5 Ks of Sikhism

Week 9 Discussion for World Religions – REL212

“5 Ks of Sikhism” Please respond to the following:

•Identify the 5 Ks of Sikhism, and explain which one intrigues you the most.

The five Ks are:

Kesh (uncut hair)

Various reasons and symbolisms have been put forward for the Sikh practice of keeping hair uncut. Throughout history hair (kesh) has been regarded as a symbol both of holiness and strength. One’s hair is part of God’s creation. Keeping hair uncut indicates that one is willing to accept God’s gift as God intended it. Uncut hair symbolizes adoption of a simple life, and denial of pride in one’s appearance. Not cutting one’s hair is a symbol of one’s wish to move beyond concerns of the body and attain spiritual maturity. A Sikh should only bow his head to the Guru, and not to a barber. It is a highly visible symbol of membership of the group. It follows the appearance of Guru Gobind Singh, founder of the Khalsa. Sikh women are just as forbidden to cut any body hair or even trim their eyebrows, as Sikh men are forbidden to trim their beards.

Kara (a steel bracelet)

A symbol of restraint and gentility. A symbol that a Sikh is linked to the Guru. It acts as a reminder that a Sikh should not do anything of which the Guru would not approve. A symbol of God having no beginning or end. A symbol of permanent bonding to the community-being a link in the chain of Khalsa Sikhs (the word for link is ‘kari’). The Kara is made of steel, rather than gold or silver, because it is not an ornament.

Kanga (a wooden comb)

This symbolizes a clean mind and body; since it keeps the uncut hair neat and tidy. It symbolizes the importance of looking after the body which God has created. This does not conflict with the Sikh’s aim to move beyond bodily concerns; since the body is one’s vehicle for enlightenment one should care for it appropriately

Kaccha – also spelt, Kachh, Kachera (cotton underwear)

This is a pair of breeches that must not come below the knee. It was a particularly useful garment for Sikh warriors of the 18th and 19th centuries, being very suitable for warfare when riding a horse. It’s a symbol of chastity. There is no fixed style of Kirpan, the ceremonial sword

Kirpan (steel sword)

There is no fixed style of Kirpan and it can be anything from a few inches to three feet long. It is kept in a sheath and can be worn over or under clothing.

The Kirpan can symbolise:

•Spirituality

•The soldier part of the Soldier-Saints

•Defence of good

•Defence of the weak

•The struggle against injustice

•A metaphor for God

Kirpan intrigues me the most. The other four are things that a person does for themselves while Kirpan has another aspect as it is something that the Sikh does for another. It is up to that Sikh to defend those that cannot defend themselves. In addition to the sword’s other personal meanings. It’s not every person who is willing to help out another in need. Most people run away from a burning building it takes a special person to run in. For example in NYC in the 1960s there was a woman whose murder was witnessed by 37 people and none of them called 9-1-1 because everyone else assumed someone else was doing it. So Kirpan to me is the most intriguing to me because in my experience most people would rather hope someone else is taking care of the issue instead of getting involved themselves.

Fisher, M. P. (2014). Living religions (9th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.

http://www.mrsikhnet.com/2010/03/18/experiencing-my-new-kirpan/

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