Lei facts for kids
A "lei" is a special garland, often made of flowers, leaves, or shells, that people wear around their neck. While the most famous leis come from Hawaii, the word "lei" can actually mean a few different things!
Contents
What is a Hawaiian Lei?
A Hawaiian lei is a beautiful necklace, usually made from fresh flowers, leaves, or even feathers. It's a very important symbol of love, friendship, honor, and celebration in Hawaiian culture. People often give leis to welcome visitors, celebrate special events like graduations, or show affection.
How Are Leis Made?
Making a lei is an art form! The most common way is to string flowers together using a needle and thread. This is called the hili method. Different types of flowers are used, like plumeria, orchids, or pikake, chosen for their beauty and sweet smell. Sometimes, leis are braided or woven from leaves, like the green ti leaf, which are very strong.
Lei Traditions and Meanings
Giving and receiving a lei is a special tradition. When someone gives you a lei, it's a sign of their aloha (love and friendship). It's polite to accept a lei with gratitude and wear it for as long as possible. Leis are often given at airports to welcome people to Hawaii, at parties, or at important ceremonies. Each type of flower or material can also have a special meaning, adding to the lei's significance.
Other Meanings of "Lei"
The word "lei" can also refer to other things around the world.
"Lei" as Money
In some countries, "lei" is the name for their money! For example, the official money in Romania is called the Romanian leu, and in Moldova, it's the Moldovan leu. When you have more than one "leu," you say "lei."
"Lei" in Video Games
If you play video games, you might know "Lei" as a character's name. For example, there's Lei Fang from the Dead or Alive fighting game series and Lei Wulong from the Tekken fighting game series. These characters are known for their unique fighting styles.
"Lei" as a Name or Place
"Lei" can also be a family name, especially in China. There's even a small town called Lei in Sardinia, Italy.
"LEI" as an Abbreviation
Sometimes, "LEI" is used as a short form for other things. For example, "LEI" is the special code for the airport in Almería, a city in Spain.
See also
In Spanish: Lei para niños
