Graduation Lei Colors and Their Meanings: The Complete School Color Guide
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The lei is a symbol of honor, celebration and aloha — and at graduation, its colors do the talking. Choose the right combination and your graduate stands out in photos for the right reasons. Here's what the colors mean, and how to match them to your school.
What Lei Colors Mean at Graduation
| Color | Meaning |
|---|---|
| White | New beginnings, purity, a fresh chapter |
| Gold / Yellow | Achievement, honor, excellence |
| Green | Growth, hope, success ahead |
| Red | Courage, passion, strength |
| Blue | Loyalty, wisdom, trust |
| Maroon / Burgundy | Honor, dignity, tradition |
| Purple | Royalty, ambition, prestige |
The School Color Rule: Match Your Institution
Most graduates choose leis in their school's colors so the whole class reads as one team. The most common pairings we weave are:
- Pink / White — a soft, classic graduation palette
- Green / White / Red — bold and ceremonial
- Orange / White / Blue — vibrant school pride
- Light Blue / White — crisp and clean
- Maroon / White — dignified and traditional
- Blue / Yellow — high-contrast school spirit
Browse ready-to-ship options in our school color leis collection, or shop all styles in the graduation leis collection.
Custom Combinations: Your School, Exact Colors
If your school uses a combination we don't stock (say, teal and silver), we'll weave it to order — any 2–3 color mix on 100% polyester ribbon. You can also add your year, "GRAD" text, or an embroidered patch for the center. See OEM & custom leis for the full customization list, or start with our custom 120cm lei with embroidered patches.
Color Matching Tips for Photos
- Against a black or dark gown, bright ribbons (gold, red, royal blue) photograph best.
- Match the lei to the gown trim or stole for a coordinated look.
- For group shots, one uniform color combo looks stronger than mixed colors.
Planning a class order? Tell us your colors and quantity — we'll send a quote within 24 hours.