How To Draw A Khanda Step By Step

Sikh symbol depicting Deg Tegh Fateh doctrine

The khanda (Punjabi: ਖੰਡਾ, khaṇḍā ) is the symbol of the Sikh faith, that attained its current form around the 1930s during the Ghadar Movement.^[1]

The modern Sikh symbol/logo is never written on or in any copy of the Guru Granth Sahib. The main symbol/logo traditionally used in the Guru Granth Sahib and Gurdwaras across the world is "Ek Onkar". Traditionally, it was very common to see "Ek Onkar" above the entrance to a Gurdwara, or on the front page of the Guru Granth Sahib. The other one was the Aad Chand.

It is an amalgam of 3 symbols:^[2]

A double-edged khanda (sword) in the centre
A chakkar (chakram)
Two single-edged swords, or kirpan, crossed at the bottom, which sit on either side of the khanda and chakkar. They represent the dual characteristics of Miri-Piri, indicating the integration of both spiritual and temporal sovereignty together and not treating them as two separate and distinct entities.^[3] The left sword is called Miri and the right sword is called Piri.^[4]

It depicts the Sikh doctrine Deg Tegh Fateh in emblematic form. It consists of three weapons and a circle: the khanda, two kirpans and the chakkar which is a circle. It is the military emblem of the Sikhs. It is also part of the design of the Nishan Sahib. A double-edged khanda (sword) is placed at the top of a Nishan Sahib flag as an ornament or finial.

In recent years, the Khanda has been used to show solidarity within the Sikh community after high-profile shootings in the United States.^[5]

Another symbol that may be confused with the Khanda is the aad chand (lit. "half moon") of the Nihang, which consists of a khanda sword in the middle of a crescent, aligned with points upward.^[6]

The symbol is encoded in Unicode, at code point U+262C ☬ in the Miscellaneous Symbols range.

References [edit]

^ "20th Century - The Modern Design", Nishan Sahib, SikhMuseum.com
^ Rose, David (1995). Sikhism photopack. Folens limited. p. 10. ISBN1852767693.
^ Teece, Geoff. Sikhism. Black Rabbit Books. p. 18. ISBN1583404694.
^ "Parts of Khanda Infographic", Khanda Infographic, NitnemSahib.com
^ Nolan, Bruce. "Sikhs in New Orleans gather for Milwaukee shooting victims", The Times-Picayune, New Orleans, 08 August 2012. Retrieved on 08 May 2014.
^ "Mistaken Identity - Shiva Crescent Moon", Nishan Sahib, SikhMuseum.com.