Traditional Hawaiian Wedding Vows
Little is known about truly ancient Hawaiian wedding traditions. However, through the centuries, Hawaiian customs have been woven together into what is now recognized as a traditional Hawaiian wedding.
Other People Are Reading
-
History
-
"Ho'ao pa'a" means "to stay until the dawn." There was no written language in old Hawaii, so few specifics are known about ancient marriage vows. The lasting relationship of marriage between a man and woman was called "ho'ao pa'a," literally meaning "to stay until the dawn."
Nature
-
May love be as deep as the ocean. Hawaiian wedding vows often include references to nature. The ever-changing, deep ocean is compared to the couple's love; the circle of the rings is symbolic of the sun, the earth and the heavens.
-
Aloha
-
Aloha isn't just a warm greeting; it also means love. The word features heavily in traditional Hawaiian wedding vows, as the bride and groom vow to expand their aloha through the rest of their lives together.
Bride and Groom Lei Exchange
-
The gift of a lei signifies mutual love and respect. Before the vows are spoken, the bride and groom often exchange leis--Hawaiian necklaces made of flowers strung together. The couple vow to let the fragrance of the lei linger in their hearts as a reminder of the sweetness of true love.
Family Lei Exchange
-
Because of the importance of extended family in Hawaiian culture, family members often exchange leis, vowing to honor the marriage and to welcome new relatives into the family.
-
References
Resources
- Photo Credit wedding image by Mat Hayward from Fotolia.com Sunset Summer Island image by Juergen Rudorf from Fotolia.com Hawaii Seashore image by sfm1 from Fotolia.com hawaiian necklace image by IKO from Fotolia.com
