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The Five K's, or panj kakaar/kakke, are five items of faith that baptised Khalsa Sikhs wear at all times at the command of the tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh who so ordered at the Baisakhi Amrit Sanchar in 1699. The Five K's are not symbols but Articles of Faith which collectively form the external identity and the Khalsa devotee's commitment to the Sikh Rehni (Way of life) as ordained by the Tenth Nanak, Guru Gobind Singh Sahib. The Khalsa Sikhs who don all the Five K's are known as Amritdhari (as they have participated in the Amrit Sanchar ceremony), while the Sikhs who have not donned all the Five K's are known as Sahajdhari.
[edit] The five items
1. Kesh Uncut hair - Sikhs belive that hair is a gift from God, therefore it remains uncut. 2. Kanga Wooden comb - The wooden comb is used not for combing the hair but for keeping it in place under the turban. 3. Kara Iron bracelet - The iron bracelet serves as a reminder for Sikhs to follow the morals of their faith. 4. Kachera Specially designed cotton underwear - The cotton underwear is a practical design for when Sikhs were in defensive combat against the invading Mughal forces, and is generally very roomy in design. It features an embedded string that circles the waist, that can be tightened/loosened as desired, and then knotted securely. The Kachera can be classed between underwear and an outerwear garment (this case usually only applies to men), as in appearance it does not reveal private anatomy, and looks and wears like shorts. Considering the hot climate in India, where Sikhism was formed and still constitutes a considerable part of the population, the Kachera was, and is still often worn as an outer garment, keeping the wearer cool, and being practical in farming work, etc. It is generally not considered self-respectful for women to wear the Kachera as an outer garment (on its own) as it reveals their legs above the knees, and as such it can be considered analogous to society's view of over exposure of a miniskirt, which is generally considered too revealing. As with all of the 5 K's, and Sikhism in general, there is equality between men and women, and so there is no restriction for only men be allowed to wear the Kachera, and so women are allowed, and expected to wear it too. The Kachera stands for self-respect, and always reminds the wearer of mental control over lust, one of the five fundamental evils as per Sikh philosophy. 5. Kirpan Strapped sword - This small sword is a defensive sidearm with its use only allowed in the act of self defense and the protection of others. As such, it stands for showing bravery and protecting the weak and innocent. Sikhs carry this beside their waist and are expected to wear it at all times, just as a police officer is expected to wear a public-defensive weapon when on duty. The Kirpan serves as a symbol for the the safety of all and the carriers' personal duties and responsibility as Sikhs in the message of peace.
A Sikh never cuts or trims any hair (Kesh), to indicate the perfection of God's creation. The comb keeps the hair tidy, a symbol of not just accepting what God has given, but also an injunction to maintain it with grace. The Guru said hair should be allowed to grow naturally. For men, this includes not shaving. At the time of Guru Gobind Singh, some holy men let their hair become tangled and dirty. The Guru said that this was not right. Hair should be allowed to grow but it should be kept clean and combed at least twice a day. A Dastaar is a turban worn to protect the Kesh (unshorn hair) and guard the Dasam Duaar (the Tenth Gate), a spiritual opening at the top of the head. The turban is a spiritual crown, which is a constant reminder to the Sikh that he or she is sitting on the throne of consciousness and is committed to living according to Sikh principles. It is the identity of a Sikh. Guru Gobind Singh jee told his Sikhs: "Khaalsa mero roop hai kaas. Khaalsa mai ho karo nivaas... The Khalsa is my image. Within the Khalsa I reside." Wearing a turban declares sovereignty, dedication, self-respect, courage and piety. [edit] KangaMain article: Kanga (Sikhism) 
A Kanga is a small wooden comb that Sikhs use twice a day. It should be worn in the hair, and only the hair, at all times. Combs help to clean hair and remove tangles from it, as well as being a symbol of cleanliness to the Sikhs. Combing their hair reminds them that their lives should be tidy and organized, too. The Sikhs were commanded by Guru Gobind Singh to wear a small comb called the Kanga at all times. [edit] KacheraMain article: Kaccha 
Originally, the Kachera was made part of the five K's as a symbol of a Sikh soldier's willingess to be ready at a moment's notice for battle or for defense. The confirmed Sikh (one who has taken the Amrit) wears a kachera everyday. Some go to the extent of wearing a kachera while bathing, to be ready to at a moment's notice, changing into the new one leg at a time, so as to have no moment where they are unprepared. Further, this garment allowed the Sikh soldier to operate in combat freely and without any hindrance or restriction, because it was easy to fabricate, maintain, wash and carry compared to other traditional under-garments of that era, like the dhoti. The Kachera is the Guru's gift and it reminds the Sikhs of the Guru's message regarding the control of the Five Evils. It may also serve as a reminder for sikhs to remain Jati (avoiding relations with women other than your own wife). [edit] KirpanMain article: Kirpan 
The Kirpan is an dull, short instrument which symbolizes a Sikh's duty to come to the defense of those in peril. All baptised Sikhs should wear a short form of Kirpan (approx. 6" to 9" long) on their body. Originally, the kirpan was a sharp dagger which was actually used to defend those who were being forcibly converted by Mogul rulers, women who were raped in the streets, a person who was being robbed or beaten, etc. The true Sikh cannot turn a blind eye to such evils, thinking that they are "someone else's concern." So today, it is the duty of the true Sikh to help those who suffer unjustly, by whatever means available, whether that means alerting the police, summoning help, or literally defending those who cannot defend themselves, even if that means putting yourself in harm's way. [edit] KaraThe Sikhs were commanded by Guru Gobind Singh at the Baisakhi Amrit Sanchar in 1699 to wear a steel slave bangle called a Kara at all times. This was one of five articles of faith, collectively called Kakars that form the external visible symbols to clearly and outwardly display ones commitment and dedication to the order (Hukam) of the tenth master and become a member of Khalsa. The Kara is to constantly remind the Sikh to always remember that whatever he or she does with their hands has to be in keeping with the advice given by the Guru. [edit] KesThe Kes or unshorn long hair is an indispensable part of the human body as created by Waheguru that is the mainstay of the 'Jivan Jaach' and the Rehni that was prescribed by Guru Gobind Singh Sahib by which a Sikh is clearly and quickly identified, Kes. The uncut long head hair and the beard in the case of men forms the main kakar for the Sikhs. [edit] See also
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