barber's pole
Spiral-striped shop sign
A barber's pole is the striped cylinder, traditionally red and white or red, white, and blue, that rotates outside barbershops as a trade sign.
The spiral pattern creates an illusion of continuous upward motion when spinning.
The red and white are said to represent blood and bandages from when barbers performed surgery and bloodletting.
Primary color, warm
- whiteAbsence of pigment
- bluePrimary color; also sad
- stripesParallel linear markings
- bloodlettingTherapeutic withdrawal of fluid
surgery · leeches · guild · icon · emblem · signage · trademark · spinning
Spiraling three-dimensional curve
- twistRotating motion or surprise
- coilWound circular arrangement
- spiralCurve winding around center
- stripesParallel linear markings
rotating · spinning · cylinder · wound · wrapped · twisting · swirling · corkscrew
Styling by trimming
- shaveCut hair close
- razorBlade for removing hair
- clippersHandheld cutting implements
- scissorsPivoted twin-blade cutter
trim · beard · mustache · chair · mirror · comb · apron · towel
Quality from past eras
- antiqueOld valued collectible
- heritageInherited cultural legacy
- traditionCustom passed through generations
- historyRecord of past events
bygone · yesteryear · nostalgic · old-fashioned · retro · classic · Americana · Main Street
red
Primary color, warm
bloodletting · surgery · leeches · guild · icon · emblem · signage · trademark · spinning · rotating
helix
Spiraling three-dimensional curve
stripes · rotating · spinning · cylinder · wound · wrapped · twisting · swirling · corkscrew · candy cane
haircut
Styling by trimming
scissors · trim · beard · mustache · chair · mirror · comb · apron · towel · lather
vintage
Quality from past eras
- antiqueOld valued collectible
- heritageInherited cultural legacy
- traditionCustom passed through generations
history · bygone · yesteryear · nostalgic · old-fashioned · retro · classic · Americana · Main Street · quaint