Waheguru Ji ka Khalsa. Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh
The following is for both non-Sikhs and Sikhs:
At my Gurudwara, several of my sikh friends have stopped wearing turbans. For several months now, I have put into consideration why this happened. What happened that made them stop wearing a truban? Were they not aware of the significance of the turban?
Then, I asked myself the question. Was I even aware of the significance of a turban. So, I did some research. Why have I been wearing a turban for approximately 11-12 years (I'm 16 now)? What is the purpose of it? After doing my research, I was able to answer this question and obtain a newfound respect for my religion.
There is not one reason as to why Sikhs wear a turban, but many. The turban is a part of the Sikh Identity. In 1699, when the tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh Ji created the Khalsa, he gave the Khalsa a unique identity. This identity consisted un unshorn(un-cut) hair, covered by a turban. But why a turban?
These are just a few reasons(there are many more):
1.) Several hundred years ago, kings in India wore turbans. The "Turban" symbolized royalty and great power. The Guru Ji embedded this within the Khalsa.
2.) To cover your un-shorn hair. Sikhism believes that sikhs should remain natural. They should not cut their hair. They should remain in the form, in which god created them. Guru Nanak Dev Ji, Moses and Jesus did not cut their hair. The turban also looks really nice!
3.) Guru Ji wanted Sikhs have a unique indentity, thus allowing others to distinguish between Sikhs and non-Sikhs. I am one of the only sikhs in my school. There are three sikhs in my school, and I am the only one in my grade. I think to myself how great my idenity is with a turban. If all the kids were to line up, or come together, you wouldn't be able to tell who was a ***? a christian? a muslim? or a hindu? But, you would be able to tell if there was a Sikh. Sikhs can be prominent in this way. When someone sees someone wearing a turban, they can easily identify him as a Sikh. They will then know that this is a person who stands up for justice, believes in richessness and equality for all people.
Guru Ji didn't just give a common identity to Sikhs. He incorporated so many things into this unique identity.
The turban is the most unique part of the Sikh Idenity. It allows one to distinguish between Sikhs and non-sikhs. No other religion has such a unique indentity.
A few things you might want to know:
-99% of the people who wear turbans in the United States, are sikhs. Muslims, CHOSE to wear a turban, because of their geographical background-people in the Middle East wore/wear turbans to protect themselves from the extreme heat. Muslims do NOT wear turbans due to religious requirement.
-Sikhs served in the French, British and American military, with turbans
-The Sikh regiment, of the United Nations, was one of the first regiments sent into Iraq to aid with the situation. These Sikhs wore turbans.
Overall Message: I hope you all initiate from this, and learn the significance of a turban. It's not just a 6-yard peice of fabric. It has a significance. A great one. Every morning when I wake up to tie my turban, I think of how great it is, and how so many lives were sacrificed throughout Sikh History, so Sikhs could keep their identity. Then, I ask myself? If so many sikhs lost their lives to defend their identity, why do people just forget about it? The answer: Many Sikhs wear/wore a turban. However, they were/are unaware of the significance of a turban.
I'm proud to be a Sikh! You should be too!
From,
Daman Singh
Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa. Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh
More...
The following is for both non-Sikhs and Sikhs:
The Significance of a Turban
The Sikh Religion requires its followers to cover their heads with "turbans". These turbans have become a burden for many Sikh Youth, and thus they chose not wear it.At my Gurudwara, several of my sikh friends have stopped wearing turbans. For several months now, I have put into consideration why this happened. What happened that made them stop wearing a truban? Were they not aware of the significance of the turban?
Then, I asked myself the question. Was I even aware of the significance of a turban. So, I did some research. Why have I been wearing a turban for approximately 11-12 years (I'm 16 now)? What is the purpose of it? After doing my research, I was able to answer this question and obtain a newfound respect for my religion.
There is not one reason as to why Sikhs wear a turban, but many. The turban is a part of the Sikh Identity. In 1699, when the tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh Ji created the Khalsa, he gave the Khalsa a unique identity. This identity consisted un unshorn(un-cut) hair, covered by a turban. But why a turban?
These are just a few reasons(there are many more):
1.) Several hundred years ago, kings in India wore turbans. The "Turban" symbolized royalty and great power. The Guru Ji embedded this within the Khalsa.
2.) To cover your un-shorn hair. Sikhism believes that sikhs should remain natural. They should not cut their hair. They should remain in the form, in which god created them. Guru Nanak Dev Ji, Moses and Jesus did not cut their hair. The turban also looks really nice!
3.) Guru Ji wanted Sikhs have a unique indentity, thus allowing others to distinguish between Sikhs and non-Sikhs. I am one of the only sikhs in my school. There are three sikhs in my school, and I am the only one in my grade. I think to myself how great my idenity is with a turban. If all the kids were to line up, or come together, you wouldn't be able to tell who was a ***? a christian? a muslim? or a hindu? But, you would be able to tell if there was a Sikh. Sikhs can be prominent in this way. When someone sees someone wearing a turban, they can easily identify him as a Sikh. They will then know that this is a person who stands up for justice, believes in richessness and equality for all people.
Guru Ji didn't just give a common identity to Sikhs. He incorporated so many things into this unique identity.
The turban is the most unique part of the Sikh Idenity. It allows one to distinguish between Sikhs and non-sikhs. No other religion has such a unique indentity.
A few things you might want to know:
-99% of the people who wear turbans in the United States, are sikhs. Muslims, CHOSE to wear a turban, because of their geographical background-people in the Middle East wore/wear turbans to protect themselves from the extreme heat. Muslims do NOT wear turbans due to religious requirement.
-Sikhs served in the French, British and American military, with turbans
-The Sikh regiment, of the United Nations, was one of the first regiments sent into Iraq to aid with the situation. These Sikhs wore turbans.
Overall Message: I hope you all initiate from this, and learn the significance of a turban. It's not just a 6-yard peice of fabric. It has a significance. A great one. Every morning when I wake up to tie my turban, I think of how great it is, and how so many lives were sacrificed throughout Sikh History, so Sikhs could keep their identity. Then, I ask myself? If so many sikhs lost their lives to defend their identity, why do people just forget about it? The answer: Many Sikhs wear/wore a turban. However, they were/are unaware of the significance of a turban.
I'm proud to be a Sikh! You should be too!
From,
Daman Singh
Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa. Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh
More...