For example, a monarch or chief could wear a feather lei design. For many Pacific cultures, wearing certain lei styles and colors signifies a person’s ranking. The community is tight-knit, all valuing the tradition behind the lei, she said. Mission Viejo resident Heather Heleloa runs an online directory of authentic, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander-owned businesses and lei makers across Southern California. While lei are believed to have originated with the Hawaiians, many Asian Pacific Islander and Oceanic cultures also practice their own lei-making, giving and receiving customs. A lei can also be worn around the head - commonly called a haku lei, or lei po’o (flower crown) - or wrist. Since the Hawaiian language doesn’t distinguish between singular and plural, the word “lei” also refers to more than one of these garlands. With its roots in Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander culture, a lei refers to a series of strung-together objects - most commonly fresh flowers, but can also be made of leaves, braided ribbons, nuts, candy, shells, or even folded money - that are meant to be worn around the neck. But where did the colorful, eye-catching garland come from, and what does receiving and wearing it actually mean? Gifting and wearing a lei is a now ubiquitous tradition during graduations and other special occasions, including birthdays, weddings and even funerals. But many graduates also wear lei - made from flowers, candies, or ribbons around their necks - as congratulations from family and friends. At commencement time, new graduates don their decorated caps and gowns, waving diplomas as they smile for photos.
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