The origin of the Spanish Paso Doble dance represents a bullfight, where the male takes over the role of the bullfighter, while the woman represent the red cape of a toreador and not the bull, as it is often assumed. The man and woman move together around the imaginary bull, while they present flamenco elements and feature arena fights with stylized figures.

Its present form was created in France. Since 1959 it is one of the five dances of the Latin American program of international ballroom competition.