Kaur

Kaur (Gurmukhi: ਕੌਰ; Shahmukhi: کور) is the surname given a symbol of the equality of women and men in the Sikh faith. "Kaur" is also sometimes translated as "lioness", not because this meaning is etymologically derived from the name, but as a parallel to the name "Singh," which means "lion."

For other uses, see Kaur (disambiguation).

History

The tenth guru of Sikhs, Guru Gobind Singh Ji, introduced Kaur and Singh when he administered Amrit to both male and female Sikhs; all female Sikhs were asked to use the name Kaur after their forename, and male Sikhs were to use the name Singh. Kaur's meaning of "prince" acts as a symbol of equality among men and women. The use of the name Kaur is one of several practices that implement the Sikh religion's commitment to gender equality, a core tenet of the faith. Kaur symbolizes that women were as cherished, politically meaningful, and worthy of respect as a (male) heir to a kingdom.

The adoption of Kaur and Singh as religious surnames was also intended to reduce caste-based prejudice. Because familial last names often signal a person's caste status (or for women who adopted their spouse's surname, the caste of their spouse), substituting Kaur and Singh allowed Sikhs to implement the Sikh religion's rejection of the caste system.

Singh is also used by some non-Sikh women, because 'Singh' can be a surname in several other cultural communities. It is the most common surname used by Sikhs. Sikhs are not required to change their surnames after receiving Amrit, but many choose to do so.

Sikh principles believe that all men and women are completely equal. Therefore, a woman is crowned with great responsibility and can lead her own life as an individual, equal to men. She does not need a man's title to raise her own status. Saying this would go against the principles stated in the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, the religious text of Sikhism. Guru Nanak Dev Ji states:

Punjabi Transliteration English translation

ਭੰਡਿ ਜੰਮੀਐ ਭੰਡਿ ਨਿੰਮੀਐ ਭੰਡਿ ਮੰਗਣੁ ਵੀਆਹੁ ॥
ਭੰਡਹੁ ਹੋਵੈ ਦੋਸਤੀ ਭੰਡਹੁ ਚਲੈ ਰਾਹੁ ॥
ਭੰਡੁ ਮੁਆ ਭੰਡੁ ਭਾਲੀਐ ਭੰਡਿ ਹੋਵੈ ਬੰਧਾਨੁ ॥
ਸੋ ਕਿਉ ਮੰਦਾ ਆਖੀਐ ਜਿਤੁ ਜੰਮਹਿ ਰਾਜਾਨ ॥
ਭੰਡਹੁ ਹੀ ਭੰਡੁ ਊਪਜੈ ਭੰਡੈ ਬਾਝੁ ਨ ਕੋਇ ॥

Bẖand jammī▫ai bẖand nimmī▫ai bẖand mangaṇ vī▫āhu.
Bẖand mu▫ā bẖand bẖālī▫ai bẖand hovai banḏẖān.
So ki▫o manḏā ākẖī▫ai jiṯ jamėh rājān.
Bẖandahu hī bẖand ūpjai bẖandai bājẖ na ko▫e.

From woman, man is born; within woman, man is conceived; to a woman he is engaged and married.
Woman becomes his friend; through a woman, the future generations come.
When his woman dies, he seeks another woman; to a woman he is bound.
So why call her bad? From her, kings are born.
From woman, a woman is born; without a woman, there would be no one at all.

See also

References

Citations

    Sources
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