It’s a Hawaiian tradition to gift high school and college graduates with lei on their graduation day. These lei hold deep-rooted cultural symbolism that makes them a sentimental and meaningful graduation gift. Here’s some information to explain the symbolization behind graduation lei.
Love
The first thing that a Hawaiian graduation lei symbolizes is love. Hawaiians have been using lei as a symbol of love for generations. One of the reasons that Hawaiian natives gift their loved ones lei on graduation day is to show their loving support for that person. When someone you care about has a major accomplishment like a graduation, you want to show them how much you care for and love them, and a lei is a great way to do just that.
Honor
Honor is another symbolic meaning of graduation lei. In many cultures, there is a lot of focus put on getting an education so that you can better your life and bring honor and respect to yourself and your family. Getting an education is an honorable thing to do, and it takes a lot of hard work and dedication to accomplish. Part of the tradition of giving lei on graduation is to represent the honor and respect that a person is bringing to their whole family by earning their diploma. Honoring a person with a lei is a beautiful sentiment, especially on special occasions like graduation day.
Congratulations
The third metaphoric meaning of lei given on graduation days is congratulations. Important life milestones like graduating from high school or college are worth celebrating. It takes a lot of hard work and effort to get a diploma and progress in your education. Therefore, receiving a Hawaiian lei on graduation day is a major symbol of congratulations. This lei is a way for you to tell your loved one how proud you are of them and all they have achieved and accomplished.
Now that you know the cultural symbolism of graduation lei, you have a better understanding of this Hawaiian tradition and its significance. Hawaii Lei Stand has a beautiful and unique selection of fresh graduation lei for your loved one’s special occasion.