The Five Ks - wikipedia The Five Ks `` Five K '' can also refer to a five - kilometer distance in long - distance running or other sports. This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. ( April 2015 ) Part of a series on Sikh practices and discipline Five Banis Five Ks Five Thieves Five Virtues Simran Sewa Three pillars Sikh Rehat Maryada Amrit Velā Kanga, Kara and Kirpan -- three of the five Ks In Sikhism, the Five Ks ( Punjabi : ਪੰਜ ਕਕਾਰ Pañj Kakār ) are five items that Guru Gobind Singh commanded Khalsa Sikhs to wear at all times in 1699. They are : Kesh ( uncut hair ), Kangha ( a wooden comb for the hair ), Kara ( an iron bracelet ), Kachera ( 100 % cotton tieable undergarment ( not an elastic one ) ) and Kirpan ( an iron dagger large enough to defend yourself ). The Five Ks are not just symbols, but articles of faith that collectively form the external identity and the Khalsa devotee 's commitment to the Sikh rehni `` Sikh way of life ''. A Sikh who has taken Amrit and keeps all five Ks is known as Khalsa ( `` pure '' ) or Amritdhari Sikh ( `` Amrit Sanskar participant '' ), while a Sikh who has not taken Amrit but follows the teachings of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib is called a Sahajdhari Sikh. Contents 1 Kesh 2 Kangha 3 Kara 4 Kachera 5 Kirpan 6 See also 7 References 8 External links Kesh Main article : Kesh The Kesh, or uncut, long hair, is considered by Sikhs as an indispensable part of the human body. Long known as a sign of spiritual devotion, it also emulates the appearance of Guru Gobind Singh and is one of the primary signs by which a Sikh can be clearly and quickly identified. A Sikh never cuts or trims any hair as a symbol of respect for the perfection of God 's creation. The uncut long hair and the beard, in the case of men, form the main kakār for Sikhs. The turban is a spiritual crown, which is a constant reminder to the Sikh that they are sitting on the throne of consciousness and is committed to living according to Sikh principles. Guru Gobind Singh told his Sikhs : `` Khaalsa mero roop hai khaas. 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. A noted figure in Sikh history is Bhai Taru Singh, who was martyred when he refused to get his Kesh cut. Kangha Main article : Kangha Kangha -- one of the five articles of faith for the Sikhs Comb the hair twice a day, covering it with turban that is to be tied from fresh. -- Tankhanama Bhai Nand Lal Singh A Kangha is a small wooden comb that Sikhs use twice a day. It is supposed to be worn only in the hair and at all times. Combs help to clean and remove tangles from the hair, and is a symbol of cleanliness. Combing their hair reminds Sikhs that their lives should be tidy and organized. 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 Gobind Singh said hair should be allowed to grow naturally ; this excludes any shaving for both men and women. In the Guru 's time, some holy men let their hair become tangled and dirty. The Guru said that this was not right ; that hair should be allowed to grow but it should be kept clean and combed at least twice a day. Kara Main article : Kara Kara -- one of the five articles of faith for the Sikhs The Sikhs were commanded by Guru Gobind Singh at the Baisakhi Amrit Sanchar in 1699 to wear an iron bracelet called a Kara at all times. The Kara is a constant reminder to always remember that whatever a person does with their hands has to be in keeping with the advice given by the Guru. The Kara is an iron / steel circle to symbolise God as never ending. It is a symbol of permanent bonding to the community, of being a link in the chain of Khalsa Sikhs ( the word for link is `` kari '' ). Kachera Main article : Kachera ਸੀਲ ਜਤ ਕੀ ਕਛ ਪਹਿਰਿ ਪਕਿੜਓ ਹਿਥਆਰਾ ॥ The sign of true chastity is the Kachera, you must wear this and hold weapons in hand. -- Bhai Gurdas Singh, Var. 41, pauri 15 Originally, the Kachmemeosera was made part of the five Ks as a symbol of a Sikh soldier 's willingness to be ready at a moment 's notice for battle or for defence. The confirmed Sikh ( one who has taken the Amrit ) wears a Kachera every day. Some go to the extent of wearing a Kacheraye while bathing, to be ready to at a moment 's notice, changing into the new one a single 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 symbolises self - respect, and always reminds the wearer of mental control over lust, one of the Five Evils in Sikh philosophy. Kachenarsra follow a generally practical and roomy design. It features an embedded string that circles the waist which can be tightened / loosened as desired, and then knotted securely. The Kachera can be classed between underwear and an outer garment, as in appearance it does not reveal private anatomy, and looks and wears like shorts. As with all of the Five Ks, there is equality between men and women, and so women are also expected to wear it. Considering the hot climate in India, the Kachera is often worn by men as an outer garment, keeping the wearer cool and being practical in manual work such as farming, however it is generally not considered respectful for women to wear the Kachera as an outer garment ( on its own ) as it is considered too revealing. Kirpan Main article : Kirpan Typical Kirpan worn by modern Sikhs ਸ਼ਸਤਰ ਹੀਨ ਕਬਹੂ ਨਹਿ ਹੋਈ, ਰਿਹਤਵੰਤ ਖਾਲਸਾ ਸੋਈ ॥ Those who never depart his / her arms, they are the Khalsa with excellent rehats. -- Rehatnama Bhai Desa Singh The Kirpan is a dagger which symbolizes a Sikh 's duty to come to the defence of those in peril. All Sikhs should wear kirpan on their body at all times as a defensive side - arm, just as a police officer is expected to wear a side - arm when on duty. Its use is only allowed in the act of self - defense and the protection of others. It stands for bravery and protecting the weak and innocent. The kirpan is kept sharp and is actually used to defend others, such as those who are oppressed by harsh rulers, women who are raped in the streets, or a person who was being robbed or beaten. The true Sikh can not turn a blind eye to such evils, thinking that they are `` someone else 's concern. '' 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 can not defend themselves, even if that means putting oneself in harm 's way. See also Sikhism Amrit Sanchar -- baptism ceremony Vaisakhi Khalsa and Sahajdhari Gursikh Amritdhari References Jump up ^ `` The Five K 's ''. Retrieved October 9, 2012. Jump up ^ `` The Five Ks ''. bbc.co.uk. Retrieved October 9, 2012. Jump up ^ As Khalsa, Wearing the Five K 's ; Posted March 30, 2016 by Sikh Dharma International Jump up ^ Singh, Harjinder ( 2015 ). Sikh Code of Conduct. English : Akaal Publishers ; 4th Revised edition. p. 26. ISBN 0955458749. External links The Five Sikh Symbols -- SikhismGuide.org The Sikh Symbols -- eBook The Sikh Bangle ( Kara ) -- eBook http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17448727.2014.882181 The Five Ks in Sikhism Kesh ( uncut hair ) Kanga ( comb ) Kara ( bracelet ) Kaccha ( undergarments ) Kirpan ( ceremonial dagger ) Sikh topics Gurus Guru Nanak Guru Angad Guru Amar Das Guru Ram Das Guru Arjan Guru Hargobind Guru Har Rai Guru Har Krishan Guru Tegh Bahadur Guru Gobind Singh Guru Granth Sahib ( Sikh holy book ) Philosophy Beliefs and principles Guru Maneyo Granth Sikh Rehat Maryada Prohibitions Cannabis and Sikhism Diet in Sikhism Practices Khalsa Ardās Kirtan Langar Naam Karan Anand Karaj Amrit Sanchar Amrit Velā Antam Sanskar Three Pillars Kirat Karo Naam Japo Vand Chhako Sikh practices The Five Ks Simran Sewa Charhdi Kala Dasvand Jhatka Scripture Guru Granth Sahib Adi Granth Dasam Granth Gurbani Mul Mantar Japji Sahib Chaupai Jaap Sahib Rehras Sukhmani Sahib Tav - Prasad Savaiye By country Australia Afghanistan Belgium Canada Vancouver Fiji France Germany India Indonesia Iraq Italy Malaysia Nepal Netherlands New Zealand Pakistan Singapore Switzerland Thailand United Arab Emirates United Kingdom United States Other topics History Gurmukhi alphabet Ik Onkar Waheguru Khanda Gurdwara ( Harmandir Sahib ) Panj Pyare Literature Music Names Places Politics Nanakshahi calendar Ramananda Fariduddin Ganjshakar Kabir History of the Punjab Sardar Dastar Islam Jainism Hinduism Sikh Empire Mela Maghi Maghi Vaisakhi Hola Mohalla Sikhs Women in Sikhism Sikhism and sexual orientation Idolatry in Sikhism Criticism Punjab region Punjabi people Punjabi language ( Gurmukhī ) Takht Akal Takht Damdama Sahib Kesgarh Sahib Hazur Sahib Patna Sahib Sikhism portal ☬ Guru Gobind Singh ☬ Family Guru Tegh Bahadur, Mata Gujri Mata Jito, Mata Sundari, Mata Sahib Kaur Jujhar Singh, Zorawar Singh, Fateh Singh, Ajit Singh The Leader Khalsa Panj Pyare Guru Maneyo Granth The Five Ks The Soldier Battle of Bhangani, ( 1688 ) Battle of Nadaun, ( 1687 ) Battle of Guler ( 1696 ), First Battle of Anandpur, ( 1700 ) Battle of Anandpur Sahib ( 1701 ), Battle of Nirmohgarh ( 1702 ), Battle of Basoli ( 1702 ) Battle of Anandpur ( 1704 ) Battle of Chamkaur ( 1704 ) Battle of Bichhora Sahib, Battle of Muktsar. The Saint Dasam Granth Jaap Sahib Akal Ustat Bachitar Natak Chandi Charitar Ukat ( i ) Bilas Chandi Charitar 2 Chandi di Var Gyan Parbodh Chobis Avatar Brahm Avtar Rudar Avtar Sabad patshahi 10 33 Swaiyey Khalsa Mahima Shastar Nam Mala Charitropakhyan Zafarnamah Hikayats Associates Banda Bahadur Mata Bhag Kaur Bhai Kanhaiya Bhai Mani Singh Bhai Nand Lal Pir Budhu Shah Opponents Aurangzeb, Wazir Khan Jamshed Khan and Wasil Beg Places Patna Anandpur Sahib Muktsar Sahib Chamkaur List of places named after Guru Gobind Singh Gurudwaras Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib Takht Sri Hazur Sahib Takht Sri Patna Sahib Nada Sahib Sikhism portal Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Five_Ks&oldid=841213390 '' Categories : Sikh practices Sikh religious clothing Hidden categories : Articles needing additional references from April 2015 All articles needing additional references Articles containing Punjabi - language text All articles with unsourced statements Articles with unsourced statements from October 2011 Talk Contents About Wikipedia Català Deutsch فارسی Français हिन्दी Bahasa Indonesia Italiano മലയാളം Norsk nynorsk ਪੰਜਾਬੀ پنجابی Polski Português Українська اردو 6 more Edit links This page was last edited on 14 May 2018, at 16 : 46. 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Question: what is the 5 k's of sikhism
Answer: Kesh (uncut hair)