Mahjong, Family, and the Art of Ceremony
Some things come into our lives at just the right time. For me, one of those things has been Mahjong. My mom first learned the game when we were babies and we were living in Taiwan and Okinawa. For her, it was a way to connect, to laugh, to belong in new cultures. Over the years she played off and on, the rhythm of the tiles becoming part of her story.
Recently my sister caught the Mahjong bug, and together, they introduced me. Now, I find myself falling in love with this ancient game, and what’s even more powerful — I’m experiencing it as ceremony. Mahjong has become our family ritual, one that carries meaning, memory, and joy every time we gather around the table. Kevin and the kids are learning to play too, which makes it even more special — another way our family connects, laughs, and learns together.
What is Mahjong?
For those who may be new, Mahjong is a Chinese tile game that dates back to the Qing dynasty. It’s played with 144 tiles etched with symbols like dragons, winds, bamboo, and flowers. The game is a dance of skill, memory, intuition, and luck — like rummy, but with tiles that feel alive in your hands.
What makes Mahjong so remarkable is its adaptability. Across countries and cultures, rules shift and styles vary, but the heart of the game remains the same: bringing people together. For a deeper dive into Mahjong’s history and how it’s played, you can explore this overview on Britannica.
The Ceremony of Gathering
When I sit down with my mom and sister, there’s a quiet magic in the air. We shuffle the tiles, and the sound is like waves on the shore. We lean close, laugh, and fall into a rhythm that feels timeless.
That’s when I realized: Mahjong is ceremony.
The ritual of setting up the table.
The tactile meditation of holding the tiles.
The rhythm of play, like a heartbeat that carries us into presence.
The connection between generations of women in my family.
It isn’t just a game. It’s a sacred act of gathering, pausing, and remembering what matters.
Mahjong as a Mindfulness Practice
I’ve always been drawn to practices that bring me into the present — gemstones, meditation, ceremony. Mahjong surprised me by becoming one of those practices.
The Tiles as Anchors: The tiles feel grounding in my hands, their weight and design calling me into the moment.
The Flow of Play: Watching patterns emerge, responding to each move, and trusting intuition feels meditative.
Strategy and Surrender: Mahjong teaches me to plan — and also to release control. A reminder that life is both choice and chance.
Mahjong Across Cultures: From Asia to the World
One of the things that fascinates me most about Mahjong is how far it has traveled — not just across countries, but across cultures, generations, and communities. What began in China centuries ago is now woven into the lives of people all over the world.
In Asia
Mahjong’s roots are in China, but my own connection began with my mom learning while we lived in Taiwan and Okinawa. Across Asia, Mahjong is everywhere — from family gatherings to neighborhood tea houses to competitive play. In Japan, a variation called Riichi Mahjong developed its own subculture, while in Korea and Singapore, Mahjong remains a beloved social tradition.
In Jewish Communities
Mahjong holds a special place in Jewish culture, especially among women who made it a weekly tradition. For decades, Mahjong groups have been spaces of laughter, bonding, and support — a kind of sisterhood that passed the game down through generations.
In African American Social Circles
During the Harlem Renaissance of the 1920s and 30s, Mahjong was wildly popular in African American communities. It was stylish, international, and paired perfectly with the jazz age energy. The game became part of the cultural fabric of social clubs and gatherings.
Among American Housewives
When Mahjong first arrived in the U.S. in the 1920s, it created a nationwide craze. Department stores sold beautiful imported sets, magazines featured articles on “how to play,” and Mahjong quickly became a favorite pastime in American living rooms. For many women in the mid-20th century, it was more than a game — it was a weekly ritual of connection and conversation.
Modern Global Players
Today, Mahjong is experiencing a massive comeback. Chic, modern sets in bright colors and fresh designs are drawing younger generations to the game. Online platforms have made it possible to play with friends across the globe, and international tournaments showcase its competitive side. If you’re inspired to start playing yourself, there are gorgeous sets available — one of my favorites is The Mahjong Line, which reimagines the tiles with fresh designs while honoring tradition.
