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Summary of Question:	Khanda Tattoos
Category:	General Sikhism
Date Posted:	Tuesday, 6/27/2006 2:16 AM MDT

I have many relatives who have Khanda tattoos but they drink & smoke and the older generation thinks this is wrong. I agree it's wrong, but they also say that nobody is ever supposed to have a tattoo of a khanda on their body. My father was yelling at my brother for this the other day saying people fought & died for that symbol and that he's disrespecting it by getting it tattoo'd on him. I don't see why. I see it as having pride in Sikhism and representing what you believe in, I'm sure the adults can see this too but they still say it shouldn't be worn like that. So my question is, is it wrong to have a khanda tattoo'd on your body? If not then how is it right?.

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Sat nam. Tattoos are permanent marks on the skin. This qualifies as altering the body, not matter what the picture. Amritdhari Sikhs vow not to alter their bodies. That's why your father got upset. It's not the symbol, it's the actual tattoo.
Guru ang sang,
-DK