Barber and barber surgeon and barber pole

As we know, a barber (from the Latin barba, "beard") is someone whose occupation is to cut any type of hair, give shaves, and trim beards. Some barbers prefer to see themselves as hairdressers or hairstylists. It is because Barbers can perform all coloring and perms as well as cut hair, trim beards, color and provide facials and shave.

In more recent times, most barbers primarily cut hair. However, in previous times, barbers also performed surgery and dentistry. The barber surgeon was one of the most common medical practitioners of medieval Europe. They often took up residence in castles where they also provided medical assistance to the rich and wealthy.

The last vestige of barber-surgeons' links with the medical side of their profession is probably the traditional red and white barber's pole which is said to represent the blood and bandages associated with their older role. The origin of the barber pole is associated with the service of bloodletting. The red and white stripes symbolize the bandages used during the procedure: red for the blood-stained and white for the clean bandages.


excerpted from From Wikipedia