Mahjong flower tiles: how many, and how they work
Flowers are the odd ones out: they belong to no suit, every one counts as the same tile, and they show up in many hands on the card.
By Jerry Chen. Checked and updated November 1, 2026
- Also called
- Flowers, seasons (F on the card)
- How many
- 8 in a standard American set
What they are
A standard American set has 8 flower tiles. In American mahjong every flower is the same tile, whatever picture is on it. Season tiles (spring, summer, autumn, winter) count as flowers too.
On the card, flowers are written as F. Flowers and winds are always printed in blue on the card.
How they are used
Flowers work like any other tile in a group. A pung of flowers (FFF), a kong (FFFF) and even a quint are possible.
Jokers can go in a flower pung, kong or quint, because those are groups of three or more identical tiles. A joker can never stand in for a single flower or a flower pair.
You can call a discarded flower to expose a flower group or to win, just like any other tile.
Because there are 8 flowers, a flower quint can be made without jokers, which is not possible for suit tiles.
The numbers on flower tiles
Many flowers carry the numbers 1 to 4. In Chinese mahjong those numbers match the seats at the table and earn extra points. In American mahjong they mean nothing.
A little history
Before jokers arrived in 1961, flowers were the wild tiles of American mahjong, and the number used varied between 8 and 24. The League settled on 8 flowers and 8 jokers with the 1971-72 card.
That is why some old sets have extra, mismatched flowers: players pasted flower decals on spare tiles to make up the numbers.
Common mistakes
- Using a joker as a single flower or in a flower pair.
- Assuming numbered flowers or seasons are different tiles. They are all just flowers.
- Holding out for a flower pair when 7 flowers are already visible: the hand cannot be made and can be called dead.
Rule questions
- Can you use a joker in a pair?
- Can you call another player dead?
- What do the colors on the mahjong card mean?
Common questions
How many flowers are in American mahjong?
Eight. Some sets include more; you only play with 8.
Are season tiles flowers?
Yes. In American mahjong seasons and flowers are interchangeable and all count as flowers.
Can you use a joker for a flower?
Only in a group of three or more flowers. Never for a single flower or a flower pair.
Can you call a flower?
Yes. A discarded flower can be called to make an exposure or to win.
Other tiles
Sources: Tom Sloper, American mah-jongg FAQ 19 (jokers history, flower numbers, card colors); Wikipedia, American mahjong. Rules follow the National Mah Jongg League; house rules vary.