What Are the Five K's?

Kakars, the Five Required Articles of Sikh Faith

Kachhera is a loose undergarment worn by Sikhs. Historically, Sikhs are warriors. The kachhera is designed for ease of movement while maintaining modesty, whether sitting cross-legged for worship, or engaging in martial arts allowing for agility in battle or horseback.

The Kanga is a wooden comb. It comes in a variety of sizes. Some have short fine teeth and others long wide teeth. Sikhs do not cut their hair. In the days before shampoo, Sikhs cleansed their hair using water and oil. The traditional practice of using oil to continues in modern times and helps prevent snarling of the tresses and nourishes the scalp. A large kanga removes tangles easily. A small fine toothed kanga is useful for cleaning and maintaining healthy hair free of dandruff and parasites. Sikhs comb their hair in the morning before tying a turban, and generally at the end of the day, before sleeping.

A kara is an iron or steel ring worn on the wrist of the right arm. Traditionally a kara served as a protective wrist guard during battle when fighting with swords. The kara also serves as a visible reminder of the bond between the Sikh and Guru.

Kes means hair and refers to the hair growing from the scalp. For the initiated Sikh kes includes all facial and body hair. Kes is to be kept completely intact. This means that a Sikh never cuts, removes, or alters any hair or the head face or body. Hair grows to a particular length depending on the genetic code of an individual. Sikhs honor this physical process as the intent of the creator. Many Sikhs testify that kes has a spiritual significance during meditation and worship.

A kirpan is a ceremonial short sword worn by an initiated Sikh. It represents the ideal of the Sikh warrior to defend the weak from tyranny, injustice, and forced conversion. Historically the kirpan would have been a weapon used in battle. The significance of the kirpan extends to a personal battle fought with ego and is a reminder to be vigilant against the rise of anger, attachment, greed, lust, and pride. A kirpan is touched to prashad, and to langar, before either are consumed, to bless and symbolically impart the strength steel of steel to worshipers.