The Truth About Red

Growing up, everyone has talked about bullfighting and often believe bulls hate the color red. It must be true because why else would bullfighters wave red capes to make the bulls charge? Why do they hate the color red? 

The simple fact is: they don't.

The truth is bulls are actually color blind. Apparently, they are only able to see colors such as blue, violet, green and yellow. So why do they charge at the red capes? The reality is that bulls are reactive to the movement of the cape rather than to its color. 

Because the bulls used in bullfights come from an aggressive breed, they are raised so they become agitated and attack at the first sign of any abrupt movement. These fighting bull breeds are bred and nurtured to be hostile, particularly in cramped spaces from which they cannot escape.

It is interesting how a majority of society believes that bulls are enraged by the color red. Why and how do so many people fall for this common misconception? Perhaps because the real reason is more violent, and many people are unaware. At the end of a show, the bullfighter kills the bull. The purpose of the red cape is to hide bloodstains from the bull.