Redhead, Ginger, Carrot-top, Copperhead, Big Red, Brass, Cherry, Coppertop, Fire-ball, Fire-crotch, foxy, Raggedy Anne, freckle-face, Rusty, Wendy, and the list goes on and on! There are tons of names for redheads; some mild, some wild! But what has given redhead women this surrounding of fame? All from a hair color that all TRUE redheads are born with, of course! There are key moments in history that redheads have made a profound mark, and people have interpreted this. Making today’s redheads are either walking targets for jokes or much cruel tactics, or semi-formal celebrities in a crowd.

This story is believed to be true within the setting, yet very controversial still. This particular redhead woman was Adam’s first wife. Yes, like Adam from the Bible. See, controversy already! The story goes that Lilith and Adam were both created at the same time, that they were equal (unlike Eve, she was created from Adam). Then one day, I guess Adam started getting too bossy and demanding about her fetching some water, and she declared that she was an equal and would not serve Adam in any way. She then flew off into the stars and never returned. She was then declared a demon like creature by God himself. She was punished by having to lose 100 of her children a day. (See pretty interesting stuff!)

Poor Lilith. But she’s not the only redhead who has been condemned in the past. Many are taunted and bullied every day, just for their hair color. It starts in grade school and progresses every year. Childish taunts become sexual comments. Being a redhead myself, I remember how cruel kids could really be, over something I couldn’t really change at the age of five. The older I got, the worse it got. I was always paler, so I looked awkward in shorts and skirts. When I got old enough, I started highlighting my hair, trying to dull down the color. I never really liked it, though. I really enjoyed my red hair, and could never fully dye it another color, losing my natural red forever. Comments got more sexual, and the red hair color seemed to signal an open invitation to guys, young and old, and way old!

The sexuality of a “Ginger” (not a fan of this term, personally) has always been a hot topic. Why it’s always on the discussion board, I’ll never know for sure. Jonathon Swift once wrote, “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.” (From Gulliver’s Travels, part 4, A Voyage to the Country of the Houyhnhnms,), using the stereotype to his advantage, for sake of his story. In my personal experience, I am more adventurous than the other women my age around me, but I’m not sure it could be attributed to my hair color! Marilyn Monroe was born a natural redhead, and couldn’t seem to shake off her natural sexiness! Where did this rumor originate though? Catherine the Great, of Russia (royalty from 1762 until her death in 1796), is rumored to have been killed, after a harness that held up the horse she had sex with broke, allowing the horse to crush her. Yes, you read that right! Supposedly this woman had a horse hoisted above her bed, and she had sex with it one day, killing her in the process. Very big rumor, I’m aware. But these rumors are what have led to the image that surrounds redheads today, believe it or not!

George Washington was a redhead as well, although he has no sexual rumors following him that I know of! As was Winston Churchill, again no sexual rumors! There have been many red haired men in history that have added to the redhead image, as well as women. Some were leaders, such as Washington and Churchill. Some have been royalty, like Richard the LionHeart, and the current Prince Harry is even a redhead among us! The men have definitely added to the story of redhead’s history. More than likely, adding to the “Fiery temper part!” General George A. Cluster being known as a redhead as well!

While there are many rumors, myths, and images that redheads have trailing them in their lives, each redhead is a unique one! Some have freckles, some don’t. Some have a bright orange-red, while others have a deep auburn color. We’re still a rarity, definitely a minority of sorts! The Oxford Hair Foundation conducted a study in 2005 and found that redheads could be extinct by 2100!

Since less and less people are redheaded, there will eventually be a point where there is no more red hair! Currently, only 4% of the world population has red hair. Many have started campaigns following this finding, declaring, “Save the redheads!” I doubt though, that many redheads are choosing other redhead mates, based specifically on hair color. The gene that produces red hair is the Melanocortin 1 Receptor, found on the 16th chromosome. This gene is a mutation of another gene. This single mutated gene is responsible for producing red hair, and is also a recessive gene. Meaning that that both parents would have to give the child one Melanocortin 1 Receptor Recessive gene to produce a child with red hair. So, perhaps redheads will be extinct soon?

Redheads have many different rumors surrounding them. From temper, to sex preferences! Redheads have always been a point of interest for most. Some people seem to despise Reds, while some tend to fall head over heels for them! Why these myths and feelings about redheads are, or where they came from, we’ll probably never know for sure. So, if you’re a redhead like me, I say enjoy being unique!