In Hawaiian culture, wearing a flower behind the right ear traditionally signals that a person is single and available, while wearing it behind the left ear indicates they are taken.
The Secret Language of Hawaiian Flower Placement
Next time you're handed a fragrant plumeria or hibiscus flower in Hawaii, pause before tucking it behind your ear. You might be sending a message you didn't intend.
This charming tradition has been part of Hawaiian culture for generations, turning a simple flower into a subtle form of communication. Wear it behind your right ear, and you're announcing you're single and open to meeting someone. Tuck it behind your left ear, and you're signaling that your heart already belongs to someone else.
Left Is Taken, Right Is Looking
The easiest way to remember? Your heart is on your left side. So wearing the flower on your left means your heart is spoken for. Simple, romantic, and surprisingly practical for a culture that values both beauty and meaning.
This isn't just tourist folklore either. Many local Hawaiians still observe the tradition, especially at cultural events, luaus, and celebrations. It's a way of honoring the past while keeping romance playfully alive.
More Than Just Decoration
Flowers hold deep significance in Hawaiian culture. The lei, perhaps the most famous Hawaiian tradition, represents love, friendship, celebration, and honor. Giving someone a lei is an act of aloha—the Hawaiian concept of love, peace, and compassion that goes far deeper than its casual use in tourist marketing.
The flowers themselves carry meaning too:
- Plumeria — The classic Hawaiian flower, symbolizing positivity, new beginnings, and springtime
- Hibiscus — The state flower, representing delicate beauty and the fleeting nature of fame
- Orchid — Symbolizing refinement, luxury, and rare beauty
- Pikake — Jasmine, associated with romance and often worn by brides
A Tradition With Staying Power
In an age of dating apps and social media relationship statuses, there's something refreshingly analog about this custom. No profile to update, no status to change—just a flower behind your ear and a willingness to let nature do the talking.
Visitors often adopt the tradition enthusiastically, sometimes without knowing the rules. This leads to amusing moments when someone unknowingly broadcasts their relationship status to an entire beach. Locals generally find it endearing rather than offensive—after all, the spirit of aloha means welcoming everyone into the culture.
Whether you're single, taken, or just appreciate a beautiful flower, the tradition adds a layer of meaning to an already lovely custom. It's a reminder that in Hawaii, even the smallest gestures can carry profound significance.
So next time you're in the islands and someone offers you a flower, you'll know exactly what you're saying when you decide which ear to wear it on. Choose wisely.