Miri Piri (Gurmukhi: ਮੀਰੀ-ਪੀਰੀ; mīrī pīrī) is a concept[1] that has been practiced in Sikh religion since the seventeenth century.
Miri is believed to have originated from the Perso-Arabic “Amir” or “Emir”, intended to signal political power, while Piri is believed to have originated from the Perso-Arabic “Pir”, meant to signal spiritual power.[2]
The concept of "The Mir and the Pir" (temporal power and spiritual authority) was introduced by the sixth Sikh Guru, Hargobind. Shortly before the Shaheedi (martyrdom) of his father and predecessor, the then Guru Arjan Dev, nominated Hargobind for the Guru Gaddi (ਗੁਰੂ ਗੱਦੀ). After his father's death, Guru Hargobind introduced the two swords of Miri and Piri symbolizing both worldly (political) and spiritual authority.[3] Where action informed or arising out of the spiritual heart completes one’s purpose and meaning in the world of action: spirituality.[4]
Some Sikhs believe that this fulfills a prophecy given by Baba Buddha that the Sikh will possess spiritual and temporal power.
The Sikh Khanda shows the two swords of Miri and Piri are tied together with a larger vertical khanda in center. This, in combination with the chakram, displays the Sikh concept of Degh Tegh Fateh.