The Red Shawl: The Festival of San Fermin

The Festival of San Fermin is better known as the Pamplona Bull Running Festival where its original essence as a religious celebration of the feast of San Fermin has been lost through the ages. In its stead are the week long festivities of music, drinking, dancing, street theatre and bullfighting. Wear a red scarf or shawl and youll blend well in the throng of people this side of historic Spain.



Just what is the significance of the color red in the San Fermin Festival other than it being particularly attractive to the eyes of the bull? The truth is, there is clearly no explanation as to why majority of the revelers in the San Fermin festivities wear red clothing or have red fashion accessories worn around their bodies.



Perhaps it has something to do with what the color red conveys. Red is well known as the most emotionally intense color as it is often associated with faster heart beats as well as breathing. It is a very powerful magnet for the eyes to behold, often making the wearer look a lot heavier. These characteristics of the color red make it a perfect choice in sheer festive atmospheres.



Bull fighting has nothing to do with the color red, however. Contrary to popular belief, bulls and all animals for that matter are color-blind. So it does not actually matter whether you are wearing a red colored shawl or a gray or black one. Chances are, the bull will only see shades of gray cloth. What matters more are the agitated movements youll make as you run from them.



The Pamplona Bull Running Festival was not at all an original July festival but rather an October event. More specifically it coincided with the Feast of San Fermin on the 10th of October, a celebration which began as early as the thirteenth century. However, because of the growing number of varied festivities aside from the usual religious undertones, the festival was essentially moved to the more weather-friendly month of July.



When you do decide to travel and participate in the Feast of San Fermin, you can bring with you your favorite red colored shawl as a symbol of being one with the festive community. As we have earlier mentioned, red denotes the peak of emotions, one that is clearly evident in the many activities of the feast. Furthermore you will be doing justice to your shawls overall versatility and elegance.



Just make sure though to observe some of the guidelines that the festival organizers have set. Since the Bull Run itself occurs every day during the whole duration of the festivities, it is generally recommended for beginners to watch first the run from a safe distance. Only when you have mustered enough courage to run with the bulls will you experience the thrill of being chased by a rampaging bull.



If you decide to just watch by the sidelines, make sure never to go beyond the fence the authorities have put in place. There have been many incidents of bulls running right smack into fences, injuring some of the spectators. You just might have your favorite shawl ripped to smithereens if you just happen to be in the way of the bulls horns.



Watching from the balcony of a lodge or a hotel along the route of the Bull Run is a lot safer for a great number of tourists. You can wave your red-colored handkerchiefs, scarves or even shawls as the bull runners taunt and run with the bulls. This way, you get to feel the festive energy rise throughout the Bull Run route and feel one with them.



Of course, the main idea about the Feast of San Fermin is for you to have the experience of your life. Wearing your red colored shawl will certainly make the festivities even more memorable for you.