The Hawaiian lei represents celebration and peace.
Although the Hawaiian language does not have a distinction between singular and plural forms of "lei," it is common for Western visitors to make this distinction. With its bright colors and festive appearance, the lei is a traditional symbol of celebration and welcome in the Hawaiian islands. When you receive a lei, you are welcomed to the island and your arrival is celebrated among many.
History
The Hawaiian lei was introduced to the island by early Polynesian travelers. They were made out of flowers, shells, nuts, seeds and feathers, and were worn by ancient Hawaiians to beautify themselves. The lei was also used traditionally as a symbol of a peace agreement between two opposing tribal chiefs. In a Heiau temple, two opposing chiefs would intertwine a green maile vine, and this symbolized peace between the two groups. A Maile lei was associated with the patron spirit of dance, known as Laka. Ti-leaf, a plant also used in traditional leis, was planted around homes to deter evil spirits, and a lei made of two ti-leaves was worn by priests and physicians.
Celebration
During the 1900s, Hawaiian natives lined up along the pier to greet visitors and returning natives with leis. These traditional garments would then be draped around the neck as a symbol of welcome and greeting. When visitors departed from the island, they threw the lei back into the sea with the hopes of returning once again just as the leis floated back to the island.
Etiquette
Although there is no right or wrong time to wear a lei, there are a few unspoken rules about receiving and wearing a lei. When you receive a lei, it is a symbol of peace and celebration. You should never refuse a lei, and you should not remove the lei in the presence of the person who gave it to you. This is a symbol of disrespect and should be avoided until you are away from the person who gave it to you.
Other uses
Leis can also be worn at Hawaiian-themed parties and are not restricted in use for locations outside of Hawaii. You can give or receive a lei at a birthday party, marriage, or graduation party. It is not uncommon for a graduating senior in Hawaii to have a neck-full of leis on his neck.
Mythological associations
Aside from the traditional uses of the garment, leis had, and still have, religious and mythological associations. Leis that are made out of the hala fruit represent love and desire, as well as the marking of a change or passing. For this reason, many people avoid wearing leis made with the hala fruit because it is believed that it will bring change that is undesirable, while other people will only wear this type of lei.
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