The art of Bullfighting is a show full of danger, excitement, and thrills. The killing of the bull is still practiced to date in other countries however, here in the United States the show has evolved into the bloodless bullfight. In order to maintain the traditions of bullfighting, changes have been made to keep the integrity of the art, without causing harm to the bull. Before the bullfight starts, there is a parade in which the Bullfighters and their assistants enter the ring together proudly walking towards the judges box offering a salute to the plaza judge and his advisors. The head judge or “President” with his two advisors, who assist in judging the bullfight, stands and solutes the bullfighters as they enter the ring. The Bullfighters wear a customary and distinctive costume called a suit of lights inspired by the 18th century Andalucian clothing. After the parade, the most senior bullfighter, takes position on the opposite side of the ring from the where the bull will enter and the action begins. The Bullfight is a highly ritualized event consisting of three thirds called the opening third, the second third, and the final third.
OPENING THIRD THE BULL’S ENTRANCE/CAPE WORK
The first bull will enter the ring through the gate and the bullfighter and his assistants will begin to test and assess the bull’s behavior. All the bullfighters will be carrying a cape at this point. The cape is large and is usually managed with both hands. The bullfighter will step into the ring to officially open his performance using creative and stylish opening passes to take control of the bull. The work with the cape is often seen as one of the most visually appealing parts of the bullfight. The basic and most classic pass performed during this phase is called the “Veronica”. The “Veronica” is a maneuver in which the bullfighter stands with both feet in position and swings the cape slowly from the charging bull.
SECOND THIRD THE ACT OF THE BANDERILLAS
The banderillas are straight sticks made of wood, decorated in bright colors, with the spear being replaced with Velcro. The Velcro attaches the banderillas to a secured Velcro pad on the back of the bull. The lead bullfighter or his assistants may place the banderillas on the bull. This stage of the performance will take place at the discretion of the Bullfighter after assessing the bull’s condition. The Bullfighter will determine how many pairs, if any, will be placed onto the bulls back. This can range from 2-3 pairs. The placing of the banderillas signals the next and final act or third.
FINAL THIRD THE RED CAPE
In this final stage the bullfighter re-enters the ring alone with a small red cape. Prior to starting the work with the red cape the bullfighter will dedicate his performance to an individual or the entire audience. After this dedication, the bullfighter uses his red cape to attract the bull in a series of passes, which demonstrate his control over the animal while risking his life getting extremely close to it. The red color of the cape is a matter of tradition, as bulls are colorblind. The final third is traditionally where the bull is killed by a sword; however, in bloodless bullfighting we have adapted to save the animal. The bullfighter will plant a Velcro tipped banderilla, decorated in black, into the center of the bulls’ shoulder in a very risky face-to-face showdown. This marks the end of the performance and leads us into the awarding of trophies.
The President and his advisors award trophies according to the performance of the bullfighter and the bull by waving colored handkerchiefs. Input from the audience is taken into consideration.
The waving of one white handkerchief represents a good performance. The waving of two white handkerchiefs represents a better performance, and the ultimate and best performance receives the waving of 1 white and 1 red handkerchief. Traditionally a bullfighter would receive trophies of ears and tails of the bull, however, in the United Sates we have substituted the ears and tails with white and red flowers.
Good Performance – 1 bouquet of white flowers symbolizing 1 ear
Better Performance – 2 bouquets of white flowers symbolizing 2 ears
Best Performance – 1 bouquet of white flowers and 1 bouquet of red flowers symbolizing 2 ears and the tail
After the Bullfighter receives his trophies, he and his assistance take a celebratory walk around the plaza proudly displaying his awards. At this time, audience members may show their approval with applause while throwing items into the ring like flowers, hats, and flasks in which the Bullfighter will drink from and return to the audience.
AMERICAN BULLFIGHTING INFO
(Called in Spanish “TORO”)
- Bullfight is a misleading translation since it does not contain any fight. In Spanish it is called “CORRIDA DE TOROS”, literally meaning running of the bulls.
- Different from the original bullfight event, here in the US the bullfight is bloodless. There is no harm to the bull. Actually it is more dangerous for the Matador because the bulls are with all their brave strength.
- The bulls you will see are a special and unique “pure blood breed” called TOROS DE LIDIA or “fighting bulls.” They are the same bulls you will see at a bullfight event anywhere in the world.
- Black is the most common color, however they may come in other colors such as brown, grey, and paint.
- These bulls are not trained at all so their behavior is in their blood and genes.
- A bull has never been fought before and will never be fought again.
(Called in Spanish “TORERO”)
- These young men are professional Bullfighters.
- The attire they wear is only for the bullfight event and is called TRAJE DE LUCES “suit of lights,” because of the glittering.
- The hat they wear is called MONTERA. They might dedicate their performance by giving or throwing their hat to somebody in the audience or he may choose to dedicate it to the entire public by tossing it to the ground.
(Called in Spanish “AUTORIDAD DE PLAZA”)
- The authority is the people that oversee that the event is conducted according to rules. They are in charge of granting the trophies to the Bullfighter at the end of their performances.
- The authority is usually composed of three well-recognized persons, one of them is the judge and the other two are the advisors to the judge.
The Bullfighters are awarded according not only by their performance but the performance of the pair (the Bullfighter and the Bull). Sometimes it is the bull’s qualities that don’t allow the Bullfighters to exhibit their artistic ability.
The PLAZA JUDGE awards the trophies by waving a series of handkerchiefs.
Trophies are awarded as follows:
The public can influence the decision of the Judge in what will be awarded to the Bullfighter by participating and waving their handkerchiefs.