Sikhs wear turbans for both practical and spiritual reasons. The turban is a distinct aspect of Sikh identity, part of Sikhism’s traditional attire and martial history. During battle, the turban served as a flexible, breathable helmet protecting against arrows, bullets, maces, spears, and swords. It also kept a Sikh’s long hair out of his eyes and away from an enemy’s grasp.

All Sikhs must follow a code of conduct, which includes the hair and head. A Sikh is expected to keep all hair intact and the head covered. A woman may also wear a scarf over a turban. Normally turbans are removed only in the most intimate circumstances, such as bathing the head or washing the hair.

Covering long hair with a turban helps to protect it from becoming tangled or coming into contact with pollutants, such as tobacco smoke. Sikh code of conduct stipulates abstaining from using tobacco. When a Sikh becomes initiated as Khalsa, or “pure,” amrit nectar is sprinkled on the kes, and Khalsa initiates consider the kes to be sacred thereafter.

Confining the kes within the turban frees the wearer from the social pressures of fashion dictates and allows attention to focus inwardly on worshiping the divine rather than outwardly on superficiality.

Tying a turban is an event that occurs every morning in the life of a Sikh.