Many people choose the beautiful, lush islands of Hawaii as the site of their wedding, and this has made Hawaiian wedding and anniversary traditions sought after by couples who get married elsewhere. One of these beloved traditions is to give a lei as a part of your anniversary celebration. This anniversary gift is a symbol of your feelings for your spouse as well as a token of love. The shape of the lei, it’s fragrant smell and the traditions behind it all make leis the perfect gift for an anniversary. It can make every anniversary sweeter and more meaningful.
The Lei’s Symbolism
Most leis have a circular shape. This shape is a symbol of eternity, much like the circular shape of the wedding band. The lei, with its woven nature, creates a cohesive look that is a symbol of both parties coming together in marriage. The lei has used different pieces woven together to create one cohesive garland, and this is much like the couple weaving their lives together to create a single life together.
One person can give a lei to the couple for their anniversary, or the couple can give leis to each other in celebration. Anniversary leis can be matching ones to show how similar and bonded the couple is, or each lei can be a different one as a symbol of the couple’s feminine and masculine aspects.
Anniversary Leis Made From Flowers and Leaves
There are a wide variety of leis that are great for anniversaries. Many people give anniversary leis made from traditional flowers that have deep meaning to Hawaiians. The carnation symbolizes love, and it is a thoughtful and meaningful anniversary gift for this reason. Red, pink or white carnations are generally used in anniversary leis.
The ginger flower is another common flower used in these leis. Ginger flowers in both white and yellow look romantic and have a sweet scent that have made them popular in anniversary leis. Ginger flowers are symbols of good luck and longevity, so they are a meaningful flower for wishing both of these things to your spouse on your anniversary.
Some couples choose to give the wife a floral, fragrant lei while the husband is given a lei made from greenery for a masculine look. For a man, a perfect anniversary gift is a green, ti-leaf lei. The ti-leaf lei has a long tradition as a masculine symbol that conveys admiration and respect. With these large, full leaves, the ti-leaf lei has a lush look that makes a great gift for a man. There are so many varieties of lei available that any couple can find just the right leis that will provide the look, feel and scent they want for their anniversary leis.