Onkaar

Onkaar, also rendered Ik Onkar, is a central theological concept in Sikhism representing the oneness of God. It expresses the belief in a single, universal Creator who is the ultimate reality behind all existence. The phrase appears at the opening of the Guru Granth Sahib, the holy scripture of Sikhism, where it begins the Mul Mantar, the foundational statement that defines the nature of God.

Etymology and meaning: Ik (or Ek) means "one" in Punjabi, while Onkar (Oankar) refers to the divine sound or form of God and is linked to the idea of a divine, creative force. Together, Ik Onkar denotes the unity of God and the ojective reality of the cosmos as perceived through the Sikh worldview. Although sometimes associated with the Hindu Om, Ik Onkar is distinct within Sikh theology and conveys monotheism and immanence.

Symbolic representation: The Ik Onkar symbol is often written as the stylized glyph ੴ, which visually combines the concepts of unity and divine eternity. This symbol appears in Gurbani manuscripts, on religious flags (Nishan Sahib), at gurdwaras, and in various forms of Sikh art and calligraphy as a reminder of God’s unity.

Significance: The concept underpins Sikh worship, philosophy, and ethical life. It situates God as Sat Naam, Kartaa Purakh, Nirbhao, Nirvair, Akal Moorat, and beyond time, while affirming that all beings share a single divine reality. Onkaar thus encapsulates the core Sikh commitment to monotheism and the omnipresence of the divine.