Ek Onkar Symbol ੴ and Sikh Symbols: Copy and Meaning

Meaning of the Ek Onkar Symbol (Ik Onkar)

The ik onkar symbol ੴ is the most important sikhism symbol, and it joins two parts. The first part is the Gurmukhi numeral one (੧), "Ik". The second part is "Onkar", the Creator. Read together, Ik Onkar means "there is One Creator", a statement of the oneness of God at the heart of Sikh belief.

Ik Onkar is the opening of the Mool Mantar, the first composition of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, and it begins the Guru Granth Sahib. That is why many people call it the guru nanak symbol. The Mool Mantar starts like this:

ੴ ਸਤਿ ਨਾਮੁ (Ik Onkar, Sat Naam)

Ik Onkar is written in Gurmukhi script and is a separate symbol from the Hindu ॐ, even though both have a curved shape. Read about Om on the om symbol page.

Khanda Symbol: Parts and Meaning

The khanda symbol ☬ is the emblem of the Khalsa. It has three parts:

The idea of miri and piri is linked with Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji, who wore two swords to show both duties. As a sikh khanda symbol it appears on turbans, gurdwara gates and the Nishan Sahib. Some people call the emblem the khanda sahib symbol out of respect. Note that the Unicode name of ☬ is "Adi Shakti", but Sikhs know and use it as the Khanda.

Sikh Symbol Emoji and Other Symbols of Sikhism

For a long time there was no sikh symbol emoji, so people used ☬ as text. The Khanda emoji 🪯 was added in a recent emoji update. On older phones it may show as an empty box; in that case use ☬ or the PNG image.

Other important symbols of Sikhism include:

• Nishan Sahib: the tall saffron flag with the Khanda, flown at every gurdwara so travellers can find it.
• The Five Ks: kesh (uncut hair), kara (steel bracelet), kanga (wooden comb), kachera (cotton undergarment) and kirpan (small sword), kept by initiated Sikhs.
• Gurmukhi script: words such as ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ (Waheguru) are themselves treated with love and respect.

There is no separate waheguru symbol in Unicode. When people ask for one, they usually want ੴ, ☬, or the word ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ written in Gurmukhi.

How to Type Ik Onkar ੴ and Khanda ☬

Neither symbol has an Alt code. Try these:

1. Copy and paste from the grid on this page.
2. Microsoft Word: type 0A74 and press Alt+X for ੴ. Type 262C then Alt+X for ☬, or 1FAAF then Alt+X for 🪯.
3. Windows emoji panel: press Windows+. and search "khanda" (if your Windows version has the new emoji).
4. Mac: press Control+Command+Space and search "Gurmukhi" or "Adi Shakti".
5. Phone: add the Punjabi (Gurmukhi) keyboard in Gboard settings; ੴ is usually among its extra symbols. Search "khanda" in emoji for 🪯.

For HTML, use ੴ for ੴ and ☬ for ☬.

Using Sikh Symbols in Greetings

Sikh religion symbols are often used in Gurpurab, Vaisakhi and Bandi Chhor Divas greetings. Simple, respectful text ideas:

• ੴ Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh
• ☬ Happy Vaisakhi ☬
• ੴ 🙏 Gurpurab di lakh lakh vadhaiyan

Keep the symbol upright and at the start or centre of the message. See all faiths together on the religious symbols page, or add folded hands from the namaste symbol page.