Spring is represented by the fisherman. Chinese miniatures of the fisherman often represent the ancient philosopher Chiang T'ai Kung who was discovered by King Wen of the Chou dynasty. King Wen is attributed with the compilation of the commentaries in the I Ching.

The fisherman's philosophy is simple common sense, it is that good management leads to good working relationships which in turn bring prosperity to all. The fisherman is also renowned for his patience and can represents this quality also.

The fisherman / spring is represented by the Chinese character "Yu", is associated to the East Wind, the colour green, the element wood and the Plum Blossom flower.

Summer is represented by the woodcutter. The woodcutter chopping firewood is a representation of three of the five elements of Chinese philosophy: Fire and Wood and Metal (represented by the woodcutter's axe). Fire is the dominant element which controls wood and metal, and it represents all the positive influences of vitality, drive, ambition and industry. The meaning signified by the woodcutter is success through activity. The woodcutter / summer is represented by the Chinese character "Ch'iao" and is associated to the South Wind, the element fire and the Orchid flower.

Also represented by the farmer and signifying the tasks and toil of bringing in a harvest. It is associated with physical and arduous labour, but all the same, labour which brings its own rich rewards.

The farmer specifically indicates that bodily effort is required to achieve a task, it is not an oblique reference to perseverance or patience but rather indicates that one needs to get up and put one's back into a job!

The farmer / autumn is represented by the Chinese character "Keng" and is associated with the West Wind, the colour white, the element metal and the Chrysanthemum flower.

Also represented by the scholar - the scholar in question being Confucius. The scholar is usually depicted carrying a fly-whisk, which Taoist philosophers would wave to emphasise certain points during discussions.

Winter can be a fallow time when little can be successfully achieved outdoors, the scholar therefore indicates that those of a cultured mind can turn their attentions towards works of literary or artistic merit. For practical minded people the scholar indicates that administrative paperwork must not be forgotten. The qualities of prudence and preserving one's reserves are therefore most significant.

The scholar / winter is represented by the Chinese character "Tu" and is associated with the North Wind, the colour black, the element water and the Bamboo flower.

Known as "Plum" or "Plum Blossom" and represented by the Chinese character "Li". The plum blossom is one of the first signs of spring and thus symbolises innocence and inexperience and reflects happiness. It can also be a sign of renewed vitality and new fortune. The plum flower is associated with the East Wind and the season Spring.

Historically, the White Dragon tile used to be part of the spare tiles in a Mah Jongg set, but later became used in the game itself. The representation of the tile varies in Mah Jongg sets, it is shown as a blank (plain) tile: sometimes marked with the lettering "WHITE", or perhaps with a simple border enclosing the letter "B" (for Blank) or "P" (to represent the Chinese character "Pai"), or with a decorative border only. The White Dragon is a blank tile that represents the mysterious unknown.

The bamboo is a most versatile plant with thousands of uses ranging from house-building to painting and writing, where a small stem of bamboo can be carved into a nib. The bamboo flower represented by the Chinese character "Chu" is associated with writing, learning and scholarship. It is also associated with the North Wind and the season Winter.

The East Wind is associated with spring, the colour green, the dragon constellation (5 Circles) and the element wood.

The South Wind is associated with summer, the colour red, the phoenix constellation (3 Circles) and the element fire.

The West Wind is associated with autumn, the colour white, the tiger constellation (8 Circles) and the element metal.

The North Wind is associated with winter, the colour black, the tortoise constellation (7 Bamboo) and the element water.

The square Wall symbolizes the Great Wall of China or the Walls around a city and also the fourfoldness of the Three Extremities. The Heavens manifest their fourfoldness in the four Seasons, the Earth in the four directions or regions and Mankind in his four manifestations; Life, Death, Man and Woman.