History of the Mahjong Gambling Game

Mahjong is said to have originated in the country of China. One of the legends in the origins of the Mahjong game would state that the Chinese philosopher named Confucius has invented the game in about five hundred B.C. However, this legend is said to be apocryphal in nature. Yet the legend states also that the game has appeared in many states in the Chinese territory which has appeared at about the same time that Confucius has traveled around China in order to teach his beliefs and doctrines. It is also said that the dragon tiles in which there are three evident in the mahjong game pieces, also coincide with the three cardinal virtues that have been given out by the said Chinese philosopher.

Under the story, various tiles would represent the virtues of Sincerity, Benevolence and Filial Piety; and incidentally, there is a belief that the game Mahjong which also means sparrow, was named in such a way because the Chinese philosopher, Confucius is said to be very fond of birds. At this point in time, there is no real evidence that would discount the possibility of Confucius being the likely inventor of the said game.

It is a great wonder to the Mahjong playing population of why this traditional game of the Chinese has been band in China during the year 1949 during the time of the foundation of the People's Republic of China, as it is indeed a deeply rooted part of the Chinese cultural heritage. The communist government of China, at the time, did not allow any type of gambling activity as they believe that it serves as a symbol of the corruption of capitalism. So even though this game was a major part of the Chinese cultural heritage, it was still banned despite that.

However, after the Chinese cultural revolution, the game of mahjong was then put back to the stage and revived as it soon was speedily turned into one of the most favorite ways to pass the time in not only mainland China, but in its neighboring territories as well, like Hong Kong, and Macao. The game was particularly popular amongst the Cantonese people and in the Canton area.

Eventually, in the year 1998, the popularity of the Mahjong game grew and soon after, instead of it being known as just a gambling game, it was approved by the Chinese sports commission to become a healthy sport with a new set of rules in which it could also be played as international tournament rules.