Khanda (Sikh symbol)

The Khanda (Punjabi: ਖੰਡਾ, khaṇḍā) 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. The Khanda emblem is an amalgam of three symbols,^[1] represented by three different items.

• A double-edged khanda (sword) in the centre
• A chakkar (chakram)
• Two single-edged swords, or kirpan, crossed at the bottom and 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.^[2]l

The Khanda is often confused with the emblem shown on Iran's flag which the Khanda predates. In recent years, the Khanda has been used to show solidarity within the Sikh community after high profile shootings in the United States.^[3]

The symbol is encoded in Unicode, in the Miscellaneous Symbols range, at codepoint U+262C (☬).

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  Emblem of Panjab and the Sikh Nation - Deg Tegh Fateh.

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  A huge replica of Khanda in city of Kaithal, Haryana

References

1. Rose, David (1995). Sikhism photopack. Folens limited. p. 10. ISBN 1852767693.
2. Teece, Geoff. Sikhism. Black Rabbit Books. p. 18. ISBN 1583404694.
3. Nolan, Bruce. "Sikhs in New Orleans gather to for Milwaukee shooting victims", The Times-Picayune, New Orleans, 08 August 2012. Retrieved on 08 May 2014.