3Tiles

The 34 basic mahjong tiles are presented here. A full set of mahjong tiles contains four identical tiles of each of these.

3Tiles

The 34 basic mahjong tiles are presented here. A full set of mahjong tiles contains four identical tiles of each of these.

3.1The three suits

There are three suits; each has tiles numbered from one to nine:

Circles1pin2pin3pin4pin5pin6pin7pin8pin9pin
Bamboos1sou2sou3sou4sou5sou6sou7sou8sou9sou
Characters1man2man3man4man5man6man7man8man9man

The one of bamboo is often decorated with a bird, the design of which often varies between mahjong sets. The ones and nines are called terminal tiles.

3.1The three suits

There are three suits; each has tiles numbered from one to nine:
Circles1pin2pin3pin4pin5pin6pin7pin8pin9pin
Bamboo1sou2sou3sou4sou5sou6sou7sou8sou9sou
Characters1man2man3man4man5man6man7man8man9man

The one of bamboo is often decorated with a bird, the design of which often varies between mahjong sets. The ones and nines are called terminal tiles.

3.2The honours

In addition to the suit tiles, there are seven different honour tiles: four winds and three dragons. The winds are shown in the order: East-South-West-North. The dragons are shown in the order: Red-White-Green. The design of the White dragon varies between mahjong sets; usually it is either a blank tile or a blue frame is depicted.

Windseastsouthwestnorth
Dragonsredwhitegreen

3.2The honours

In addition to the suit tiles, there are seven different honour tiles: four winds and three dragons. The winds are shown in the order: east-south-west-north. The dragons are shown in the order: red-white-green. The design of the white dragon varies between mahjong sets; usually it is either a blank tile or a blue frame is depicted.
Windseastsouthwestnorth
Dragonsredwhitegreen

3.3Additional tiles

With four of each of the above tiles, a mahjong set consists of 136 tiles. Sometimes mahjong sets contain further tiles: flowers, seasons, red fives or joker tiles, which are not used in World Riichi Championship Rules.

3.3Additional tiles

With four of each of the above tiles, a mahjong set consists of 136 tiles. Sometimes mahjong sets contain further tiles: flowers, seasons, red fives or joker tiles, which are not used in World Riichi Rules.

3.4Additional equipment

Mahjong sets often have markers for indicating the prevailing wind and sticks used for keeping score and used also for continuance counters and riichi bets. The set should also come with at least two dice.

3.4Additional equipment

Mahjong sets often have markers for indicating the prevailing wind and sticks used for keeping score and used also for continuance counters and riichi bets. The set should also come with at least two dice.