page_title: Kirpan
hierarchical_section_title: Kirpan
caption_attribution_description: Kirpan
context_page_description: The kirpan is a sword or a dagger of any size and shape, carried by Sikhs. It is also part of a religious commandment given by Guru Gobind Singh in 1699, in which he gave an option to the Sikhs, if they accepted they must wear the five articles of faith at all times, the kirpan being one of five Ks.
  The Punjabi word kirpan has two roots: kirpa, meaning "mercy", "grace", "compassion" or "kindness"; and aanaa, meaning "honor", "grace" or "dignity".
  Sikhs are expected to embody the qualities of a Sant Sipahi or "saint-soldier" with the courage to defend the rights of all who are wrongfully oppressed or persecuted irrespective of their colour, caste, or creed.
  Kirpans are curved and have a single cutting edge that may be either blunt or sharp. They are any size and a baptised Sikh may carry more than one, the Kirpans must be made of steel or iron.
context_section_description: The kirpan is a sword or a dagger of any size and shape, carried by Sikhs. It is also part of a religious commandment given by Guru Gobind Singh in 1699, in which he gave an option to the Sikhs, if they accepted they must wear the five articles of faith (the five Ks) at all times, the kirpan being one of five Ks.
  The Punjabi word kirpan has two roots: kirpa, meaning "mercy", "grace", "compassion" or "kindness"; and aanaa, meaning "honor", "grace" or "dignity".
  Sikhs are expected to embody the qualities of a Sant Sipahi or "saint-soldier" with the courage to defend the rights of all who are wrongfully oppressed or persecuted irrespective of their colour, caste, or creed.
  Kirpans are curved and have a single cutting edge that may be either blunt or sharp. They are any size and a baptised Sikh may carry more than one, the Kirpans must be made of steel or iron.
caption: A Kirpan (top) and its sheath
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