This article is part two of a two part series in which I discuss the rules and origins of Mahjong. Part one can be found here: https://thedailychina.org/the-rules-of-mahjong/
Origin
Like many things, Mahjong’s origin dates back to ancient China. Also like many things, its creator is unknown. But, historians have created multiple theories about who’s really Mahjong’s inventor.
First up is Confucius, a Chinese philosopher who lived during the period of the Hundred Schools of Thought. Historians theorize that Confucius created the game because of a connection between the three dragon tiles and his three noble virtues. It would be fitting for one of the world’s most famous strategic games to be invented by one of the world’s greatest minds, but there is no other substantial evidence that Confucius is responsible for Mahjong’s conception.
Another theory places Mahjong’s start during the Ming Dynasty as Madiao. This early version of Mahjong is similar to the game Ya Pei. In Ya Pei, the card numbering and flower cards bear a striking resemblance to Mahjong. But, yet again, this theory holds no concrete evidence.
Lastly, some historians even suggest a Shanghainese nobleman created the game in the 1870s. But, this theory has the least convincing evidence leading many to dismiss it immediately.
All theories about Mahjong’s origins are just those: theories. While you may not need to know about Mahjong’s origin to enjoy the game, knowing more about something’s history can make you appreciate it more. Mahjong is a game enjoyed by many, but only truly appreciated by a few.
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I knew that Mahjong, but I never knew that it started to be played during the Ming Dynasty.
Nice article Nick. I’ve always heard of Chinese people playing mahjong, but I’ve never actually played it myself. Your article has really spurred my interest to try and learn how to play mahjong.
This was a great article to learn about the history of mahjong. I learned that one theory places Mahjong’s start during the Ming Dynasty as Madio. All these theories of the origin are just theories. It is great that so many people enjoying playing the game.
I think this is a great article on the Origins of Mahjong. I like this article because I like to read about history and I like to play Mahjong. I think it is interesting that there are many theories of who invented Mahjong.
I have never learned how to play this game but now that I know more about it, I want to learn! Thank you for sharing the different possibles origins of Mahjong. It is very interesting.
Whoa. I didn’t know that Mahjong was invented in ancient China!
When I was younger, I would go to my aunt’s house, and the adults would ALWAYS be playing mahjong. I really want to learn so I can play with them! Keep up the great work, Nick! Your articles are always extremely informative and descriptive.
Mahjong is a game that I found very technical but interesting. The way that it is played and the rules would not have lead me to believe that it was invented so long ago. It seems very fun and I would love to learn to play.
I actually learned how to play this timeless game under some interesting circumstances. Now that I know the history of the game, I can really understand the symbolism as I am playing. Excellent work, Nick!
Great article, Nicholas! It’s interesting how historians can gather different pieces of information to try and figure out who invented Mahjong. Thank you for sharing with us.
My family often plays Mahjong on holidays. It’s crazy how this game could have been invented during the Ming dynasty! Very informative and well written!
Amazing job! I never knew that this game my grandma plays has so much history! I never knew about the theories of the origin, such as that Confucius created the game, Shanghainese nobleman created the game or tMahjong’s start during the Ming Dynasty as Madiao.
It’s super interesting that Majong might have been invented by Confucius or been invented during the Ming Dynasty! Thanks for sharing!
This article really makes me think about who created the popular game Mahjong. I think that one day historians will be able to find out who really created the game.
这是我第一次对麻将历史的了解，这使我十分佩服古人的想象力。也正是因为他们的智慧，我们的生活才会变得丰富多彩。
I personally have never played the game myself, though I have seen relatives play it and it seems fun! Looking forward to playing this in the future.
I have never played mahjong but this article makes the game seem pretty fun and how it started
Great article, Nicholas! I remember wanting to learn how to play this game when I was little because of seeing it on my favorite TV show. Now that I have read this article I find it really interesting on how the historians took the time and effort to figure out who invented Mahjong.
Great article. I never knew that the game originated in ancient china.
I don’t know how to play Mahjong, but the games always look interesting. Thank you for sharing about the origins of Mahjong!
I’ve seen many people play Mahjong before, but I never knew that it’s unknown who the creator is, and that some people theorize that Confucius created it. Interesting article!
I learned how to play mahjong very recently but I never thought about the history of it. Thanks for the information.
I found your article very interesting. I remember my mom trying, and failing, to teach me how to play Mahjong and losing interest afterward. However, this article made me interested in learning more the rules and strategies of this ancient game.
I never understood how to play the game myself, but I guess it’s cool that I now know the theories of how this game was created. Thanks.
What a great article, I never really knew much about Mahjong and it was very helpful to read and understand it more.
Wow, I never knew that mahjong had such rich history! I remember watching my parents play with relatives many times, but never knew it’s origins. I learned about the different theories regarding who had invented the game, such as Confucius and a Shanghainese nobleman. Thanks for sharing!
Interesting to learn about the origins of Majong. Great article!
I would love to play this game sometime! It’s very interesting when a game has a background and story to it. While the stories may just be theories, they certainly do help me appreciate it more.
I found this extremely interesting about how Confucius may have actually been the creator of it. Keep up the great work!
I’ve never played Mahjong, but it sure seems like a lot of fun. I hear so many people talking about it all the time. The reason I find it so interesting is because all of the Chinese cultural games and desserts dates back to important dynasties.
Wow! I never knew the origins of Mahjong, but I always knew that it was an old game, but a very fun game!
从来不知道麻将的起源是这样的，这篇文章让我学到很多。我从来都只会打麻将，而不去了解这些有趣的文化。真是惭愧。
I play this game whenever I go to my cousin’s house and this shows me where it originates from which is very intersting
This article is very fascinating! I watch my family and relatives play this game often! I had no idea that there were so many theories on how Mahjong was created.
我非常喜欢打麻将，打麻将不仅可以看出一个人的修养，还可以活动我们的手臂。麻将这个游戏非常适合中国老年人玩。我知道麻将曾被国际认可，成为了世界智力运动项目。我很开心再一次了解麻将的文化。我觉得大家都应该学会打麻将，别我们的中华文化传承下去！！！🀄️
我很喜欢女娲造人的这个故事。读完这篇故事，我知道了如果要是没有女娲的出现，可能现在也不会有我们人类的出现。女娲这种正义感值得我们学习。她非常有勇气，也非常有爱心。
算盘是中国传统文化和历史的重要标志。读完这篇文章后，我对算盘有了深刻的了解。算盘是一个简单的计算工具，它成为了中华民族的文化瑰宝。虽然它正在从我们严重消失，但我知道现在中国还是会举行珠算比赛来传承我们的中华文化。
我非常荣幸我可以成为中文班的一份子。国际之夜那天，我们吃到了来着很多学生家长亲手做的中国菜。很开心参加了国际之夜这个活动，希望以后还会有更多这种文化交流的活动。
豆沙包，龙须酥，蛋挞和南瓜饼都是我爱吃的中国小吃。看完这篇文章，我想起了我的奶奶，她做的蛋挞和南瓜饼非常好吃。如果有机会，我希望在美国的朋友也可以尝到这些中国有名的点心。其实中国的甜点远不止这些，还有更多好吃的食物值得我们去品尝。
我非常喜欢打麻将，打麻将不仅可以看出一个人的修养，还可以活动我们的手臂。麻将这个游戏非常适合中国老年人玩。我知道麻将曾被国际认可，成为了世界智力运动项目。我很开心再一次了解麻将的文化。我觉得大家都应该学会打麻将，让我们的中华文化传承下去！！！🀄️