Lei is a Hawaiian word for a garland or wreath. The most popular concept of a lei in Western 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 Islands of Hawai'i and the continental United States in the 19th and 20th centuries.
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 flower or the orchid.
Other types of leis 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.
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.
Among residents of Hawaii, the most popular occasions at which leis can be found are birthdays and graduations. It is not uncommon for a high school or college graduate to be seen wearing so many leis that they reach his or her ears or higher.
Although Lei could be termed a nobody, he left behind a diary which became an object of national study after 5 March 1963, when Chairman Mao Zedong called on the nation to learn from the 24-year-old martyr by penning the inscription Xiang Lei Feng tongzhi xuexi (Learn from Comrade Lei Feng).
His diary was reprinted for study, photographs of Lei in action all of a sudden turned up, movies were made about his life, stills from these movies were turned into comic strips; posters bearing his image were produced in staggering quantities.
The lei custom was introduced to the Hawaiian Islands by early Polynesian voyagers, who took an incredible journey from Tahiti, navigating by the stars in sailing canoes.
Leis were constructed of flowers, leaves, shells, seeds, nuts, feathers, and even bone and teeth of various animals.
It is said that departing visitors would throw their lei into the sea as the ship passed Diamond Head, in the hopes that like the lei, they too would return to the islands again some day.
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