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Symbolism of the Materials in a Lei
Thought should be given to the material which will be used in a lei, and the method with which it will be crafted. Certain lei have traditional meanings. Hala, which also means “to pass, elapse, pass away, pass by” is a lovely lei to give a friend who has lost a loved one, expressing the hope that the grief shall soon pass away. But do not give it as a graduation gift, as one does not wish the hard-won knowledge, or upcoming jobs to pass the recipient by! Instead, a graduate would do well to receive a lei kukui, symbolic of enlightenment or `a`ali`i, symbolic of tenacity – perhaps especially appropriate for an honors graduate?
Maile,
a vining shrub, has a strong fragrance beloved by hula dancers. There
are many varieties of maile. The plant is one of those sacred to Laka,
goddess of hula, and in ceremony is placed on the hula altar. It is a
kinolau, a body form, of the
Maile Sisters - forest spirits who can
take either a plant or a human form.