Many barbers doubled as surgeons and performed blood letting. Some prepared the deceased for viewings, as well as the living. Although black and white poles are rumored to be mortician's poles among the collector community, very little information is available to substantiate that claim.

Many modern barber poles have a blue stripe, which some historical sources cite as a tribute to the colours of the America flag. In Europe, the blue stripe was meant to differentiate barbers from doctors, as the two professions gradually began to grow apart.

The terms barber, hairdresser, and hair stylist are often used interchangeably, but there are some differences in their meaning. Technically, a hairdresser is the same as a hair stylist, although the term “hairdresser” is a bit out of fashion and was used primarily to refer to females.

It represents the colour of blood. During the Middle Ages monks were required to shave the crown of their head, a function commonly performed by itinerant barbers. Also, under ecclesiastic law, monks had to be periodically bled. This was supposedly a symbol of piousness, of devotion to God.