You can read a whole set by learning a small group of characters. Here they are.
Applies to: All styles
The Chinese characters on mahjong tiles are simpler than they look. The character suit uses the numbers one to nine above a red character, 萬, which means ten thousand. The four winds are 東, 南, 西, and 北. The Red Dragon shows 中, and the Green Dragon shows 發. Flowers and seasons also show their names. Once you know about two dozen characters, you can read almost any standard set.
Numbers on the Crak tiles
Character
Meaning
一
one
二
two
三
three
四
four
五
five
六
six
七
seven
八
eight
九
nine
萬
ten thousand
One, five, and nine of Craks. The red character below is the same on all of them.
Winds
Character
Meaning
東
east
南
south
西
west
北
north
East, South, West, and North.
Dragons
Character
Meaning
Tile
中
middle, center
Red Dragon
發
to issue or to prosper
Green Dragon
None or a frame
Often linked to 白, white
White Dragon
Red, Green, and White.
Flowers and seasons
Character
Meaning
梅
plum
蘭
orchid
菊
chrysanthemum
竹
bamboo
春
spring
夏
summer
秋
autumn
冬
winter
Simplified forms
Our tiles use traditional forms, which most sets show. You may also see simplified forms on some sets, such as 万 for 萬, or 东 for 東.
Reading Japanese sets
Japanese sets use the same core tiles. The dragon and wind characters are the same or close, while the spoken names are different, as our tile names guide shows.
Tips for learning
Learn the winds in order, then the numbers.
Say the English name as you see each one.
Practice on the Tile Trainer, and turn off helper numbers when you feel ready.