The kirpan is a ceremonial sword worn by devout Sikhs as part of the Five Ks. It symbolizes the duty to protect and act with virtue, but is often misunderstood as a weapon. Sikhs face legal and social difficulties due to their obligation to wear it, but some communities allow the wearing of blunt kirpans to satisfy religious imperatives and local gun laws.
A kirpan is a ceremonial sword carried by all devout members of the Sikh religion. Many Sikhs compare the symbolism of the kirpan to that of the Christian cross, emphasizing the fact that it represents an ideal, rather than actually serving as a weapon. Wearing the kirpan is a constant reminder that Sikhs have a duty to protect people, fight for justice, and act with virtue. Because the kirpan is perceived as a functional weapon by people outside the Sikh community, Sikhs sometimes face legal or social difficulties due to their obligation to wear the kirpan.
Baptized Sikhs are obligated to wear five garments at all times, known as the “Five Ks”. In addition to the kirpan, the Five Ks include: the kachera, a pair of comfortable cotton shorts; the kara, bracelet in steel or iron; the kangha, a wooden comb for hair; and kesh, or unshorn hair. According to religious tradition, the mandate to wear the Five Ks was given to the prophet Guru Gobind Singh in 1699. Like the kara, the kirpan is classically made of iron.
The kirpan is worn tied to a belt known as a gatra and the wearer is specifically forbidden from using the blade in anger or malice. However, Sikhs were traditionally expected to design their kirpans to defend the defenseless or to help those in need. This was an important part of the holy warrior ethos of the Sikh community, with many Sikh men training in martial arts to learn how to effectively defend others against attack.
For a Sikh, the kirpan is a very important religious symbol. Removing the kirpan is not allowed, and is also emotionally traumatic, because the blade is an important part of the wearer’s religious identity. Most Sikhs wear kirpans under their clothing, so bystanders are generally unaware that a blade is being worn. The kirpan is typically tied tightly to the belt with which it is worn, and can be worn in a variety of places, depending on the wearer’s needs.
Unfortunately for Sikhs, people outside the Sikh community view the kirpan as a potentially dangerous weapon. Sikhs are asked to remove their kirpans before boarding planes, for example, and are sometimes banned in schools and other public places, despite protests from the Sikh community. In a desire to satisfy the religious imperative of wearing the kirpan, some communities have specifically allowed the wearing of blunt kirpans, allowing Sikhs to retain this religious symbol while also satisfying local gun laws.
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