Mahjong, the centuries-old Chinese tile game, is enjoying a remarkable resurgence across the globe. From designer tile sets and themed parties to a surge in clubs and classes, the game is once again capturing the imagination of players from New York to Sydney. But this revival is not merely a pastime; it is a lens through which to examine cultural exchange, commercialization, and the delicate balance between appreciation and appropriation.
From Qing Dynasty parlors to global tables
Mahjong originated in eastern coastal China in the mid-19th century, during the twilight of the Qing Dynasty. While its exact origins are debated, historians agree it evolved from earlier Chinese tile-based games. By the early 20th century, mahjong had spread across China and reached the United States, France, and the United Kingdom, where it was often marketed as an exotic novelty.
Annelise Heinz, a historian of modern America, notes that American businesses like Abercrombie & Fitch played a significant role in commercializing mahjong, often using Orientalist imagery in advertisements. However, Heinz emphasizes that this success depended heavily on Chinese manufacturing, commercial networks, and cultural expertise. Chinese merchants and community members imported and sold mahjong sets and taught many white Americans how to play—yet their contributions are frequently overlooked.
How the game works and its many variants
Traditionally, mahjong involves four players drawing and discarding from 144 tiles to form winning combinations. Strategy, probability, memory, and the ability to read opponents are all crucial, but the social experience is equally important. Today, there are more than 40 iterations of mahjong played worldwide, with different rules and tile counts. Chinese variants, such as Cantonese and Hong Kong styles, differ from Japanese riichi mahjong, which adds its own unique scoring and tactics.
One of the most distinctive adaptations is American Mah Jongg, developed in the 1920s. This version has its own rules and includes joker tiles that do not exist in the original. The spelling “Mah Jongg” reflects the commercial branding adopted during the American mahjong boom, and the game was later standardized by the National Mahjong League. In the United States, the current revival is centered largely on American Mah Jongg, while in Australia, newer clubs like Lucky Tiles are introducing players to the Hong Kong style.
Cultural and historical significance
In China, mahjong has mirrored broader societal shifts. During the late Qing and republican periods (1912–49), the game moved from male-dominated gambling spaces such as teahouses and brothels into bourgeois homes and parlors. It became increasingly associated with women’s social lives, reflecting changing gender roles and attitudes toward leisure. However, mahjong has not always been viewed positively in China; critics have at various times linked it to gambling or excessive leisure, with anxieties intensifying as the game gained popularity among women.
Despite such criticisms, mahjong’s cultural significance remains undiminished. In many Chinese households, the game is woven into Lunar New Year celebrations and everyday socializing. Outside China, mahjong helps the Chinese diaspora maintain cultural identity, creating a shared space for community and connection across generations.
Why mahjong is booming now
Google data shows rising search interest in “mahjong” and related terms, with media coverage reflecting the game’s soaring popularity. This resurgence is driven by several overlapping trends. Many people are seeking offline activities that provide genuine social connection, particularly following the pandemic. Social media and pop culture have also reshaped perceptions, with many crediting the 2018 film Crazy Rich Asians for sparking renewed interest. Boutique brands and influencers have turned mahjong into a lifestyle trend, promoting fashionable game nights—an extension of what some call the “Chinamaxxing” trend.
Appreciation or appropriation?
Mahjong’s commercial growth has prompted debate about cultural appropriation. This tension is not new. During the 1920s American mahjong craze, the game became fashionable among affluent white women, who embraced what Heinz describes as an Orientalist “feminine exoticism,” using Chinese-inspired dress and language to perform an imagined version of Chinese culture. Ironically, this enthusiasm coincided with escalating anti-Asian prejudice and immigration restrictions in the United States.
Philosopher James Young argues that cultural borrowing is a normal feature of human societies and is not automatically unethical. The more important question is how cultural practices are adopted: Are their origins acknowledged? Does the “borrowing” cause harm to the communities they come from? In her essay “Eating the Other,” the late cultural critic bell hooks cautioned against treating culture as an aesthetic object detached from its history. This tension came into focus in a 2021 controversy when Dallas-based company The Mahjong Line marketed sets with traditional Chinese tiles replaced by English words and Western symbols.
There is also the question of who benefits financially from mahjong’s comeback. Another Dallas-based company, Oh My Mahjong, founded in 2022 by Megan Trottier, reported more than US$30 million in revenue in 2025. Meanwhile, luxury houses like Hermès are selling mahjong sets for tens of thousands of dollars, demonstrating how the culturally significant game has been turned into a lucrative commodity.
The challenge moving forward will be ensuring mahjong’s growing popularity remains connected to the Chinese communities and historical roots that gave it life. As the game continues to evolve across borders, its future will depend on whether players and companies alike honor its origins while embracing its global appeal. For more on how Chinese cultural exports are reshaping global trends, see our analysis of China's influence on open-source technology and the broader implications of China's role in a changing world order.
