label, signboard, medal, mahjong tiles
牌 centers on a flat, visible marker used for identification or display: a label, signboard, medal, or mahjong tile. All senses share the idea of a flat object that carries information or status.
牌 combines 片 (a split piece of wood, suggesting a flat board) with 卑, which likely contributes the sound. Together they indicate a flat wooden marker such as a sign or label.
A flat wooden board 片 on the left, and on the right 卑 (which looks like a sign with a stand). Picture a wooden signboard with a label or medal hanging from it.
For ハイ, imagine a high signboard: high -> ハイ. The sign is raised high so everyone can see the label.
tile
medal; shield; badge
Buddhist mortuary tablet
tenpai; fishing (i.e. needing one more tile for completion)
dora tile; special tile that increases the han value of a hand
dragon tiles
winning tile
minor tiles (suited tiles numbered 2 through 8); inside tiles
terminal and honor tiles (i.e. 1, 9, and non-numbered tiles)
to disgrace one's ancestors; to tarnish the honour of one's ancestors
mortuary chapel
site of a Buddhist mortuary tablet
surplus tile; tile that has become unnecessary to the advancement of a hand, particularly at the moment tenpai is attained
ancestral tablet
four-color cards (Chinese playing cards); four-suited chess cards
wind tiles
tiles matching the round wind
wall tiles; wall
having too many tiles on one's hand
honor tiles