The khanda-the Sikh symbol

What is a Sikh?

The word 'Sikh' in the Punjabi language means 'disciple', Sikhs are the disciples of God who follow the writings and teachings of the Ten Sikh Gurus. The wisdom of these teachings in Sri Guru Granth Sahib are practical and universal in their appeal to all mankind.

"Any human being who faithfully believes in: 

(i) One Immortal Being, 

(ii) Ten Gurus, from Guru Nanak to Guru Gobind Singh, 

(iii) The Guru Granth Sahib, 

(iv) The utterances and teachings of the ten Gurus and, 

(v) the baptism bequeathed by the tenth Guru, and who does not owe allegiance to any other religion is a Sikh." 

The khanda-the Sikh symbol

The khanda is the main Sikh symbol. It is composed of four items, all traditional sikh weapons:

·        A vertical double edged sword with a broad blade, also called a khanda.       

·        Two curved swords, called kirpans. They are called miri and piri, after the names given to his personal kirpans by guru hargobind.

·        A ring called a chakker (aka chakram). It is a very effective weapon, with a range of up to 50 meters (165 feet). This has been popularized in North America by the television series Xena the Warrior Princess.

The khanda has been interpreted symbolically in many ways. One is:

“ The Sikh emblem, khanda, contains a ring of steel representing the unity of God, a two edged sword symbolizing God’s concern for truth and justice, and two crossed swords curved around the outside to signify God’s spiritual power.”

-By Swetha