Aristotle described them as brave but also believed red-heads to be evil characters because their hair-shade matched that of a fox. Īncient writers began forming conclusions in an attempt to rationalize red hair, often portraying them as warlike, uncivilized – yet also admirable. Their coloring is due to a mutation in the MC1R gene that fails to produce sun-protective, skin-darkening eumelanin and instead causes pale skin, freckles, and red hair.

Contrary to what many people assume, redheads did not originate in Scandinavia, Scotland, or Ireland, but in Central Asia around 100,000 years ago. Similarly, Judas, who infamously betrayed Jesus in the Bible, is often portrayed in medieval paintings as having flaming red hair and a crimson beard.īut let’s trace the interesting origins of red hair. She was often depicted as a red-headed woman. One of the better-known accounts is seen in Jewish mythology, detailing the appearance of Lilith, a comely demon who wreaked sensual havoc in the Garden of Eden. Perhaps this sinful yet desirable historical interpretation of red-heads began with some religious descriptions.

Throughout time, redheads have been portrayed as beautiful and brave or else promiscuous, wild, hot-tempered, violent, or immoral. Alternatively admired or ridiculed for the color of their crowning tresses, outlooks on red hair have always been polarized. Although natural red hair is more commonly admired now due to its distinctiveness, redheads have dealt with mixed attitudes towards them throughout history.

Ginger brave gif