Water's polar nature is what gives it the properties of adhesion and cohesion.

Polar molecules can be thought of like a chemical magnet. One side of the molecule is positively charged, and the other side of the molecule is negatively charged. This separation of charge results from the arrangement of electrons in the molecule. The positive side of water molecules is the side where the two hydrogen atoms are bonded to the oxygen atom. The other side is the negatively charged. This is why multiple water molecules to stick together, which results in cohesive properties. It also allows water to stick to other charged objects, giving it adhesive properties.