A Complete List of Mahjong Tile Names in English

Mahjong, a game of skill, strategy, and luck, is played with a set of intricately designed tiles. Originating from China, the game has various regional variations, but the core components remain the same. Each tile in Mahjong has its unique name and significance, which can be categorized broadly into several groups. This article provides a comprehensive list of Mahjong tile names in English, helping both beginners and seasoned players to better understand the game.

Key Takeaways

• Mahjong is traditionally played with 136 tiles, but some sets may contain more tiles, especially those from the United States or Southeast Asia.
• The tiles are divided into three suits: Craks (Characters), Dots, and Bams (Bamboos), each numbered from 1 to 9.
• In addition to the suited tiles, there are Honor tiles which include four Winds (East, South, West, North) and three Dragons (Red, Green, White).
• Special tiles such as Flowers, Seasons, Jokers, and Blank tiles may also be included in some Mahjong sets.
• The 1s and 9s of each suit are known as Terminals and have a special significance in the game.

1. Craks

Craks, also known as Characters in England, are a unique suit in Mahjong. They are called Craks because they often had no Western indices—only Chinese numbers and the Chinese character for 10,000. This character can be seen in several different ways.

Characteristics

• Craks tiles are denoted with the numbers 1 to 9.
• The character on the top of each tile shows the numeral.
• The character below is the Chinese symbol wàn (10,000).

Special Hands

If activated before a match, the seat will start as east and the first hand will have 1112345678999 in the Craks suit—a ready hand for Pure Nine Gates, one of the very valuable Yakuman (limit hands). Keep those thirteen tiles and keep discarding the other one until a win can be declared off any Craks tile.

Winning by Tsumo on your first turn will result in a triple Yakuman worth 144,000 pts.

Example Play

A recommended example play is to keep the complete sequence and pair in the Craks suit and the efficient 67 shape in Bams. This is done by discarding the wind and dragon first, then the lone 9 Dots and 2 Bams.

2. Dots

The Dots suit in Mahjong is characterized by its round shapes, which are based on a Chinese coin that had a hole in its center. Dots are also known as Circles in England. Each tile in this suit features a number of circles, which can vary in color and arrangement.

1 Dot

The 1 Dot tile is generally a large circle of multiple colors.

2 Dots

The 2 Dots tile consists of a green and a blue circle.

3 Dots

The 3 Dots tile features one green, one red, and one blue circle arranged diagonally.

4 Dots

The 4 Dots tile has four circles, often arranged in a square pattern.

5 Dots

The 5 Dots tile is similar to the 4 Dots but includes an additional circle in the middle.

6 Dots

The 6 Dots tile consists of two green circles at the top and four red circles at the bottom, with a space between the green and red circles.

7 Dots

The 7 Dots tile has a unique arrangement, often featuring circles of different colors.

8 Dots

The 8 Dots tile usually has eight circles arranged in a pattern.

9 Dots

The 9 Dots tile features nine circles, often arranged in three rows of three.

You can see by the tiles above how varied Dots can be, and how at times they shift from one type of center to another.

3. Bams

Bams, also known as Bamboos or Sticks, are one of the three main suits in Mahjong. They are represented by outlines of sticks. The 1 Bamboo is unique as it is commonly represented by a bird. The other Bams tiles are represented by sticks in various configurations.

Types of Bams

• 2, 3, 4, 6, and 8 Bamboo: These tiles are represented entirely out of green sticks or a combination of blue and green sticks.
• 5 Bamboo: The middle stick in this tile is red.
• 7 Bamboo: The top stick is red, and some sets may also have the sticks along the bottom row or center column in blue.
• 9 Bamboo: The sticks along the center column are red, and the 8 Bamboo has its sticks forming an M-shape and its mirror image.

Note: There are no Arabic numbers on the Bams tiles, which can sometimes make them challenging to identify for beginners.

4. Winds

East

The East Wind tile is marked with the Chinese character 東 (dōng). It is one of the four Wind tiles in Mahjong.

South

The South Wind tile is marked with the Chinese character 南 (nán). This tile is part of the Wind suit.

West

The West Wind tile is marked with the Chinese character 西 (xī). It is one of the four Wind tiles used in the game.

North

The North Wind tile is marked with the Chinese character 北 (běi). This tile completes the set of Wind tiles.

Each Wind tile is essential for completing certain hands in Mahjong.

The Wind tiles are inscribed with the Chinese characters for the four compass directions. There are four tiles of each wind in the game, making a total of 16 Wind tiles.

5. Dragons

The Dragons in Mahjong are a unique set of tiles that hold significant meaning. There are three types of Dragons:

Red Dragon

The Red Dragon (chun) symbolizes the middle or animal order, including humans. There are four tiles of the Red Dragon in the game.

