Graduation is more than a ceremony—it is a marker of accomplishment, a threshold crossed, and for many, a deeply emotional moment shared with family, mentors, and friends. In places like Hawaii, California, and increasingly across the continental United States, one of the most recognizable symbols of graduation is the lei: a circle of flowers, leaves, shells, ribbons, or even candy, draped around a graduate’s neck. At first glance, it may appear as a decorative flourish, but the graduation lei carries layers of cultural meaning, symbolic gesture, and modern creativity that deserve a closer look.
If you’ve ever wondered why leis are given at graduations, what they symbolize, and how the practice has evolved from ancient Polynesian roots to TikTok-era celebrations, this article will unpack the history, the meanings, the varieties, and the surprising contemporary adaptations that make graduation leis not just an accessory, but an emblem of honor and belonging.
The Origins of Graduation Leis
The lei is deeply rooted in Polynesian culture, particularly Hawaiian tradition, where it has been crafted and exchanged for centuries. In Hawaii, leis were originally made from native plants and flowers, each chosen for symbolic properties. They were offered to honor warriors, chiefs, and loved ones in moments of welcome, farewell, or recognition.
The act of placing a lei over someone’s shoulders is not just gift-giving—it is a ritual of acknowledgment. It is said in Hawaiian culture that when you give a lei, you give a piece of yourself.
When American-style graduations became widespread in Hawaii during the 20th century, the tradition of lei-giving seamlessly merged with the ceremonial milestone. Today, for Hawaiian graduates, receiving dozens of leis is not uncommon, with flowers piled so high they nearly cover the student’s face.
As people from Hawaii migrated or shared their traditions, the practice spread to the mainland United States, evolving into a symbol embraced by diverse communities.
What Graduation Leis Symbolize
The lei is more than ornamentation; it carries a bundle of meanings that resonate deeply in the context of graduation. Among the most common associations are:
- Love and Affection: A tangible expression of the love and pride felt by family and friends.
- Achievement and Honor: Marking the crossing of a significant threshold in education and life.
- Connection and Belonging: A symbol of community, showing that no graduate succeeds alone.
- Transition: The circular shape of the lei itself signifies continuity, life cycles, and new beginnings.
One Hawaiian elder once told a graduating class: “The lei is a circle without end, reminding you that your story continues, even as this chapter closes.”
Types of Graduation Leis
Not all leis are made of flowers. Modern celebrations have expanded the materials, shapes, and meanings. Below is a table showing traditional and contemporary types:
| Type of Lei | Material Used | Symbolism/Meaning | Modern Popularity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Floral Lei | Orchids, plumeria, carnations | Beauty, respect, celebration | Most traditional, highly popular |
| Ti Leaf Lei | Ti leaves (green) | Protection, strength, good luck | Common in Hawaii and Pacific Islands |
| Candy Lei | Wrapped candies, ribbons | Sweetness, playful encouragement | Popular among children and teens |
| Money Lei | Folded currency bills | Prosperity, practical gift | Increasingly trendy on mainland US |
| Ribbon Lei | Satin or decorative ribbon | Keepsake, personalized colors | Lasts longer than fresh flowers |
| Shell or Kukui Nut Lei | Natural shells or nuts | Strength, endurance, connection to nature | Often worn at formal or cultural ceremonies |
| Custom Keepsake Lei | Beads, fabric, charms | Memory and personalization | Growing in popularity for longevity |
Why Leis Matter in Graduation Rituals
Every culture has symbols for transitions: mortarboards, diplomas, tossing caps into the air. The lei adds something uniquely tactile and personal—it is handmade or hand-chosen, intimate, and layered with meaning. For many families, the act of giving a lei is as important as hearing a name called from the stage.
Graduates often keep at least one lei dried, preserved, or stored in memory boxes, long after the flowers fade. As one graduate from Honolulu put it: “The smell of orchids on my graduation day is something I’ll never forget—it was the smell of my family’s pride.”
The Modern Expansion of Graduation Leis
In recent years, social media and cultural exchange have turned graduation leis into a national and even global trend. On Instagram or TikTok, videos of high schoolers and college students being draped with leis go viral every May and June.
What’s changed?
- DIY Explosion: YouTube tutorials on how to craft ribbon or candy leis have democratized the tradition.
- Customization: Schools and families match lei colors to school mascots or add personal charms.
- Money Leis as Practical Gifts: In a world of rising tuition, folding bills into leis has become a clever, celebrated way to combine practicality with beauty.
- Cross-Cultural Exchange: Non-Hawaiian families are adopting the lei as part of their graduation rituals, often mixing it with their own traditions.
This expansion has raised questions of cultural appreciation versus appropriation. Hawaiian cultural practitioners often emphasize that sharing the lei is not inherently disrespectful, as long as the act is performed with sincerity and respect. As one cultural educator explains: “The lei is about aloha—love, generosity, connection. If you give it with that spirit, you are honoring its roots.”
