Have you ever wondered why barbers have those colorful poles outside their shops? These poles are usually red and white, and in the United States, they often include blue as well. Let’s dive into the history behind these iconic barber poles!
The story of the barber pole goes all the way back to medieval times. Back then, barbers did more than just cut hair. They also performed surgeries and other medical procedures. One of the most common procedures was called bloodletting. People believed that removing some blood from the body could help cure illnesses by balancing the body’s “humors”—which were thought to be blood, phlegm, yellow bile, and black bile.
Barbers became the go-to people for bloodletting after a rule in 1163 stopped monks from doing it. This opened up new opportunities for barbers to offer medical services. To let people know about their bloodletting services, barbers would display bowls of blood outside their shops. They even hung extracted teeth outside to show their dental skills!
During bloodletting, patients would grip a pole to make their veins stand out, making it easier for the barber to draw blood. Sometimes, the pole had a brass ball on top to hold leeches, and a basin was placed below to catch the blood. After the procedure, the bandages used would be wrapped around the pole as a form of advertisement.
Eventually, barbers started using a painted pole with red and white stripes instead of the real thing. The red stripes represented the blood and bandages, while the white stripes symbolized clean bandages. The ends of the pole represented the brass ball and the basin.
In 1540, a group called the barber-surgeons’ company was formed, which clearly defined the roles of barbers and surgeons. Barbers were only allowed to pull teeth, while surgeons handled more complex medical procedures. By the 18th century, barbers and surgeons were completely separate professions in England.
In the United States, barber poles include blue along with red and white. Some people think the blue represents veins, while others believe it’s a nod to the American flag.
So, the next time you see a barber pole, you’ll know it’s not just a decoration. It’s a symbol of a fascinating history where barbers were once surgeons too! And just like barbers advertised their services with poles, you can create your own website to showcase your skills or business. Check out Wix to build a professional site with ease, whether you’re into e-commerce, music, or any other field. Visit wix.com/simplehistory to get started!
Design and create your own barber pole using craft materials. Use red, white, and blue paper to represent the historical significance of the colors. Explain to your classmates what each color symbolizes based on the history of barber poles.
In groups, act out a scene from medieval times where a barber performs bloodletting. Assign roles such as the barber, the patient, and a narrator to explain the procedure and its historical context. Discuss how medical practices have evolved since then.
Research another historical medical practice and present your findings to the class. Compare and contrast it with bloodletting, focusing on the reasons behind each practice and how they were perceived at the time.
Calculate the length of the stripes needed to wrap around a cylindrical pole. Use measurements of a real or model pole to determine how much material is needed for each color stripe. Present your calculations and the final design.
Develop a timeline that traces the evolution of the barber profession from medieval times to today. Include key events such as the formation of the barber-surgeons’ company and the separation of barbers and surgeons. Share your timeline with the class.
This episode is sponsored by Wix. Go to wix.com/simplehistory to create a website now.
Why do barbers have a pole outside their shop? Barber poles are a familiar sight today. They can be static or revolving and are typically colored in red and white, or in the United States, red, white, and blue. But do you know the meaning behind the pole?
The barber’s pole dates back to medieval times when barbers also acted as surgeons. In Medieval Europe, hairdressing was just one of many jobs that barbers performed. They could perform various medical procedures, including bloodletting, which was believed to help balance the body’s humors—blood, phlegm, yellow bile, and black bile.
The practice of bloodletting was thought to encourage healthy new blood to replace the bad blood. This treatment was used for various ailments, from the plague to a sore throat. The reason barbers became surgeons was due to a prohibition placed on monks by Pope Alexander III in 1163, which opened up a market for barbers to advertise their services.
To remind people of their bloodletting services, barbers would display bowls of blood outside their shops. They also performed dentistry and would string teeth outside their shops as a form of advertisement. In 1307, this practice was banned in London, and barbers were required to dispose of blood properly.
During the bloodletting process, patients would squeeze a pole to make their veins more visible, making it easier for barbers to perform the procedure. The pole sometimes had a brass ball at the top to hold leeches, and a basin was placed underneath to collect blood. After the procedure, bandages would be wrapped around the arm and then around the pole to advertise the barber’s services.
Over time, barbers began using a painted pole with red and white stripes instead of the actual pole. The red represents blood and bandages, while the white symbolizes clean bandages. The ends of the pole represent the ball that contained the leeches and the basin that collected blood.
In 1540, the barber-surgeons’ company was established, further defining the roles of barbers and surgeons. Barbers were only allowed to extract teeth, and a statute was issued requiring barbers to use a blue and white pole while surgeons used a red and white pole. By the 18th century, the trade of barber and surgeon was formally separated in England.
In the United States, barber poles are red, white, and blue. One theory suggests that the blue represents veins, while another theory posits that it was added as a nod to the nation’s flag.
Barber surgeons used poles with bandages to advertise their services in medieval times, and you can advertise your profile or business with Wix. Go to wix.com/simplehistory to create a professional site, regardless of your skill level. Wix offers great features to bring your site to life, such as videos, galleries, bookings, and solutions for various types of businesses, including e-commerce, music, hotels, events, restaurants, and more. Build your own website and support our channel by visiting wix.com/simplehistory or click the link in the description below to get started.
Barber – A person whose job was not only to cut hair but also to perform minor surgeries and dental work in the past. – In medieval times, a barber would often perform bloodletting to treat illnesses.
Pole – A long cylindrical object, often used as a symbol; in history, the barber’s pole represented their trade. – The red and white stripes on the barber’s pole symbolize blood and bandages from the days when barbers performed medical procedures.
History – The study of past events, particularly in human affairs. – Learning about the history of medicine helps us understand how medical practices have evolved over time.
Bloodletting – An old medical practice where blood was drawn from a patient to cure or prevent illness and disease. – Bloodletting was a common treatment in ancient history, though it is no longer used today.
Surgeries – Medical procedures involving an incision with instruments to repair damage or treat disease. – In the past, surgeries were often performed without anesthesia, making them very painful.
Medical – Relating to the science of medicine, or to the treatment of illness and injuries. – Advances in medical knowledge have greatly improved the success of surgeries over the centuries.
Procedures – A series of actions conducted in a certain order or manner, especially in medicine. – Medical procedures have become much safer with the development of modern technology and techniques.
Bandages – Strips of material used to bind a wound or to protect an injured part of the body. – After the surgery, the doctor carefully wrapped bandages around the patient’s arm to protect the wound.
Veins – Blood vessels that carry blood towards the heart. – During bloodletting, a vein was often opened to draw blood from the patient.
Company – A group of people working together in a business or enterprise, sometimes related to medical services. – The company specialized in producing medical supplies, including bandages and surgical instruments.
