) | Harvest season |
| Plant 1 | Bamboo | 竹 (zhú) | Strength |
| Plant 2 | Chrysanthemum | 菊花 (júhuā) | Nobility |
| Plant 3 | Orchid | 蘭花 (lánhuā) | Grace |
| Plant 4 | Plum | 梅 (méi) | Perseverance |
The flower tiles come in two sets:
- Seasons (Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall)
- Plants (Bamboo, Chrysanthemum, Orchid, Plum)
These tiles act as bonus pieces in most mahjong games. You can use them as wild cards or to boost your score - it all depends on which rules you're playing by.
But here's the thing: not every mahjong game uses flower tiles the same way. Some games don't use them at all, while in others they're KEY to winning. Make sure you know the rules before you start playing!