ABOUT

The kara is a bracelet made of steel used in Sikhism, a monotheistic religion originating in the Punjab region of India. The Kara is supposed to protect the
person who wears it and symbolizes a permanent bonding to the Sikh community. Originally the Kara was used by the warriors that protected the Sikhism culture, they used it during combat to guard the arm when fighting arms with swords.

It is a tradition to give a kara to every newborn. Once the person starts to use it, they must keep it clean and cannot take it off unless there are extreme circumstances. It is a belief that using the Kara on the left arm brings good luck, and some people also use a Kara in each arm. The Kara is one of the 5 K’s in Sikhism. The first K in Sikhism is a kesh that is uncut hair. the second K is kara, which reminds the Sikh of one god without beginning or end. The third K in Sikhism is a kanga, a comb it helps them keep their hair straight. The fourth K is a kirpan, a sword used to defend their faith, the poor and helpless. The fifth and final K is the kachera, baggy shorts that Sikh men used to wear into battle.
The Kara can also be found in other religions like Hinduism, Hinduism is the largest religion in India and the usage of the Kara is also a tradition for some of the believers that are not related to Sikhism.

—Sarush Arora

ORIGIN
India

APPROXIMATE DATE
c. 2000

MATERIALS
Steel

COLLECTION OF
Sarush Arora