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muleta
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Juan Belmonte in the bullfight's final act, the muleta (small cape) in his left hand and the estoque (sword) in his right. 1921 bullfighting promotion in Valencia
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muleta

bullfighting
Also known as: cape
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Juan Belmonte in the bullfight's final act, the muleta (small cape) in his left hand and the estoque (sword) in his right.
Juan Belmonte in the bullfight's final act, the muleta (small cape) in his left hand and the estoque (sword) in his right.

The muleta is a small, red cloth attached to a short stick, used by a matador in the final stage of a bullfight. It is distinct from the larger cape used earlier in the spectacle. The matador uses the muleta to perform a series of passes, guiding the bull and demonstrating mastery before the final kill. This final act, known as the faena, involves the matador alone with the bull.12

Francisco Romero, an early famous matador, is credited with reputedly inventing the muleta around 1726. The muleta is crucial for the matador to maneuver the bull, ultimately positioning it for the sword thrust between its shoulders.32

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3 Britannica Sources
  1. muleta
  2. bullfighting - Act three
  3. Francisco Romero

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