Wearing Flowers Behind Women's Ears in the Hawaiian Culture (2024)

FAQs

Wearing Flowers Behind Women's Ears in the Hawaiian Culture? ›

In the Hawaiian culture, if you are to wear a flower behind your left ear, you are married and/or unavailable. Wearing a flower on the right side signifies the opposite, that the person in question is single and possibly looking for love. Be sure to wear accordingly!

In Hawaiian culture, a flower behind a woman's right ear indicates that she is single. If the flower is behind her left ear, it indicates that she is engaged, married, or dating. How to easily remember this?

In Hawai'ian culture, the plumeria can be used to symbolize a woman's romantic status when worn in the hair. If the flower is behind a woman's left ear, she is in a relationship. If it is worn behind the right ear, she is willing to meet a romantic partner.

In Hawaiian culture, flowers are often used to convey emotions, express love and respect, and honour gods and ancestors. They are also central to celebrations, such as weddings, graduations, and festivals, where they adorn leis, garlands, and headdresses, adding beauty and significance to the occasion.

In the Hawaiian culture, if you are to wear a flower behind your left ear, you are married and/or unavailable. Wearing a flower on the right side signifies the opposite, that the person in question is single and possibly looking for love. Be sure to wear accordingly!

Traditionally, the plumeria can display a woman's romantic status when worn in the hair. If in a relationship, you place the flower behind the left ear; if you are willing to seek love, you place the flower behind the right ear.

According to Hawaiian tradition, when you place a flower behind your right ear you signal that you are single. When you are in a relationship, you place a flower behind your left ear.

The Hawaiian tradition says married or in a relationship women wear the flower behind the left ear, while single women wear the flower behind the right ear. The most popular flowers wore behind the ear are Plumeria flowers. You can see them on hula dancers as they're part of their costumes.

Common flowers of Hawaiian leis include orchids, plumerias, pikake (jasmine), tuberose, carnations, and the vibrant yellow ilima. For more fragrant options, mokihana berries and maile leaves are sometimes incorporated.

There is, however, meanings of each ear the flower appears on. Women who wear the flower on the right side is signalling that she is single, while a flower on the left means that she's married or in a relationship. Use hair clips or bobby pins to secure the flower in place.

What is the myth of the Hawaiian flower? ›

Princess Naupaka, took a blossom from her hair, ripped it in two and gave Kaui half. Pele's other gentler sisters, took pity on the young man and transformed him into the Mountain Naupaka, the same blossom Princess Naupaka was wearing in her hair.

In Hawaiʻi, plumeria is associated with love, beauty, and romance, but their significance goes beyond physical beauty. It embodies the spirit of Aloha, the core value of love, kindness, and respect that defines Hawaiian culture.

The Hawaiian Honu – Symbol of Wisdom and Good Luck

Thought to live between 60 and 80 years, the Honu is a symbol of longevity, safety, and mana (spiritual energy) in Hawaiian culture and their presence brings good luck and peace.

Hawaiians adopted the hibiscus – in all colors — as their official Territorial flower in the early 1920s however it wasn't until 1988 that the yellow hibiscus, specifically the Hibiscus brackenridgei was selected as Hawaii's state flower.

Hibiscus

Known for their large, showy blooms, there are several species of Hibiscus that are native to Hawaii. The yellow native Hibiscus, (Hibiscus brackenridgei) or 'ma'o hau hele' in the Hawaiian language, is the Hawaii State flower.

The Hawaiian tradition says married or in a relationship women wear the flower behind the left ear, while single women wear the flower behind the right ear. The most popular flowers wore behind the ear are Plumeria flowers. You can see them on hula dancers as they're part of their costumes.

A flower worn behind the right ear means the woman is single, and worn behind the left ear, she is married, not available or taken.

In Hawaiʻi, plumeria is associated with love, beauty, and romance, but their significance goes beyond physical beauty. It embodies the spirit of Aloha, the core value of love, kindness, and respect that defines Hawaiian culture.

lei, a garland or necklace of flowers given in Hawaii as a token of welcome or farewell. Leis are most commonly made of carnations, kika blossoms, ginger blossoms, jasmine blossoms, or orchids and are usually about 18 inches (46 cm) long.