Green Dragon

The Green Dragon (fa) represents the lower or plant order of life. Similar to the Red Dragon, there are four Green Dragon tiles in the game.

White Dragon

The White Dragon (pai pan) symbolizes the higher or spiritual order of beings. This tile is also known as the white tile. There are four White Dragon tiles in the game.

Collecting all three tile groups of the Dragons is known as daisangen in Japanese Mahjong, which is a standard yakuman.

6. Terminals

Terminals are the tiles numbered one and nine only of each of the three suits. These tiles are essential in various special hands and combinations in Mahjong.

Craks Terminals

The Craks suit includes the terminal tiles numbered one and nine. These tiles are often used in forming high-value hands.

Dots Terminals

In the Dots suit, the terminal tiles are also numbered one and nine. These tiles can be crucial for completing certain yaku.

Bams Terminals

The Bams suit features terminal tiles numbered one and nine. These tiles are vital for many strategic plays.

Terminals are unique because they are the only tiles that can form certain special hands, making them highly sought after in gameplay.

7. Flowers

The flower suit is an optional suit in Mahjong. Flowers can also help players earn extra points. This set of eight tiles features pictures of flowers plus a number ranging from one to four. How the flower suit is played varies by region. The flowers could be used like the Joker in card games or as a wild card to complete tile combinations.

Types of Flowers

• Plum – East
• Orchid – South
• Chrysanthemum – West
• Bamboo – North

There are typically eight Flowers, but they can number from four to 24 (in the early 1950s), but most typically there are eight.

Flower Tile Characteristics

Flowers often have Arabic numbers on them, going from 1 to 4, with Chinese words in red on one set, and green on another. It's the color of the Chinese words that can help you as you organize your tiles.

8. Jokers

Joker tiles (百搭牌, pinyin bǎidāpái) can be used to replace any suited or honor tile in putting together a hand subject to local restrictions. American mahjong uses eight jokers.

9. Blank Tiles

What are Blank Tiles?

Blank tiles in Mahjong are unique as they do not have any markings or symbols on them. These tiles are often used as wild cards or substitutes for other tiles in various Mahjong variants.

Usage of Blank Tiles

• Wild Cards: Blank tiles can represent any tile in the game, making them highly versatile.
• Substitutes: They can be used to replace missing tiles in a set.

Variants with Blank Tiles

Not all Mahjong variants include blank tiles. Here are some that do:

1. American Mahjong
2. Chinese Classical Mahjong
3. Hong Kong Mahjong

Blank tiles add an element of surprise and strategy, as players can use them to complete difficult hands or sets.

10. Seasons

The season tiles in Mahjong are unique and represent the four seasons: Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter. Each season is associated with a specific wind direction:

• Spring – East
• Summer – South
• Autumn – West
• Winter – North

Spring

The Spring tile (Chinese: 春; pinyin: chūn) often features various spring flowers, such as peonies or multiple blooming flowers.

Summer

The Summer tile (Chinese: 夏; pinyin: xià) is commonly depicted with lotus flowers.

Autumn

The Autumn tile (Chinese: 秋; pinyin: qiū) typically showcases autumn fruits.

Winter

The Winter tile (Chinese: 冬; pinyin: dōng) is usually represented with daffodils.

There is only one tile for each season, but all four season tiles match with each other.

Conclusion

Understanding the names and meanings of Mahjong tiles is essential for anyone looking to master the game or simply appreciate its rich cultural heritage. This comprehensive guide has covered all the different types of tiles, from the basic suits of Craks, Dots, and Bams to the Honor tiles of Winds and Dragons, as well as the additional tiles found in various regional sets. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced player, knowing the intricacies of each tile can enhance your gameplay and deepen your connection to this timeless game. We hope this article has provided you with valuable insights and a thorough understanding of Mahjong tiles in English.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main categories of Mahjong tiles?

The main categories of Mahjong tiles include Craks (or Characters), Dots, Bams (or Bamboos), Winds, Dragons, Terminals, Flowers, Jokers, Blank Tiles, and Seasons.

How many tiles are there in a standard Mahjong set?

A standard Mahjong set usually contains 136 tiles, but it can vary. Some sets, especially those from the United States or Southeast Asia, may have up to 144 tiles or more due to the inclusion of Flowers or Jokers.

What are Craks in Mahjong?

Craks, also known as Characters, are one of the three suits in Mahjong. They are numbered from 1 to 9.

What are the Honor tiles in Mahjong?

Honor tiles in Mahjong include the Winds (East, South, West, North) and the Dragons (Red, Green, White).

What are Terminal tiles in Mahjong?

Terminal tiles are the 1s and 9s of each suit (Craks, Dots, Bams).

Are there any special tiles in Mahjong?

Yes, special tiles in Mahjong can include Flowers, Jokers, Blank Tiles, and Seasons. These tiles may vary depending on the regional set being used.