The five’s date from the creation of the Khalsa Panth by Guru Gobind Singh Ji in 1699. Adopting these five Ks you would identify members of the Khalsa because all the Khalsa wear 5Ks the member of the community is more strongly bound together. Each K has a particular significance. The 5Ks taken together symbolize that the Sikhs who wear them have dedicated themselves to a life of devotion and submission to the Guru. The 5K’s are physical symbols worn by Sikhs who have been initiated into the Khalsa.

Kesh (Uncut Hair)

 Sikhs refrain from shaving their heads for a variety of reasons. Hair (Kesh) has long been regarded as a symbol of both power and spirituality. Hair belongs to God's creation, including people. One who keeps their hair uncut is willing to receive God's gift in the way that God intended. Uncut hair represents a commitment to a simple lifestyle and a rejection of self-admiration. Not trimming one's hair is a sign of one's desire to transcend bodily worries and achieve spiritual maturity.

A Sikh should never bow down to a barber; only to the Guru. It is a very obvious sign of Khalsa membership and appears after the emergence of the Gurus. Sikh women are equally prohibited. Lifetimes the hair will get very long, and they wear turbans, "Keski" or "Chunni" to keep it tidy. They believe that keeping uncut hair demonstrates their acceptance of the natural state of the human body as given by God. Almost all people you see wearing turbans in the West are Sikhs. For most Sikhs, the kesh and turban (or chunni) are both an integral part of their articles of faith.

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Kangha (Comb)

Sikhs use a little wooden comb called kanga twice a day daily. It must always keep in place in the hair. Combs are a symbol of cleanliness and can be used to tidy up and detangle hair. Sikhs who are combing their hair are reminded that their life should be orderly and tidy. Guru Gobind Singh Ji instructed the Sikhs to always carry kanga, a little comb.

The comb keeps hair tidy a symbol of not just accepting what god has given but also an injunction to maintain it with grace. The guru said hair should be allowed to grow naturally. For men, this includes no shaving. At the time of Guru Gobind Singh Ji some holy men let their hair become tangled and dirty. The guru said that this was not right. Hair should be allowed to grow but it should be kept clean and combed at least twice a day.

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Kara (Iron Bracelet)

Kara serves as a continual reminder that anything one does with their hand must be by the guidance provided by the Guru. The Kara is an iron circle used to represent the endless nature of existence. Kara represents a permanent link in the Khalsa Sikh community.

The Kara is a representation of decency and restraint. It severs as a reminder of a Sikh’s connection to the Guru. It severs as a reminder that a Sikh should never do anything against the Guru's wishes. Additionally being a link in the chain of Khalsa. Sikh represents a permanent relationship with the community and the idea that God has no beginning or end.

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Kirpan (Sword)

Kirpan represents a Sikh’s obligation to protect others who are in danger. Similar to how a police officer is required to carry a public defense weapon while on duty all Sikhs are supposed to carry a Kirpan as a defensive sidearm at all times. It can only be used for self-defense and other people's protection. It is a symbol of bravery and defense of the defenseless.

This decree was principally indented to guarantee and protect the universal right of all beings to exist in peace and security to preserve a condition of harmony and safety to allow for to free growth of trade craftsmanship the arts and literature and to protect the weak from tyranny and enslavement.

The word Kirpan has two roots the first root is Kirpa which means Mercy, Grace, Compassion, and kindness, and the second root is Aan which in turn means the dignity and honor of compassion kindness, and mercy.

 In modern times there has been debate about allowing Sikhs to carry a Kirpan that falls under prohibitions on bladed weapons, with some countries allowing Sikhs a dispensation. In keeping with foreign laws, some Sikhs wear shortened Kirpans which are at least 6 inches in length. Sikhs in the Punjab are expected to wear full-sized Kirpans wherever practical as mandated by Guru Gobind Singh.

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Kachera (Cotton Underwear)

The Kachera (sometimes spelled Kaccha) was originally included in the list of the five Ks as a representation of a Sikh soldier's readiness for combat or self-defense at any time. In combat, it was to move around swiftly. Every day, the verified Sikh (those who have received the Amrit) wears a Kachera. Some people even go so far as to wear a Kachera while bathing so that they can change into a new leg at a time and be ready at a moment's notice.

Furthermore, because it was simpler to make, maintain, wash, and transport than other traditional undergarments of the time, such as the dhoti, this garment permitted the Sikh soldier to move freely and without any hindrance or limitation during combat. The Kachera represents self-respect and constantly serves as a reminder to the wearer to exercise mental restraint when lust one of the five evils is present.

Kachera often has a functional and spacious design. It has an integrated thread that rings the waist and may be adjusted for tightness or looseness before being tied safely. Given that it looks like shorts and does not expose any private anatomy, the Kachera can be classified as both underwear and an outside garment.

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