The common image of a raging bull charging at a matador’s red cape is deeply ingrained in popular culture. This dramatic scene, often depicted in movies and cartoons, suggests that the color red itself incites aggression in bulls. However, this widespread belief is a misconception, as the truth about bull behavior and vision is far more nuanced than popular belief suggests.
The Myth of the Raging Red
The notion that bulls are angered by the color red is a pervasive myth. Bulls do not react to the specific hue of red; rather, their aggressive response is triggered by movement. Studies have demonstrated that bulls respond with equal fury to capes of various colors, such as white or blue, provided they are in motion. This indicates that the color of the cape is not the primary factor inciting the bull’s charge.
What Truly Provokes Bulls
Bulls are primarily provoked by sudden, erratic movements, which they perceive as a threat. In a bullfight, the matador’s actions, including the flapping and waving of the cape (muleta), are what truly agitate the bull and cause it to charge. The bullring environment, with its loud noises and the taunting presence of the matador, further contributes to the bull’s agitation. Bulls are naturally territorial animals and may become aggressive when feeling threatened or challenged. Their instincts as prey animals can also lead them to react defensively when cornered or perceiving danger.
The Science of Bull Vision
The biological reason bulls do not react to the color red stems from their vision. Bulls, like most other mammals, are dichromats, meaning their eyes contain only two types of cone cells for detecting color, unlike humans who are trichromats with three. This limited color vision means bulls primarily perceive colors in shades of yellow, blue, and gray. Red, to a bull, appears as a shade of yellow, green, or even gray, similar to how a person with red-green color blindness (protanopia) would see it.
Why the Myth Endures
The enduring myth of the raging red can be attributed to several cultural and historical factors. Bullfighting traditions, which have used red capes for centuries, have cemented this imagery in the public consciousness. The visual impact of a bright red cape in the dramatic setting of a bullring creates a powerful, albeit misleading, impression for spectators. The red color of the muleta serves a practical purpose for the audience: it helps to mask the sight of blood from the bull during the fight. This combination of tradition, spectacle, and practical utility has perpetuated the widespread misconception in popular culture.