In a bullfight, why do Matadors (or Toreadors as they're also called) use red capes to attract the bulls?
This is just something I’ve always wondered. I’ve never seen a bullfight in person but in all the pictures I’ve ever seen and video clips I’ve watched, it’s always a red cape.
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“The muleta obscures a sword, and as in his earlier work with the cape, bullfighter uses it to attract the bull in a series of passes, demonstrating his control over it. (Veterinary physiological aside: Bulls are actually dichromatic, so neither the cape nor the muleta need be red to serve its purpose. The red colour is just a matter of tradition.)”
-Wikipedia
Yes, I believe that the MythBusters proved that basically anything that moves, regardless of the colour, is going to piss off a bull… at least that’s the way I remember the episode.
Red just matches the best with sequins and it’s all about sequins girl, it’s all about the sequins.
Toreador doesn’t mean anything outside of the opera Carmen. The correct name for bullfighter is actually “Torero”.
The word “toreador” is used in English to describe a torero only because of it’s use in the opera Carmen.. It is not used in Spain because it isn’t an actual word.
It’s still a recognized word to define what a bullfighter is.
Matador, Torero, Toreador – they’re all bullfighters.
Although Wikipedia says that ‘Toreador’ is used in English and in Bizet’s opera Carmen, The dictionary makes no reference whatsoever as to the origin of the word ‘Toreador’ solely emanating from an Opera.
Fair enough, Astro. Thanks for the spirited debate on this word. :o)
I remember hearing as a kid that it was red so that if the bullfighter was injured, the blood wouldn’t be visible. I realize now that’s probably false but I never questioned it until this very moment… Weird!
I heard (but didn’t see the proof) that bulls were colorblind and the reason the cape is red is for the audience… not the bull. I’m with Maverick up there. Anything that moves is going to piss off a bull.
maybe it’s just an old wives tale
It’s not for the bull, it’s for the audience watching the bullfight.
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