How to Choose the Right Graduation Lei
Selecting a lei is an act of thoughtfulness. Here are some considerations:
- Cultural Respect: When possible, learn the meaning of specific flowers or materials.
- Graduate’s Personality: Some prefer traditional floral leis; others love the humor of candy leis.
- Durability: Fresh orchids last long enough for most ceremonies, while ribbon leis can be preserved for years.
- Budget: Money leis, while practical, require folding skills and often multiple bills.
- School Restrictions: Some institutions limit oversized leis on stage—always check ahead.
Making Your Own Graduation Lei
Crafting a lei at home can be a rewarding gesture. Popular DIY choices include:
- Ribbon Leis: Easy to make with satin ribbon, often braided into colorful spirals.
- Candy Leis: Individually wrapped candies tied end-to-end with ribbon or plastic wrap.
- Paper Flower Leis: Affordable, especially for large families gifting multiple graduates.
The process of making a lei mirrors its meaning—it takes patience, creativity, and intention.
The Emotional Impact of Leis
For many graduates, the moment of receiving leis is the emotional climax of the ceremony. Family members crowd around, draping lei after lei, sometimes until the graduate can barely be seen. Photographs capture faces peeking out from cascades of flowers and ribbons.
This visible layering tells a story: each lei represents someone’s pride, love, and memory. In a culture where academic milestones can feel abstract, the lei transforms intangible achievement into something sensory, fragrant, and lasting.
Quotes on Graduation Leis
- “A lei is not just flowers—it is the arms of your family around your neck.”
- “When you give a lei, you give more than beauty—you give presence, you give honor.”
- “The circle of the lei is the circle of life, and graduation is one of its most important turns.”
- “Even after the flowers fade, the memory of receiving them endures.”
Globalization of the Tradition
Interestingly, the graduation lei has begun appearing in schools outside the U.S. Pacific sphere. In Australia, Canada, and even parts of Europe, immigrant families have brought the custom with them. The lei’s visual appeal and celebratory energy make it adaptable, and schools increasingly embrace it as part of multicultural recognition.
This globalization raises important conversations: Is the lei becoming “mainstream,” or does its power remain tied to Hawaiian and Polynesian culture? Many suggest the answer is both.
Challenges and Controversies
With rising demand, commercial florists and online vendors now sell pre-made leis shipped nationwide. While this makes the tradition accessible, some critics worry about:
- Over-commercialization: Mass-produced leis may lose the personal touch.
- Environmental Concerns: Shipping fresh flowers thousands of miles carries a carbon footprint.
- Cultural Missteps: Some buyers misunderstand or trivialize the symbolism.
These challenges highlight the importance of education. If consumers learn and honor the roots of the tradition, they help preserve its meaning rather than dilute it.
Graduation Leis in Popular Media
From Hollywood films set in Hawaii to viral graduation reels, leis are becoming symbolic shorthand for accomplishment. They carry a cinematic quality—the lush colors, the dramatic draping, the visible joy. Media depictions often spark curiosity, prompting mainland viewers to ask, “Why are they wearing those?”
In answering that question, the tradition finds new life beyond its origins.
The Future of Graduation Leis
Looking ahead, graduation leis are likely to continue evolving. Some predictions include:
- Sustainable Materials: Reusable fabrics, biodegradable threads, or locally grown flowers.
- Digital Integration: QR-coded ribbons linking to video messages.
- Global Spread: More schools worldwide incorporating leis into ceremonies.
- Hybrid Traditions: Combining leis with other cultural practices, like garlands from South Asia or wreaths from Europe.
The lei is not frozen in time; it adapts, much like the graduates it adorns.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Why are leis given at graduation?
Leis are given to symbolize love, honor, and accomplishment, rooted in Hawaiian tradition and adapted for graduation milestones.
2. What are leis made of?
Traditionally flowers or leaves, but modern leis can be crafted from ribbon, candy, money, shells, or even beads.
3. Can non-Hawaiians wear or give leis?
Yes—if done respectfully. The lei embodies aloha, a spirit of love and generosity, which transcends cultural boundaries.
4. How long do fresh leis last?
With proper refrigeration, orchid leis can last several days. Ti leaf or kukui nut leis last much longer.
5. What should I do with my leis after graduation?
Many graduates dry or preserve leis as keepsakes, while others compost or return them to the earth, respecting natural cycles.
Final Thoughts
The graduation lei is not just decoration. It is heritage, honor, love, and memory woven into one tangible form. Its petals and ribbons whisper stories of ancient Polynesia and modern classrooms, of proud families and ambitious young people. As traditions spread and evolve, the lei remains timeless because it answers a universal human need: the desire to mark life’s thresholds with beauty, meaning, and connection.
In the end, whether fragrant with orchids, strung with candy, or folded from dollar bills, the lei tells every graduate the same message: You are celebrated. You are loved. You are not alone on this journey.