What’s the Deal with Chinese Games?
Retrospect from 2019: Exploring Mahjong and Xiangqi
Features | Joseah Tsai
Growing up, we play all kinds of games coming from all around the world. These come in many different forms such as board games, card games, physical games, video games, and many more. Although games are mostly seen as simple pastimes, playing them actually helps us improve many aspects in our life, namely physical and mental health, quality time and interaction with people, and reaction and reflex time to name a few. However, have you ever thought of how these games survived from ancient times to now? Today, I will be discussing two of the most internationally known Chinese games: Mahjong (麻將) and Chinese chess or Xiangqi (象棋), and how these two became the games we know of today.
Mahjong
Mahjong (麻將) was already being played in China during the mid to late 1800s. In the 1920s, Mahjong was brought over to the United States. Sadly, by 1949, the game was completely banned by the government because of its tendency to be used for gambling. Finally, in 1985, because of the Cultural Revolution, the government declared it legal to play. Today, Mahjong is gaining even more popularity and recognition, not only in Asia, but all around the globe including America.
The game is frequently referenced in various mediums such as anime, manga, and films. It has even found success as a computer game, causing it to continue gaining popularity as a game going into the 21st century. One example of this game being referenced is in the film Crazy Rich Asians, where Rachel Chu (Constance Wu) invites Eleanor Young (Michelle Yeoh) to a game of mahjong. In that scene, audiences were able to get a glimpse of how they used mahjong as a way to demonstrate life: sacrificing something to make the other person “win”.
Xiangqi
Chinese chess or Xiangqi (象棋) was often thought to have spread from India, but was actually already being played in China during the Warring States period in 475–221 BCE. Ancient Chinese, relying on one character to give meaning, caused confusion of its origin due to the ambiguity of the characters, notably Xiang (象). Because of this, Xiangqi then could mean “Elephant Game,” “Figure Game,” or “Constellation Game.” Today, in China, we can see numerous people being absorbed into playing this game in parks and on street corners. Regardless of its origin, Xiangqi has became a popular board game as it is in the same family as Western Chess.
Through these games we play, we get to see a bit of the country’s history — in this case, China’s history. Yes, these games are fun and all, but it makes it even more special knowing where and how it came to be. Using this knowledge, we can also keep these games going and teaching people about it.
References:
http://www.mahjongsets.co.uk/history-mahjong.html
A Brief History of Chinese Chess
https://www.livingmadeeasy.org.uk/scenario.php?csid=421
https://lifehacker.com/top-10-ways-video-games-can-improve-real-life-1711093093
https://www.vox.com/first-person/2018/8/17/17723242/crazy-rich-asians-movie-mahjong
[Editor’s Note: the article was originally published in 2019.]
