Woman wearing a lei and making the shaka sign

Lei is a Hawaiian word for a garland or wreath. The most popular concept of a lei in hawaiian culture is a wreath of flowers draped around the neck presented upon arriving or leaving as a symbol of affection. This concept was popularized through tourism between the Hawaiian Islands and the continental United States in the 19th and 20th centuries. Image File history File linksMetadata Hang_loose_brudda. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Hang_loose_brudda. ... This article or section is missing needed references or citation of sources. ... The Hawaiian language is an Austronesian language that takes its name from that of the largest island in the tropical North Pacific archipelago where it developed. ... For other articles with similar names, see Flower (disambiguation). ... Tourists at Oahu island, Hawaii Tourism is the act of travel for predominantly recreational or leisure purposes, and also refers to the provision of services in support of this act. ... Map of the Hawaiian Islands, a chain of islands that stretches 2,400 km in a northwesterly direction from the southern tip of the Island of Hawai‘i. ...

More loosely defined, a lei is any series of objects strung together with the intent to be worn. A lei (na lei is the plural in the Hawaiian language) may be composed of a pattern or series of just about anything, but most commonly consists of fresh natural foliage such as flowers, vines, or fern fronds. Among the flowers used are the plumeria, lehua blossom or the orchid, though maile leaves are extremely popular as well as traditional among hula dancers. The Hawaiian language is an Austronesian language that takes its name from that of the largest island in the tropical North Pacific archipelago where it developed. ... Species 7-8 species including: Plumeria alba Plumeria inodora Plumeria obtusa Plumeria pudica Plumeria rubra (Also known as Plumeria acutifolia) Plumeria stenopetala Plumeria stenophylla Plumeria (common name Frangipani; syn. ... Metrosideros is a genus of tree native to the islands of the Pacific Ocean, including the Bonin Islands, Polynesia, and Melanesia. ... Orchid re-directs here; for alternate uses see Orchid (disambiguation) Genera Over 800 See List of Orchidaceae genera. ... Maile (pronounced MY-lay) Alyxia oliviformis (chain resembling olive) is a flowering vine in the family Apocynaceae that can be found in native forests of the Hawaiian Islands. ... Hula kahiko performance in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Hula is often performed as a form of prayer at official state functions in Hawaii. ...

Other types of lei may include sea shells, feathers, plastic flowers, fabric, paper (including origami and monetary bills), candy, or anything that can be strung together in a series or pattern and worn as a wreath or a necklace. The traditional crane and papers of the same size used to fold it A paper Pegasus designed by F. Kawahata Origami (Japanese: 折り紙 ori, to fold, and kami, paper folding paper) is the art of paper folding. ...

The three different methods of making lei are: to string the material of the lei usually with a needle through the middle of the flower; to tie each flower individually by the stem; and, last but not least, to make three separate strings of flowers and then braid them together. The last one is reserved as a display of prominent affection or love. A stem is the above ground axis of a vascular plant. ... A braid Step by step creation of a basic braid using three strings To braid is to interweave or twine three or more separate strands of one or more materials in a diagonally overlapping pattern. ... Love is a profound feeling of tender affection for or intense attraction to another. ...

In Polynesian cultures, a lei is something that is created by someone and given to another with the intent to decorate that person for an emotional reason—usually as a sign of affection. Common reasons include greeting, farewell, love, friendship, appreciation, congratulation, recognition, or to otherwise draw attention to the recipient. Polynesians settled the vast Polynesian triangle by 700AD Polynesian culture refers to the aboriginal culture of the Polynesian-speaking peoples of Polynesia and the Polynesian outliers. ...

Among residents of Hawaiʻi, the most popular occasions at which lei can be found are birthdays and graduations. It is not uncommon for a high school or college graduate to be seen wearing so many lei that they reach his or her ears or higher.

External link

• History of the Lei