Why Mahjong’s Comeback Matters
I believe Mahjong is having a resurgence right now because we’re all craving something deeper.
Community: In a digital age, people want in-person connection. Mahjong offers that in a simple, joyful way.
Tradition: As the world speeds up, traditions anchor us. Mahjong reminds us of lineage and history.
Playful Ceremony: We long for practices that are both fun and meaningful. Mahjong shows us that ceremony doesn’t have to be solemn — it can be playful too.
The Meaning Behind the Tiles
You know me — I love to learn the meaning and ceremony behind the things I fall in love with. The more I play, the more I see that beneath Mahjong’s structure lies a quiet philosophy — a reflection of life itself. Every tile, every number, every choice carries a rhythm that speaks to the balance of chance and intention.
The Language of the Tiles
Mahjong’s core suits — Dots, Bamboo, and Characters — each tell a story:
Dots (or Circles) represent coins, abundance, and flow — the endless cycle of giving and receiving.
Bamboo evokes growth and flexibility — the ability to bend without breaking.
Characters, marked with the symbol for “ten-thousand,” speak to completion, fulfillment, and the multitude of experiences that make up a life.
Then there are the Winds and Dragons, symbolic of movement and transformation.
The Winds remind us that change is constant; they shift our direction just when we think we’ve found stillness.
The Dragons — red, green, and white — symbolize the heart, prosperity, and purity. In some ways, they’re the breath of the game, the animating energy that moves everything forward.
Numbers as a Reflection of Life
Even the numbers in Mahjong can hold meaning. Traditionally, the tiles are numbered from one through nine, and each can be seen as a step on a spiritual or emotional journey:
1 – new beginnings, independence, the start of something sacred.
2 – balance and partnership; two forces finding harmony.
3 – creativity and growth, the expansion that comes after unity.
4 – foundation, stability, the home we build around what matters.
5 – the center; it represents grounding, alignment, and the heart of all directions.
6 – smooth progress, flow, and adaptability.
7 – reflection and inner wisdom.
8 – prosperity, expansion, and confidence.
9 – fulfillment, culmination, and legacy.
To hold a hand of tiles, then, is to hold a mirror to your life — beginnings and endings, challenge and ease, luck and choice, all living side by side.
The Poetry of the “2025” Hand
When I won with my 2025 hand, I couldn’t help but feel the symbolism.
2 for partnership — the sacred balance between mother, sister, and me.
0 (the “soap” tile, or white dragon) for the clean slate — the space between moments.
2 again for connection — because life repeats the lessons worth learning.
5 for the center — the grounding heart of family and tradition.
In its own way, this hand told a story of lineage and renewal. It felt like the universe whispering, “You’re exactly where you belong.”
Lessons Mahjong is Teaching Me
Every game with my mom and sister teaches me something new:
Patience: Waiting for the right tile is like waiting for the right season — timing is everything.
Resilience: Sometimes you discard a tile and realize later you needed it. You learn to release regret and keep moving.
Connection: The game only comes alive when we gather together.
Joy: The real win isn’t who calls “Mahjong!” — it’s the laughter that fills the room.
Creating Your Own Family Rituals
Mahjong has reminded me that any practice can become ceremony when done with intention. Maybe for you, it’s:
A weekly dinner.
A card game with friends.
A morning walk with a partner.
A book club or knitting circle.
The activity matters less than the presence you bring. That’s where the sacred lives — in the gathering, the laughter, the intention to connect.
Closing Reflection
For me, Mahjong has become more than just a game. It’s a way to honor my mom’s history, to share something meaningful with my sister, and to create a new layer of tradition in my own life.
The clink of the tiles, the laughter we share, the hours that melt away — these are the moments that remind me of the essence of The Art of Ceremony: finding the sacred in connection, play, and love.
Mahjong has taught me that ceremony isn’t always found in silence or stillness. Sometimes, it’s found in a joyful game at the kitchen table, surrounded by the people you love.
