Changes

* Red hair is found on people lacking Proopiomelanocortin (POMC). POMC deficiency causes severe obesity that begins at an early age. In addition to obesity, people with this condition have low levels of a hormone known as adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and tend to have red hair and pale skin.

* Red hair is found on people lacking Proopiomelanocortin (POMC). POMC deficiency causes severe obesity that begins at an early age. In addition to obesity, people with this condition have low levels of a hormone known as adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and tend to have red hair and pale skin.

== Culture ==

== Culture ==

Throughout history, redheads have been feared and revered, loathed and adored, degraded and exalted. No other single human trait has provoked such a dichotomy of emotions in such a large number of fellow humans.

Throughout history, redheads have been feared and revered, loathed and adored, degraded and exalted. No other single human trait has provoked such a dichotomy of emotions in such a large number of fellow humans.

Scots, with their high percentage of red haired people, are descended from the Celts, notoriously violent warriors. It is this perception that spawned many strange and fantastical beliefs and ideas about red hair.

Scots, with their high percentage of red haired people, are descended from the Celts, notoriously violent warriors. It is this perception that spawned many strange and fantastical beliefs and ideas about red hair.

Another belief is that redheads are highly sexed; for example, [[Jonathan Swift]] satirizes redhead stereotypes in part four of ''[[Gulliver's Travels]]'', "A Voyage to the Country of the Houyhnhnms," when he writes that: "It is observed that the red-haired of both sexes are more libidinous and mischievous than the rest, whom yet they much exceed in strength and activity." Swift goes on to write that "neither was the hair of this brute [a Yahoo] of a red color (which might have been some excuse for an appetite a little irregular) but black as a sloe". Such beliefs were given a veneer of scientific credibility in the 19th century by Cesare Lombroso and Guglielmo Ferrero. They concluded that red hair was associated with crimes of lust, and claimed that forty eight percent of "criminal women" were redheads.

Another belief is that redheads are highly sexed; for example, [[Jonathan Swift]] satirizes redhead stereotypes in part four of ''[[Gulliver's Travels]]'', "A Voyage to the Country of the Houyhnhnms," when he writes that: "It is observed that the red-haired of both sexes are more libidinous and mischievous than the rest, whom yet they much exceed in strength and activity." Swift goes on to write that "neither was the hair of this brute [a Yahoo] of a red color (which might have been some excuse for an appetite a little irregular) but black as a sloe". Such beliefs were given a veneer of scientific credibility in the 19th century by Cesare Lombroso and Guglielmo Ferrero. They concluded that red hair was associated with crimes of lust, and claimed that forty eight percent of "criminal women" were redheads.

=== Media, fashion and art ===

=== Media, fashion and art ===

[[File:Ariel by jirkavinse.jpg|thumb| The cultural icon Ariel, a teenage mermaid with red hair, seen in this modern 21st century new art by Jirka Vinse Jonathan Väätäinen]]

[[File:Lena Katina.jpg|right|thumb|Russian singer [[Lena Katina]] is known globally as a model as well. One of her beauty trademarks is her long red hair.]]

[[Queen Elizabeth I]] of England was a redhead, and during the Elizabethan era in England, red hair was fashionable for women. In modern times, red hair is subject to fashion trends; celebrities such as Nicole Kidman, Alyson Hannigan, Karen Gillian, Christina Hendricks, Emma Stone, Molly Ringwald, Ellie Kemper, [[Lauren Ambrose]] and Lena Katina can boost sales of red hair dye.  

[[Queen Elizabeth I]] of England was a redhead, and during the Elizabethan era in England, red hair was fashionable for women. In modern times, red hair is subject to fashion trends; celebrities such as Nicole Kidman, Alyson Hannigan, Karen Gillian, Christina Hendricks, Emma Stone, Molly Ringwald, Ellie Kemper, Lauren Ambrose and [[Lena Katina]] can boost sales of red hair dye.  

Sometimes, red hair darkens as people get older, becoming a more brownish color or losing some of its vividness. This leads some to associate red hair with youthfulness, a quality that is generally considered desirable. In several countries such as [[India]], [[Iran]], [[Bangladesh]] and [[Pakistan]], [[henna]] and [[saffron]] are used on hair to give it a bright red appearance.

Sometimes, red hair darkens as people get older, becoming a more brownish color or losing some of its vividness. This leads some to associate red hair with youthfulness, a quality that is generally considered desirable. In several countries such as [[India]], [[Iran]], [[Bangladesh]] and [[Pakistan]], [[henna]] and [[saffron]] are used on hair to give it a bright red appearance.

