<P> The red and white pole outside barber shops references a time when barbers were expected to perform bloodletting and other medical procedures to heal the sick ; red represented blood and white represented bandages . `` Barber surgeons '' in Rome also performed teeth extraction , cupping , leeching , bloodletting , surgery and enemas . However , today 's barber poles represent little more than being a barber shop that cuts hair and does shaves . Barber poles have actually become a topic of controversy in the hairstyling business . In some states , such as Michigan in March 2012 , legislation has emerged proposing that barber poles should only be permitted outside barbershops , but not traditional beauty salons . Barbers and cosmetologists have engaged in several legal battles claiming the right to use the barber pole symbol to indicate to potential customers that the business offers haircutting services . Barbers claim that they are entitled to exclusive rights to use the barber pole because of the tradition tied to the craft , whereas cosmetologists argue that they are equally capable of cutting men 's hair ( though many cosmetologists are not permitted to use razors , depending on their state 's laws ) . </P>
<P> The red and white pole outside barber shops references a time when barbers were expected to perform bloodletting and other medical procedures to heal the sick ; red represented blood and white represented bandages . `` Barber surgeons '' in Rome also performed teeth extraction , cupping , leeching , bloodletting , surgery and enemas . However , today 's barber poles represent little more than being a barber shop that cuts hair and does shaves . Barber poles have actually become a topic of controversy in the hairstyling business . In some states , such as Michigan in March 2012 , legislation has emerged proposing that barber poles should only be permitted outside barbershops , but not traditional beauty salons . Barbers and cosmetologists have engaged in several legal battles claiming the right to use the barber pole symbol to indicate to potential customers that the business offers haircutting services . Barbers claim that they are entitled to exclusive rights to use the barber pole because of the tradition tied to the craft , whereas cosmetologists argue that they are equally capable of cutting men 's hair ( though many cosmetologists are not permitted to use razors , depending on their state 's laws ) . </P>
what do the colors on barber pole mean
what do the colors on barber pole mean
red represented blood and white represented bandages
red represented blood and white represented bandages