Mahjong is based on a game in Ancient China known as Ma Jiang, which means ‘sparrow’. The game originates from the Qing Dynasty, between 1644 and 1911. The game is believed to have been invented by a Chinese military officer, during the Taiping Rebellion, to pass time. However, some sources say the game emerged 3000 years ago, during the Shang Dynasty.
The game spread from China to Japan in the 19th century, where it was modified into the game we know today. The game is incredibly popular in both China and Japan. Mahjong is translated into multiple languages, and it’s common to play along with family and friends in most of East Asia.