A Sikh is expected and supposed to take Amrit sooner or later in his life. By doing so he is committing himself to the path of the Khalsa and to give up his considerations for himself. Hence a Sikh has to be ready to make such a strong and irreversible commitment – in some ways just like a marriage. He should not be baptised before he is ready to commit himself to the path and its discipline. Hence children do not receive a traditional baptism. Initiation The Khalsa baptism ceremony is also known as taking Amrit, because a central feature is that the one to be baptised will drink Amrit – water with sugar stirred with a Kirpan (dagger). Present are Guru Granth Sahib and six baptised Sikhs – one to sit by Guru Grant Sahib and five chosen to represent the Dear Five. Sikh men as well as women can perform these roles. The principles of Sikhism are explained to the one taking Amrit by one of the Dear Five and the one taking Amrit must confirm that he understands them. Furthermore he is told to recitate five specific hymns every day. He is supposed to know or learn Gurmukhi (Punjabi alphabet/writing). Men get the surname or middle name Singh, while women get the surname or middle name Kaur – meaning princess. And not least is he or she at all times to wear the five K’s: Five K’s A Khalsa is characterised by the following symbols known as the five K’s: - Kesh (unshorn hair) - Kangha (comb tucked in the tied up hair) - Karha (steel bracelet) - Kachhehra (prescribed shorts) - Kirpan (sword or dagger) The Kesh – unshorn hair – is a spiritual symbol. The body should be kept in its pristine condition just like by the Gurus. Some Sikhs believe that the unshorn hair plays a beneficial role in meditating and points to the fact that prophets and holy men of other religions too have/had long – and maybe unshorn – hair. The Kangha – comb in the hair – is a symbol of hygiene. The hair is to be respected and kept clean unlike the matted unkept hair of various ascetics. The Karha – steel bracelet – is worn on the right hand and should remind the wearer of restraint in his actions and remembrance of God at all times. Others see it as an arm to protect the wrist. Others still associate the circular form with the cycle of rebirth. The Kachhehra – prescribed shorts – is a symbol of self control and chastity. Others associate it with a warriors dress in opposition to alternative clothing of the time. The Kirpan – sword or dagger – is a symbol of dignity, self control and the Sikh’s struggle against injustice. It is important not to be a coward but to have courage and stand up for justice. Even Sikhs that are not baptised are expected to keep Kesh and wear a Karha. The Kirpan on the other hand is restricted to baptised Sikhs only. This is because caring a potential weapon requires self control. The baptised Sikh is committed to keeping a discipline that leads to good judgement and unselfishness. The turban Closely associated with unshorn hair, Sikh men are also to wear a turban, while it is optional for Sikh women. The turban is to be treated with respect and not to be covered by any other head gear. The turban is in part a symbol of spirituality. All the Gurus had kept their hair uncut and covered it with a turban. Likewise could it be seen in other religions that holy people wore turbans, and that ordinary believers covered their head at time of worship. This is believed to be a sign of humbleness. Like the Gurus the Sikhs should always have God on their mind, and hence not only cover their heads at special occasions. Furthermore the turban is a symbol of sovereignty. At the times turbans were used as crowns by maharajas and sultans. By wearing a turban a Sikh also signals that he is sovereign – the emperor in his own life – and that there is no one between the individual and God. The five K’s and the turban also add up to a uniform for the Sikhs. Such a uniform has a few other advantages. It enhances your bond to the faith, and shows both yourself as well as your surroundings that you are committed to this path. This can create expectations from your surroundings which may make you make an extra effort to live up to the expectations and hence not deviating from the path. Continue to Beliefs