Onkar

Onkar, also transliterated as Oankar or Onkaar, is a term used in Sikhism and in Punjabi-speaking Hindu traditions to denote the divine sound Om and the concept of God. In Sikhism, Ik Onkar is a central symbol and the opening phrase of the Mool Mantra, which underpins Sikh theology. It expresses the belief in a single, eternal, formless, all-pervading God and is often regarded as the creed’s entry point to the divine.

Linguistically, Ik means one, and Onkar derives from Oankaar, a form of Om that signifies the sacred sound and the divine form. In Sikh thought, Onkar represents the Creator who is the source and essence of all existence. The Mool Mantra that begins with Ik Onkar also names God with attributes such as Satnaam, Karta Purakh, Nirbhao, Nirvair, Akal, Moorat, Ajooni, Saibhang, and Gurprasad, outlining the nature of the divine and the means to realize it.

Culturally, the phrase Ik Onkar is widely taught, chanted, and displayed in Sikh religious spaces and artwork. It functions as a compact summary of Sikh monotheism, the universality of God, and the spiritual path toward devotion and righteousness. In broader Indian religious contexts, Onkar is sometimes used to refer to Om, the primal syllable in Hindu thought, and the name Onkar appears as a given name in South Asia.

Overall, Onkar embodies the idea of a single, eternal divine reality expressed through the sacred sound Om, a concept foundational to both Sikh and broader Indian spiritual traditions.