Lesson plan
Five Ks
In Sikhism, the Five Ks ( , , ) are five items that Guru Gobind Singh, in 1699, commanded Khalsa Sikhs to wear at all times. They are: kesh ( , , uncut hair and beard), kangha ( , , a comb for the kesh, usually wood), kara ( , , a bracelet, usually made of iron or steel as gold or silver would cost too much money), kachhera ( , , an undergarment), and kirpan ( , , a small curved sword or knife made of iron or steel). In Punjabi, they are known as the Panj Kakkar or Panj Kakke. 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'), a Sikh who has not taken Amrit but follows the teachings of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib is called a Sahajdhari Sikh.
Article summary
In Sikhism, the Five Ks ( , , ) are five items that Guru Gobind Singh, in 1699, commanded Khalsa Sikhs to wear at all times. They are: kesh ( , , uncut hair and beard), kangha ( , , a comb for the kesh, usually wood), kara ( , , a bracelet, usually made of iron or steel as gold or silver would cost too much money), kachhera ( , , an undergarment), and kirpan ( , , a small curved sword or knife made of iron or steel). In Punjabi, they are known as the Panj Kakkar or Panj Kakke. 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'), a Sikh who has not taken Amrit but follows the teachings of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib is called a Sahajdhari Sikh.
Key claims
No claims recorded.
Discussion questions
- Summarise the article in your own words. Which single claim would you verify first, and why?
- Which claim in this article is most likely to be revised as the sources update? How would you check its current status?
- If two sources disagreed about one of these facts, what would you need in order to trust one over the other?
Bibliography
No sources recorded.
Key claims and bibliography are generated from the same tracked claims and sources as the article page.