History of Barber Pole

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The barber pole has a wonderful and interesting story to tell, and its
presence keeps this story alive. It is the oldest distinguished mark
of any profession or craft, dating back before the birth of Christ.
History tells us that barber service was rendered to the public 6,000
years before. The art of hair and beard trimming (barbering), medicine
(herbs), dentistry (tooth pulling) and surgery (blood letting) were
all performed by the same operators in the early history; they were
called BARBER SURGEONS. Due to the services that they rendered and
especially to the royalty, the barber-surgeons were the most respected
and protected men living. They held this respect for thousands of
years.

During their practice of surgery, which consisted only of blood
letting or bleeding the disease, a white cloth was used. They would
rinse this out leaving blood stains, hang it in the door-way of their
business to dry: thus, the origin of our present day barber pole. As
the years passed by the hundreds, this original badge has been changed
to the present, attractive glass red and white emblem which represents
professional grooming service. The doctors, the dentists and the
surgeons have all branched from this original profession long since;
however, the barber pole still remains the property of the artistic
barbering profession.


Source: http://www.barberpolesdirect.com/history-of-barber-poles.html