[5] In 1936, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee ratified the Sikh Rehet Maryada, which states its colour as either basanti (xanthic) or surmai (navy blue).

[7] The Akal Takht decided on 15 July 2024, in accordance with the Sikh Rehat Maryada, that only basanti or surmai colours are acceptable, while kesri (saffron) is not.

[3][11] In the era of Guru Amar Das, a white-triangular flag was erected at the then-newly constructed Baoli Sahib (stepwell) located in Goindwal on the bank of the Beas River.

[12] The white in the flag symbolized Piri, or saintliness, but also "goodwill" and "peace", and also acting as a landmark to aid visitors seeking out a Sikh site.

ਜਿਸੁ ਧੀਰਜੁ ਧੁਰਿ ਧਵਲੁ ਧੁਜਾ ਸੇਤਿ ਬੈਕੁੰਠ ਬੀਣਾ ॥Jisu dhīrju dhuri dhavlu dhujā sēti baikuṇṭh bīṇā ॥ Patience has been His white banner since the beginning of time, planted on the bridge to heaven.

Bhai Gurdas makes specific mention of a flag existing at the court of Guru Arjan in the 24th ballad of his Varan composition (24:18–23).

ਕੁਲਿ ਸੋਢੀ ਗੁਰ ਰਾਮਦਾਸ ਤਨੁ ਧਰਮ ਧੁਜਾ ਅਰਜੁਨੁ ਹਰਿ ਭਗਤਾ ॥੬॥Kuli sōḍhī gur rāmdās tanu dharam dhujā arjunu hari bhagtā ॥6॥ In the Sodhi family, is born Arjun, the son of Guru Raam Daas, the holder of the banner of Dharma and the devotee of God.

[7] Guru Gobind Singh imprinted two symbols on the Nishan Sahib after the formalization of the Khalsa order in 1699: a cooking vessel or cauldron to represent deg (food for all) and a sword, known as a tegh (justice for all).

[citation needed] The modern form and envisionment of the Nishan Sahib can be traced back ultimately to the time of the Singh Sabha movement.

[7] Most modern Nishan Sahibs are saffron in colour but the Nihang sect of Sikhs usually maintain a dark blue-coloured flag at their gurdwaras.

[7] In a 26 July 2024 circular, the SGPC mandated that the Nishan Sahib flown by Sikhs should be either basanti (xanthic) or surmai (greyish-blue) in colour.

[citation needed] Guru Gobind Singh Ji's ashtabhuja was found in Chamkaur sahib the place where his two sons were martyred and other two captured with his mother.