Polynesian Petals
The Meaning and Making of a Lei
Leis are traditional Hawaiian flower necklaces made of the beautiful and colorful blossoms found in Hawaii. Traditionally, leis were made only from the most attractive blooms, and given on special occasions, such as luaus. Today they are given out much more frequently than in the past, particularly at Hawaiian events for tourists. These necklaces are given as a sign of welcoming and a show of affection.
The wearing of leis is an ancient custom. Captain Cook first recorded the wearing of leis in Hawaii in 1779, but the tradition actually dates back many centuries. It is an early Polynesian idea used for beauty and to distinguish the wearer from others. These leis, usually worn by the upper class, were made not only of flowers but also of feather, beads, ivory, or shells. Another type of traditional lei, today seen less commonly than the floral lei, is one made of Maille leaves. Woven out of these large green leafs, it is associated with the god of Hula, and is today most often seen on hula dancers. In centuries past the maile lei was also used to signify peace between two opposing groups.
Today, leis make excellent favors for luau parties and island-style weddings. Lei presentation ceremonies are a popular part of weddings and Hawaiian-style parties. They can be worn instead of corsages by the wedding party and family, exchanged during the ceremony, or given as wedding favors. They can also be given for birthdays, graduations, or other important events.
When wearing a lei, there is no need for a special occasion; it is appropriate to wear a lei anytime, anywhere. However, there are a couple of rules to follow. First, never refuse a lei. Because it is a symbol of affection, it is considered rude to refuse the offering. Once the flowers have wilted, do not throw the lei in the trash. It should be returned to the place where the flowers were gathered, if possible, or returned to the earth through hanging in a tree, burying, or burning the lei.
No matter where you are in the world, you can likely find a florist who specializes in these beautiful flower necklaces. For low-budget luaus, you can also find colorful and festive leis made of plastic, cloth, or paper.
You can even make your own leis using tropical flowers. Orchids are the most popular choice for Hawaiian leis, although many different tropical blooms can be used. Other common lei flowers are yellow or pink Plumeria, which is also called Frangipani, as well as Lehua Blossoms. These large blossoms are fragrant and beautiful, and are species found all over the islands of Hawaii.
Besides the flowers, you'll also need some string and a special lei needle, which is usually about 4 inches long to enable it to go all the way through the blossom. You'll want to push the needle through the bottom part of the flower, and repeat the process until there are five or six blossoms on the needle. Then carefully pull the needle through all of the flowers, being gentle so as to not tear the petals.
Although the process for making leis is fairly simple, it requires quite a bit of practice to make the leis look beautiful without destroying the flowers. You can also connect the flowers by braiding or knotting the stems together, although this requires more skill. There are even classes to teach people how to make leis. If you are planning a vacation to Hawaii, that is the perfect opportunity to find a class on lei-making.
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