Lei
A garland of flowers, shells or leaves given in Hawaii as a sign of love and welcome.
Also: garland
A lei is a garland of flowers, leaves, shells, feathers or nuts, made and worn in Hawaii and across the Pacific. It is given at arrivals and departures, graduations, weddings, birthdays and celebrations, with a kiss or an embrace, as a sign of affection and honour. Orchids, plumeria, maile leaves and kukui nuts are among the materials. Receiving a lei and taking it off in front of the giver is considered rude. Each island has its own flower, and 1 May is Lei Day. The making of a lei is an art, passed through families, and each is meant to express the love of the person making it.
Region: Oceania