Teen (Heaven) Rank 1
6-6 and 6-6 (12 Pips)
The highest Civil tile, painted entirely in vermilion cinnabar. Symbolizes the cosmic vault of heaven and supreme authority.
The 32 Domino Tiles
Anatomy, Names & Traditional Pairs
Unlike Western double-six dominoes, a traditional Chinese set consists of 32 tiles divided into 22 Civil tiles and 10 Military tiles. Every tile has its own poetry, rank, and partner. Here is your complete visual guide to identifying them at a glance.
Two Simple Rules to Read Any Tile
1. The Cinnabar Red Rule
Every 1 pip and 4 pips on any tile are painted vermilion red. In addition, the 6-6 (Heaven) tile is painted completely red to honor its celestial dignity. All other pips (2s, 3s, 5s, and other 6s) are soot black.
2. Twins vs. Partners
Civil tiles (22 total) come in 11 pairs of exact matching twins. Military tiles (10 total) have unique faces but pair up because their total pip sums are identical (9s, 8s, 7s, 5s, and the Supreme Pair).
文 The 22 Civil Tiles (11 Matching Pairs)
Ranked from highest dignity (Rank 1) to lowest (Rank 11). Each pair consists of two identical tiles.
Day (Earth) Rank 2
1-1 and 1-1 (2 Pips)
Two vermilion pips representing the solid ground, stability, and enduring foundation beneath all things.
Yun (Man) Rank 3
4-4 and 4-4 (8 Pips)
Eight vermilion pips representing humanity standing balanced between Heaven and Earth in classical cosmology.
Gor (Harmony) Rank 4
1-3 and 1-3 (4 Pips)
One red pip over three black pips. Named for the harmony among human relationships and peace in the realm.
Moong (Plum Flower) Rank 5
5-5 and 5-5 (10 Pips)
Ten pips arranged like blossoming plum petals, enduring winter frosts to bring forth early spring.
Chong (Long Cloth) Rank 6
3-3 and 3-3 (6 Pips)
Six black pips symbolizing scholar robes and long ceremonial silk banners.
Bon (Axe) Rank 7
2-2 and 2-2 (4 Pips)
Four black pips symbolizing carpenter straight-edges and craftsman integrity.
Fu (Red Head) Rank 8
5-6 and 5-6 (11 Pips)
Five black pips over six pips with two red centers, resembling a heavy battle axe.
Ping (Long Leg) Rank 9
4-6 and 4-6 (10 Pips)
Four red pips over six black pips, named for long athletic strides and speed.
Tit (Zero Head) Rank 10
1-6 and 1-6 (7 Pips)
One red pip over six black pips, evoking summer monsoon raindrops falling from clouds.
Look (Copper Hammer) Rank 11
1-5 and 1-5 (6 Pips)
One red pip over five black pips, named after the heavy bronze mallet of temple artisans.
武 The 10 Military Tiles (5 Arithmetic Pairs)
Paired not by identical faces, but by their matching pip sums. Includes the legendary Supreme Pair.
★ The Supreme Pair (Gee Joon) SUPREME
[1-2] and [2-4] (Dynamic 3 or 6)
The crowning hand in Chinese dominoes. Together they are invincible, beating every other combination in the game. Individually, each tile acts as a 3 or a 6 to maximize your hand score.
Mixed Nines Rank 12
[3-6] and [4-5] (Both sum to 9 pips)
The highest Military pair. Though their face layouts differ, they pair by their matching sum of 9 pips.
Mixed Eights Rank 13
[2-6] and [3-5] (Both sum to 8 pips)
Pairing by their shared sum of 8 pips. Highly versatile for constructing defensive and aggressive splits.
Mixed Sevens Rank 14
[2-5] and [3-4] (Both sum to 7 pips)
Pairing by their shared sum of 7 pips. Combined with Heaven or Earth tiles, they produce the famous High Nine.
Mixed Fives Rank 15
[1-4] and [2-3] (Both sum to 5 pips)
Pairing by their shared sum of 5 pips. Fast, nimble tiles commonly used for balancing front hands.