Singh- means lion

Panj pyare- The beloved five

Because all members of the Khalsa wear the 5 Ks the members of the community are more strongly bound together

Each K has a particular significance

Various reasons and symbolisms have been put forward for the Sikh practice of keeping hair uncut.

• It follows the appearance of Guru Gobind Singh, founder of the Khalsa.

• One's hair is part of God's creation. Keeping hair uncut symbolises that they are 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.

• 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.

• Sikhs often wear a turban to keep it clean. However, the turban is not one of the five Ks.

• 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.

• Sikhs carry around this small single-edged sword to represent their duty to protect their faith and defend those in need.

• It reminds Sikhs to always fight for justice and protect the weak. It must never be used in anger.

• Today, the kirpan is worn for its symbolism, not as an actual weapon. Because of the practical difficulties of wearing a Kirpan, some Sikhs prefer to wear an alternative, such as a pendant in the shape of a kirpan on a neck chain.

  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

• This symbolises a clean mind and body; since it keeps the uncut hair neat and tidy.

• It symbolises 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.

• Sikhs often refer to the kanga removing knots from their hair as a metaphor for how following the teachings of God removes the tangles and difficulties from a person’s life.

• This is a pair of breeches that must not come below the knee.

• The kaccha reminds Sikhs of what the warriors who fought for their faith wore on the battlefield.

• 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.

• It is a circle to symbolise 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.