Harmony

Harmony plays an important part in many variations of the game; from accumulating points, to removing pieces, rules for Harmony fulfill many roles. While specific combinations for Harmonies vary, some similarities exist:

• Most often, Harmonies occur between two pieces, though occassionally those pieces can form a chain with other Harmonious pieces.
• Generally, Harmonies have a value, differentiating valuable or difficult Harmonies from less valuable or simpler ones.
• When Harmonies are present, the White Lotus tile generally produces them easily or increases their value.

In this variation of Pai Sho, specific tiles gain Harmony when positioned properly according to other pieces. Which pieces are Harmonious is intrinsic to the pieces, and can be designated using the table above. In addition, the White Lotus Tile forms Harmony with any Flower piece.

Kutai Pai Sho

In this Variation, Harmony is determined based on three factors of a given piece; its colour (Red or White), its light (Day or Night) and its season (Winter, Spring, Summer or Fall.) The more of these properties shared between two tiles, the stronger the Harmony between  them. (Although tiles depicting the same flower cannot form Harmonies.) Thus, tiles can have 0-, 1-, 2- or 3-point Harmonies between them. A piece always favours the strongest Harmony it can produce, and if two equally strong Harmonies apply, the one with a shorter distance applies. Additionally, nonflower pieces can form Harmonies: the Twig piece can form a 1-point Harmony with any flower; the Wheel forms a 2-point Harmony with either Summer Night pieces or Autumn Day pieces; the Cup forms a 2-point Harmony with Winter Night pieces and Spring Day pieces. (The Spade creates no Harmonies, and is primarily used to create Disharmony; see below.) Finally, the White Lotus forms a Harmony with any piece, equal to that piece's point value.

Disharmony

In most variations featuring Harmony, there is also a way to break Harmony, generally called Disharmony.

• Wiki Pai Sho

Disharmony is caused when a disharmonious piece lies between two otherwise harmonious pieces. It is used to prevent your opponent from getting points. Notable pieces include the Rock, which is disharmonious with all pieces. 

• Kutai Pai Sho

In this variant, Disharmony occurs between adjacent pieces; for two adjacent pieces to form Harmonies (with other pieces; adjacent pieces cannot form Harmonies with each other) they must overcome the Disharmony between them. Much the opposite of Harmony, Disharmony is caused when pieces lack similarities. Thus:

• Two adjacent tiles with no similarities cannot form Harmonies.
• Two adjacent tiles with one similarity can form only 3-point Harmonies.
• Two adjacent tiles with two similarities can form 2- or 3-point Harmonies.
• Two adjacent tiles with three similarities are not restricted in forming Harmonies.

Notable pieces include the Spade, which shares no similarities with any pieces; and the White Jade which creates a 2-point Disharmony with every piece, thus only 3-point Harmonies and nearer 2-point Harmonies are possible. Additionally, the Centerpiece of a given game is unaffected by Disharmony. (Whereby the White Lotus is always unaffected by Disharmony.)