Mahjong is a popular tile-based game that originated in China and has spread to various parts of the world (more about mahjong history here). It is a game of skill, strategy, and luck, played with a set of tiles that are decorated with symbols and characters.
Understanding mahjong tiles is crucial for anyone who wants to learn how to play the game. Each tile has its own unique symbol and meaning, which can greatly affect gameplay. By having a basic understanding of the different types of mahjong tiles and their significance, players can gain a better appreciation for the game and improve their chances of winning.
In this blog post, we will provide a basic overview of the different types of mahjong tiles and their symbolism. This information will help mainly beginners to gain a deeper understanding of the game and its cultural significance.
Overview of Mahjong Tiles: Types and Numbers in a Set
A standard mahjong set consists of 144 tiles, which are divided into three categories: honor tiles, suit tiles, and bonus tiles.
Honor tiles
There are 28 honor tiles in the set, which include the four wind tiles and three dragon tiles, with four tiles of each type.
Wind tiles represent the four directions: east, south, west, and north. These tiles are often decorated with Chinese characters that represent the direction they represent. These tiles are considered to be honor tiles and are highly valued in the game.
Tip for beginners: In the case of the wind tiles, it’s not important to remember which character corresponds to each wind; rather, it’s only necessary to recognize when the tiles are identical.
Dragon tiles represent three dragons: red, green, and white. These tiles are also considered to be honor tiles and are highly valued in the game. Each dragon tile features an illustration of a dragon, and the color of the tile corresponds to the color of the dragon.
Suit tiles
The suit tiles are divided into three categories: character tiles, bamboo tiles, and circle tiles. Each suit has 36 tiles, with four tiles of each number from one to nine.
Character tiles are numbered from one to nine and each tile features a Chinese character. The characters on each tile represent the numbers in Chinese, with the “one” character representing one and the “nine” character representing nine.
Bamboo tiles are also numbered from one to nine and are represented by bamboo stalks. Tile „number one“ of a bamboo is often decorated with illustrations of a bird. Bamboo tiles are sometimes called “stick” tiles, which can cause confusion.
Circle tiles are also numbered from one to nine and are represented by circles. Circle tiles are sometimes called “dot” tiles, which can also cause confusion.
Bonus tiles
The bonus tiles include eight flower tiles and eight season tiles, with one tile of each type. Knowing the total number of tiles and how many of each suit are in the set is crucial for understanding the game and playing it effectively.
Flower and season tiles are bonus tiles that are not used in every game of mahjong. These tiles represent various flowers and seasons, such as chrysanthemum and autumn. Flower and season tiles are used to add bonus points to a player’s score.
For the purposes of simplicity, we will be focusing on the honor and suit tiles in this blog post and ignoring the bonus tiles, which are not used in every game of mahjong.
Conclusion
Mahjong tiles are an integral part of the game, and understanding their symbolism is key to becoming a skilled player. By learning about the different types of mahjong tiles and their significance, players can gain a deeper appreciation for the game and its cultural roots. So whether you’re a beginner or an experienced player, take the time to study the tiles and improve your chances of winning!
To help you remember the different types of mahjong tiles, we have created a cheatsheet that you can download for free from our blog. This cheatsheet includes a quick reference guide for each type of tile, with illustrations and descriptions of the different symbols. If you’re a beginner just starting out looking to refresh your memory, this cheatsheet is a valuable tool that you can use to improve your gameplay of mahjong. So be sure to download it today and keep it handy the next time you play mahjong!
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