The short answer: Mahjong has 12 dragon tiles: three types — red, green, and white — with 4 copies of each. Every major variant uses them, from American to Chinese, Hong Kong, and Riichi. Dragons are honor tiles that form pungs, kongs, and pairs.
Dragons are the tiles that make mahjong feel like mahjong — red, green, and white, each with its own look and name. They’re also one of the few things every major version of the game agrees on. Let’s count them and see what they do.
Which dragons are in a mahjong set?
- Red dragon, called chun: four tiles, often marked with a red character.
- Green dragon, called hatsu: four tiles, the green one in the trio.
- White dragon, called haku: four tiles, usually a plain blank or a blue frame.
- That’s 12 dragon tiles in total, part of the 28 honor tiles in the standard set.
Do dragons work the same in every variant?
- American mahjong: dragon pungs and kongs appear in many yearly card hands, and jokers can fill in.
- Chinese and Hong Kong mahjong: dragons score as honor sets when collected as pungs or a pair.
- Riichi mahjong: dragon triplets are yakuhai, which earns a valuable hand bonus.
Want to see where dragons sit in the full set? Our article on how many tiles are in a mahjong set lays out the standard 144, and if you’re playing American style, what is American mahjong and how to play American mahjong get you going. Then try American Mahjong online, or match tiles at your own pace with Turtle Mahjong.
Related Questions
Can I win with only dragons?
Not quite. Three dragon pungs are a strong core, and in Chinese mahjong an all-honors hand scores extra. But you still need a fourth set and a pair, or the exact hand the American card requires.
Why is the white dragon blank?
Traditionally the white dragon is a plain white tile, which is why it’s often called the blank. Modern sets add a blue frame or a small design so it isn’t confused with spare tiles in the case.
Do dragons change value between games?
Yes. In Riichi they’re worth bonus points as yakuhai. Chinese and Hong Kong play score them as honor sets, and American mahjong value depends on the yearly card. The tiles never change — their scoring does.