Banderillas

Banderillas are short, decorated barbed sticks used in the second phase of traditional bullfighting, the tercio de banderillas. They are embedded into the bull's shoulders by banderilleros to wound the animal and to provoke a more animated, sustained charge for the matador's later performances.

Each banderilla consists of a slender shaft, typically wooden or bamboo, with a sharp tip and a cluster of small barbs near the tip. The end is finished with colorful paper pennants or cloth streamers that provide a vivid display in the arena. The tension of the act lies in the precise placement of the banderillas to produce multiple puncture wounds and to affect the bull's neck and shoulder muscles.

During the second tercio, typically six banderillas are placed into the bull's back, usually on alternate sides, by banderilleros and their assistants. The procedure is timed to fit the rhythm of the corrida and is performed with the aim of injuring the bull without compromising the matador's safety.

Banderillas originated in Spain and became a standard element of modern bullfighting, and remain common in many rings in Spain and parts of Latin America where the sport is practiced. They are usually colored and visual features of the spectacle, contributing to the ritual aspects of the bullfight.

Ethical and legal considerations: Bullfighting remains controversial; animal welfare groups oppose the practice, and some jurisdictions have banned or restricted it, while supporters view it as a traditional cultural event.