What Are Wind Tiles in Mahjong?

Wind tiles are honor tiles representing the four cardinal directions: East, South, West, and North. There are 4 of each Wind (16 total). They're used in various NMJL card hands and are often abbreviated as E, S, W, N or collectively as NEWS.

Wind tiles are the four honor tiles representing the cardinal directions: East, South, West, and North. A standard set has 4 of each Wind, 16 total. They sit outside the three numbered suits (Dots, Bamboo, Characters) and show up in the Winds section of the NMJL card, abbreviated as E, S, W, N, or NEWS for all four. Common Wind hands ask for one of each Wind (the NEWS pattern), pairs or Pungs of specific Winds, or Wind combinations with Dragons or suit tiles. East also marks the dealer position, which rotates counterclockwise after each game. The East player deals first, holds 14 tiles instead of 13, and throws the first discard.