Welcome to the Red Coin Lunar Year Set website!

This set commemorates the Year of the Rat, which traditionally represents a new beginning and promises prosperity if you are careful to save for future needs in more demanding times. I used this theme because I chose this year to retire from 30 years of teaching, so I am beginning a new era in my own life and hope it will be another 30 creative and productive years to come! For this reason, there are 30 sets in this edition.

Each set includes a small booklet explaining some of the reasons for the designs I came up with, descriptions of the Seasonal Festivals, a small (tip of the iceburg-small) profile of each Chinese Zodiac animal and other information I felt would add interest for you.

Here are some of the highlights:
The Case: Not an ordinary trumpet case but an expertly crafted, solid walnut show case where your tiles are clearly visible through an inset glass lid. Handles have been added to make it a bit easier to lift and move around and it also has feet with felt on the bottom to protect your fine furniture. Inside the case there is a single tile tray, lined with "lucky Chinese Red" felt, lifting ribbons to lift the tray out of the case, and a lifting ribbon to get the tiles out easily. Under the tile tray the four racks fit neatly into the bottom of the case (also lined). On the bottom of the case you will find the Red Coin trademark decal. Each decal notes the number of the set it matches. There is a locking latch and a key with a Red Coin bamboo keytag, also numbered.

The Tiles: These ivory colored tiles are the perfect backdrop to the colorful designs, which are designed, carved and hand painted by me. Also included are a couple of blank tiles -- just in case. Each #1 Dot is signed and numbered, making it unique. There is a choice between two "wind" designs: “The Four Heavenly Kings” who 'guard the slopes of paradise', or the “KidWinds” which 'remind us of the playful way the winds blow'. This special set will include a full set of 12 Animal Jokers, which represent each of the 12 Zodiac years in the Lunar cycle. The 8 “flower” tiles represent 8 of the many Seasonal Festivals celebrated by the Chinese. These tiles are chunky, slightly larger than typical tiles, easy to read and handle. They make a great pool-ball clicking sound when you play.

Accessories: Inside the small silky pouch (each set will have a different color) will be 2 spare tiles, 3 swirled bronze plastic dice and key. On the front of the pouch is a traditional symbol of good luck in China, a red knotted cord called the Flower Knot. It is tied from one length of thread, and when finished the knot is identical on both sides. The small bells symbolize the traditional Temple bells used to dispel evil spirits. The walnut racks are specially sized to fit the large tiles, using a replica shape from the first racks used many years ago.

Thanks for taking the time to visit my Red Coin Mah Jong site, I hope you like it! Many thanks to CHarli for her hard work and brilliant layouts creating this site, just one more of her many talents.

Lunar Edition Sets will be available June 1, 2008 for $975 including shipping in the U.S. (lower 48). There are now 21 sets left in the Limited Edition of 30, reserve your set today!