Barber Shop Pole

The meaning of a barber pole relates to the original function of the profession. Barbers once performed bloodletting, a medical procedure once believed to treat a variety of conditions. The red and blue stripes are said to represent the colors of blood flowing through arteries and veins, while the white color relates to the color of the bandages applied after a treatment. On 1stDibs, find a variety of antique and vintage barber poles.

To understand what the colors on a barber pole mean, you first need to know a bit about the history of barbering. Before barbers began offering haircuts and shaves, they specialized in bloodletting, which was once believed to treat illness and disease and promote good health. The colors on a barber pole relate to this history. Red signifies arterial blood, while blue represents venous blood. Finally, the white color is a nod to the bandages that barbers applied after providing treatment. On 1stDibs, explore an assortment of barber poles.