The Origin and Cultural Impact of Plague Doctor Costumes

Why Did Doctors Wear Beak Masks During the Bubonic Plague? 🔗

Few images in medical history are as striking (or as creepy) as those of plague doctors with their long, beaked masks. This peculiar costume, worn by physicians during outbreaks of bubonic plague in Europe, has become an enduring symbol of the disease. But why did doctors wear these strange masks, which surely must only have added to the fear felt by people in times of suffering? What purpose did the design serve? Here’s the reasoning behind the mask, which came about in an age when the true nature of disease transmission was still shrouded in mystery. The Origins of the Plague Doctor Costume Contrary to common belief, the plague doctor costume was not a medieval-era invention. Despite its common association with the Black Death — the name given to the bubonic plague pandemic that devastated Europe in the mid-1300s — there is no evidence ...Read More

Plague doctors are famously depicted wearing long, beaked masks, a costume that became symbolic of the bubonic plague. Contrary to popular belief, this distinctive attire was not worn during the initial Black Death in the 14th century but emerged later in the 17th century when plague outbreaks were still prevalent in Europe. The costume, attributed to French physician Charles Delorme in 1619, included a leather hat, gloves, a waxed linen robe, boots, and the beak mask. This outfit became widely adopted by plague doctors across Europe and even influenced Italian theater and carnival celebrations.

Why did plague doctors wear beak masks?

Plague doctors wore beak masks as part of a distinctive costume designed to protect them during outbreaks of the bubonic plague, although the true nature of disease transmission was still not understood at the time.

When did the plague doctor costume originate?

The plague doctor costume originated in the 17th century, with the first known use attributed to the French physician Charles Delorme in 1619, rather than during the medieval Black Death.

How did the plague doctor costume influence culture?

The plague doctor costume became a recognized symbol in Italy, influencing early comedic theater (commedia dell’arte) and carnival celebrations, and it remains a popular costume today.