Khanda

A double-edged sword within a circle, flanked by two curved swords.

Also known as: Sikh khanda, Sikh emblem, Adi Shakti

ReligiousCulturalStandard profile

This symbol carries culturally, religiously or politically sensitive meanings depending on context. See the meanings below for a full, sourced breakdown rather than a single summary judgement.

Meanings

The khanda is the emblem of Sikhism, combining a central double-edged sword, a circular chakkar, and two flanking kirpans representing spiritual and temporal authority.

Culturally establishedVerified fact
Identifies Sikhism and Sikh institutions, and appears on the Nishan Sahib flag flown at gurdwaras.
Contexts: Religion
Culturally establishedTradition
Combines three elements: the central double-edged khanda, the circular chakkar, and two curved kirpans understood within the tradition as miri and piri — temporal and spiritual authority.
Contexts: Religion

Visual description

A vertical double-edged blade inside a circle, with a curved sword on each side crossing beneath.

Symmetry: vertical
Orientation: upright

Confidence

IdentityHigh confidence: High confidence because the identity is defined by a current official standard.
Historical originLow confidence: Low confidence because the historical origin is documented in encyclopedic references, but only a single source has been found so far, but early or supporting evidence is limited, but the regional or cultural match to this specific claim is not precise.
Cultural meaningLow confidence: Low confidence because the cultural meaning is documented in encyclopedic references, but only a single source has been found so far, but early or supporting evidence is limited, but the regional or cultural match to this specific claim is not precise.
Visual matchHigh confidence: High confidence because the visual match is defined by a current official standard.

Sources

Khanda (Sikh symbol)
Wikipedia · retrieved 2026-07-30
Tertiary reference. Used for widely-agreed identity and origin summary, not for contested detail or exact dates.
Unicode Code Chart: Miscellaneous Symbols (U+2600–U+26FF)
The Unicode Consortium · retrieved 2026-07-30
Authoritative for the character's code point, name and block only. Unicode assigns identity; it does not define what a symbol means in use.

Last reviewed 2026-07-30

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Meanings

The khanda is the emblem of Sikhism, combining a central double-edged sword, a circular chakkar, and two flanking kirpans representing spiritual and temporal authority.

Culturally establishedVerified fact

Identifies Sikhism and Sikh institutions, and appears on the Nishan Sahib flag flown at gurdwaras.

Contexts: Religion

Culturally establishedTradition

Combines three elements: the central double-edged khanda, the circular chakkar, and two curved kirpans understood within the tradition as miri and piri — temporal and spiritual authority.

Contexts: Religion

Confidence

IdentityHigh confidence: High confidence because the identity is defined by a current official standard.
Historical originLow confidence: Low confidence because the historical origin is documented in encyclopedic references, but only a single source has been found so far, but early or supporting evidence is limited, but the regional or cultural match to this specific claim is not precise.
Cultural meaningLow confidence: Low confidence because the cultural meaning is documented in encyclopedic references, but only a single source has been found so far, but early or supporting evidence is limited, but the regional or cultural match to this specific claim is not precise.
Visual matchHigh confidence: High confidence because the visual match is defined by a current official standard.

Sources

Khanda (Sikh symbol)
Wikipedia · retrieved 2026-07-30
Tertiary reference. Used for widely-agreed identity and origin summary, not for contested detail or exact dates.
Unicode Code Chart: Miscellaneous Symbols (U+2600–U+26FF)
The Unicode Consortium · retrieved 2026-07-30
Authoritative for the character's code point, name and block only. Unicode assigns identity; it does not define what a symbol means in use.

Last reviewed 2026-07-30