Quck answer
The idea that bulls hate the color red is a common misconception. Bulls are actually colorblind to red and cannot perceive it. The reason why bulls react aggressively during bullfights is because of the movement of the matador’s cape, not the color. Bulls are naturally provoked by the motion and the taunting behavior of the matador. The myth of bulls hating red may have originated from the use of red capes in bullfights, but it is not based on the bull’s actual response to the color.
Have you ever experienced that particular dream? You know…the one where you realize you’re standing in a field about 20 steps away from a large bull. You look around and there’s nothing to see for miles except for rolling hills, trees, and farmland.
Then you glance downward and take notice of your attire. For some reason, you’re dressed entirely in red: red shirt, red pants, red shoes, and even red socks. “Uh-oh,” you think. “This might not end well.” As you look up, the bull is pawing at the ground. He starts charging towards you and just as his horns are about to reach you, you wake up!
Phew! What a relief, huh? As you reflect on how grateful you are to be in bed instead of facing a charging bull, you ponder more about the dream. Since you’ve seen cartoons and television shows with bullfighters waving red capes in front of a bull to provoke it to charge, you come to the realization that bulls must really have a strong dislike for the color red. After all, why else would they charge?
So why do bulls despise the color red so much? Does it hurt their eyes? Could it frighten them? Would they prefer a more soothing color, like blue or green?
Nope! Bulls don’t actually detest the color red. In fact, they can’t even see the color red. Bulls, like all other cattle, are colorblind to red. So why do they charge at a bullfighter’s red cape then?
Bullfighters, known as matadors, use a small red cape, called a muleta, during a bullfight. It seems that bulls get annoyed by the cape’s movement, not its color. The television show Mythbusters tested this theory during one of their episodes.
Their experiments showed that bulls had the same reaction to white capes and blue capes as they did to red capes. Furthermore, their tests revealed that bulls only became interested and started charging at the capes when they were being moved around.
Since Spanish matadors have been using the muleta since the early 18th century, the association with bulls charging at the color red has become ingrained in people’s minds. In reality, though, the bull would charge at any waving muleta, regardless of its color.
So, if the color doesn’t make a difference to the bull, why are red muletas used? The answer has more to do with the audience than the bull. First, the elaborate costumes and red capes are considered an important part of the culture and tradition of bullfighting. Similar to how sports teams always wear the same colors, the red capes are seen as part of the bullfighting uniform.
There’s also a practical reason for using red. While there are some non-lethal bullfights, in most cases the bull is killed by the matador in the end. The red color of the muleta thus helps to conceal the sight of the bull’s blood.
Give It a Try
Grab your red cape, along with a few friends and family members, and prepare to explore the following activities:
- Are you ready to engage in a bullfight? Alright, that might not be the most suitable idea for a family-friendly activity. However, maybe you could simulate being a matador with a dog! Dogs are known to be man’s best friend, so why not give it a try? Grab a red cape or, if you don’t have one, use a small blanket or sheet of any color. Can you entice a dog to charge at your “cape”? If the dog is in a playful mood, it might enjoy some recreational “fighting” with your makeshift cape. Have a great time playing matador, even if it’s just with your beloved pet!
- Feeling creative? Attempt creating this enjoyable Spanish Matador Paper Doll Craft. You have the freedom to decorate the outfit however you like. What kind of matador attire would you prefer?
- Have you ever come across the Running of the Bulls? It’s an annual event in Pamplona, Spain, that attracts thousands of participants and spectators each year. Learn more about this intriguing tradition at Running of the Bulls online.
Sources of Wonder
- http://www.livescience.com/33700-bulls-charge-red.html
- http://www.discovery.com/tv-shows/mythbusters/mythbusters-database/color-red-makes-bulls-go-ballistic/
- http://brainlagoon.com/2014/01/16/does-the-color-red-really-make-bulls-mad/
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