Tile guide
Mahjong Tile Meanings
Mahjong sets contain several tile families. This game uses familiar Mahjong tile faces with English names to make the symbols easier for beginners to recognize.
Mahjong developed in China during the 19th century and later spread internationally. Tile sets commonly include Characters, Bamboo, Dots, Winds, Dragons, and bonus Flowers or Seasons. Mahjong Solitaire uses these designs in a single-player matching puzzle, not the four-player game of traditional Mahjong.
Bamboo Tiles 索子 / Bamboo
Bamboo tiles are one of the numbered suits. In the game, Bamboo tiles match only the same Bamboo tile face.
Dot Tiles 筒子 / Dots
Dot tiles are another numbered suit. Dot tiles match only the same Dot tile face.
Character Tiles 万子 / Characters
Character tiles, also called 万子 (wànzǐ), are marked with Chinese numerals and 万 or 萬, meaning ten thousand. Each tile matches the same face.
Dragon Tiles 三元牌 / Dragons
Dragon tiles are honor tiles. This board includes Red Dragon, Green Dragon, and White Dragon tile faces.
Wind Tiles 風牌 / Winds
Wind tiles are honor tiles for East, South, West, and North. Each wind tile matches only the same wind.
Flower and Season Tiles 花牌 / Bonus tiles
Flower and season tiles are bonus tiles in Mahjong sets. Here, each flower or season tile matches only the same face.
Further Reading
For historical context, see the British Museum's overview of Mahjong, the British Museum Mahjong set record, and the Mahjong Oral History Collection from the Strong National Museum of Play.