/oss/taxonomy/term/2065/all en /oss/article/history-you-asked/why-does-barbers-pole-have-red-stripe <p>It represents the colour of blood. During the Middle Ages monks were required to shave the crown of their head, a function commonly performed by itinerant barbers. Also, under ecclesiastic law, monks had to be periodically bled. This was supposedly a symbol of piousness, of devotion to God. Barbers began to attend to this duty as well. They would travel with a "flag" of a white cloth dipped in blood to indicate that they would attend to anyone who needed to be bled. This early mode of advertisement eventually was transformed into the barber's pole.</p> Sat, 26 Sep 2015 10:18:19 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 2286 at /oss /oss/article/you-asked/why-does-barbers-pole-have-red-stripe <p>During the Middle Ages monks were required to shave the crown of their head, a function commonly performed by itinerant barbers. Also, under ecclesiastic law, monks had to be periodically bled. This was supposedly a symbol of piousness, of devotion to God.</p> Tue, 21 Feb 2017 04:24:01 +0000 Joe Schwarcz 1489 at /oss