kirpan
Ceremonial Sikh dagger
A kirpan is a ceremonial dagger or short sword worn by baptized Sikhs as one of the five articles of faith.
It symbolizes a commitment to defend the weak and uphold justice.
Kirpans range from small blade-shaped pendants to full-sized daggers, and their status as religious objects has prompted legal accommodations in schools and airports: The court ruled that students could wear kirpans under their clothing.
Short pointed stabbing blade
- curvedSmoothly bent, not angular
- steelCarbon-hardened iron alloy
- sheathProtective blade covering
- hiltWeapon's graspable portion
edge · double-edged · ceremonial blade · kris · kukri · miniature · full-length · ornamental
Sikhism's original five initiates
- baptismRitual water purification ceremony
- initiationFormal admission ceremony
- covenantBinding formal pledge
- identityWho someone is
Guarding against harm
- dignityInnate personal worth
- defenseProtection against harm
- justiceFair treatment under law
- honorHigh regard, moral dignity
courage · sacrifice · righteousness · duty · warrior · resistance · oppression · sovereignty
Furnace for shaping metal
- steelCarbon-hardened iron alloy
- temperingControlled heating and cooling
- smithingMetalworking by hammer
- engravingCarving into hard surfaces
polishing · metalwork · hilt · sheath · scabbard · etching · ornamental · handcrafted
Sikh pilgrimage center in India
- diwanEastern council or sofa
- congregationAssembled group of worshippers
- prayerAddress to deity
- devotionDeep, loyal commitment
dagger
Short pointed stabbing blade
hilt · edge · double-edged · ceremonial blade · kris · kukri · miniature · full-length · ornamental · engraved
Panj Pyare
Sikhism's original five initiates
- baptismRitual water purification ceremony
- initiationFormal admission ceremony
- covenantBinding formal pledge
protection
Guarding against harm
honor · courage · sacrifice · righteousness · duty · warrior · resistance · oppression · sovereignty · spiritual power
forge
Furnace for shaping metal
- steelCarbon-hardened iron alloy
- temperingControlled heating and cooling
- smithingMetalworking by hammer
engraving · polishing · metalwork · hilt · sheath · scabbard · etching · ornamental · handcrafted · Damascus
Amritsar
Sikh pilgrimage center in India
- diwanEastern council or sofa
- congregationAssembled group of worshippers
- prayerAddress to deity
kirpanutility knife
Retractable multi-purpose blade
pocket knife · kitchen knife · tool · hunting knife · box cutter