Why is at every barber shop,there this spiral thing outside the shop?

Question

Why is at every barber shop,there this spiral thing outside the shop?

Answer 1

i knew this one but i can't remember where I heard it. the person at the top had the best answer from wikipedia but they could have made it more personable lol

Answer 2

That is to let them know of the blood and bandages, as early barbers also did surgeries of sorts

Answer 3

there is a white and red pole that originally looked like a snake twining around a stick because that used to be the sign for medical help, barbers used to do minor surgeries as well as cut hair.

Answer 4

The origin of the barber pole is associated with the service of bloodletting.[1] During medieval times, barbers also performed surgery on customers. The original pole had a brass basin at the top (representing the vessel in which leeches were kept) and bottom (representing the basin which received the blood). The pole itself represents the staff that the patient gripped during the procedure to encourage blood flow.

The red and white stripes symbolize the bandages used during the procedure: red for the blood-stained and white for the clean bandages. Originally, these bandages were hung out on the pole to dry after washing. As the bandages blew in the wind, they would twist together to form the spiral pattern similar to the stripes in the modern day barber pole. The barber pole became emblematic of the barber/surgeon's profession. Later the cloths were replaced by a painted wooden pole of red and white stripes.

Answer 5

cause it looks purty

Answer 6

Not every barber shop has the red and white spiral thingy. Now knowing the origin. I will not go to a barber shop with one of those things. Bad for business for anyone who knows the origin. Time for a new symbol out front.