Many painters have exhibited a fascination with red hair. The hair color "Titian" takes its name from the artist [[Titian]], who often painted women with red hair. Early Renaissance artist [[Sandro Botticelli]]'s famous painting ''The Birth of Venus” depicts the mythological goddess [[Venus (god)|Venus]] as a redhead. Other painters notable for their redheads include the [[Pre-Raphaelites]], Edmund Leighton, [[Amedeo Modigliani]], and [[Gustav Klimt]].

Many painters have exhibited a fascination with red hair. The hair color "Titian" takes its name from the artist [[Titian]], who often painted women with red hair. Early Renaissance artist [[Sandro Botticelli]]'s famous painting ''The Birth of Venus” depicts the mythological goddess [[Venus (god)|Venus]] as a redhead. Other painters notable for their redheads include the [[Pre-Raphaelites]], Edmund Leighton, [[Amedeo Modigliani]], and [[Gustav Klimt]].

[[Sir Arthur Conan Doyle]]'s [[Sherlock Holmes]] story "The Red-Headed League" (1891) involves a man who is asked to become a member of a mysterious group of red-headed people. The 1943 film ''DuBarry Was a Lady'' featured red-heads [[Lucille Ball]] and [[Red Skelton]] in [[Technicolor]].

[[Sir Arthur Conan Doyle]]'s [[Sherlock Holmes]] story "The Red-Headed League" (1891) involves a man who is asked to become a member of a mysterious group of red-headed people. The 1943 film ''DuBarry Was a Lady'' featured red-heads [[Lucille Ball]] and [[Red Skelton]] in [[Technicolor]].

Red hair is a handy way to make characters stand out. Many Disney heroes and heroines begin their stories feeling like they don’t fit in, until they discover their true selves. Red heads in films or on TV are often portrayed as villains or with negative traits like fiery, unpredictable tempers, but not in [[Disney]] films or TV. Disney’s love affair with ginger is evident.

Red hair is a handy way to make characters stand out. Many Disney heroes and heroines begin their stories feeling like they don’t fit in, until they discover their true selves. Red heads in films or on TV are often portrayed as villains or with negative traits like fiery, unpredictable tempers, but not in [[Disney]] films or TV. Disney’s love affair with ginger is evident.

Notable fictional characters with red hair includes: Ariel, Jessica Rabbit, Leeloo, [[Gates McFadden|Beverly Crusher]], Angela Chase, Amy Pond, Pippi Longstocking, Daphne Blake, Dana Scully, Mary Jane Watson, Ginny Weasley, Gaila, Merida, Peter Pan, Jessie, Hercules, Eliza Thornberry, Tintin, Red Sonja, [[Erin Morris|Erin O'Byrne]], Mystique, Anna of Arendelle, Scarlett (Shana M. O'Hara), Claire Fisher, Claire Standish, Kimmy Schmidt, and Poison Ivy (character).

Notable fictional characters with red hair includes: Ariel, Jessica Rabbit, Leeloo, [[Gates McFadden|Beverly Crusher]], Angela Chase, Amy Pond, Pippi Longstocking, Daphne Blake, Dana Scully, Mary Jane Watson, Ginny Weasley, Gaila, Merida, Peter Pan, Jessie, Hercules, Eliza Thornberry, Tintin, Red Sonja, [[Erin O'Byrne]], Mystique, Anna of Arendelle, Scarlett (Shana M. O'Hara), Claire Fisher, Claire Standish, Kimmy Schmidt, and Poison Ivy (character).

=== Prejudice and discrimination against redheads ===

=== Prejudice and discrimination against redheads ===

Judas Iscariot, famously known for his betrayal of Christ, very much fuels the fire of redheads being deceitful, too. In nearly all depictions of him, his hair color is noted and commented on as red.

Judas Iscariot, famously known for his betrayal of Christ, very much fuels the fire of redheads being deceitful, too. In nearly all depictions of him, his hair color is noted and commented on as red.

This link between red hair and deceit can also be traced back to the tales of the headstrong and disobedient Lilith, who quarreled with Adam and seduced men in their sleep. She is regularly portrayed as a bewitching redhead, having mythical and seductive powers to match.

This link between red hair and deceit can also be traced back to the tales of the headstrong and disobedient Lilith, who quarreled with Adam and seduced men in their sleep. She is regularly portrayed as a bewitching redhead, having mythical and seductive powers to match.

==External links==

==External links==

*[http://www.eupedia.com/genetics/origins_of_red_hair.shtml Eupedia: Genetics: The genetic causes, ethnic origins and history of red hair]

*[http://www.eupedia.com/genetics/origins_of_red_hair.shtml Eupedia: Genetics: The genetic causes, ethnic origins and history of red hair]