Red hair is the rarest hair color, found in only 2% of the human population. Majority of redheads (or ginger if you prefer), are found in Ireland and Scotland.
Individuals with this hair pigmentation are often overlooked and misunderstood. But why?
In this article, let’s educate ourselves and shine the spotlight redheads so deserve.
First things first,
Why Are Redheads Called Ginger?
There are several theories that attempt to explain the origin of the term ‘ginger’ for redheads.
All these theories are speculative as there is really no record on why redheads are called ginger.
Here are 3 popular theories:
1. Ginger Root
The first theory explains that redheads are called ginger because of the ginger root.
Red ginger is quite spicy and fiery and during the 19th century this was used to refer to hot tempered people. Since most redhaired people were perceived as ‘hot tempered’ the name landed and stuck.
Further, history has it that in the late 1700-1800s, the British had set up some residence in Malaysia where the ginger root was very common and blooming, this made the referencing stick even more.
2. South Park
Another theory is that the name ginger was popularized following the airing of the South Park episode, ‘Ginger kids’.
The episode ‘ginger kids’ was met with a lot of criticism as it was said to be inciting discrimination against red heads whom they referred to as gingers.
Following the showcasing of the episode, there was a rise in bullying of redheads online and even in person. The term ginger being used in a derogatory connotation.
2. Gilligan’s Island
Gilligan’s island is a tv show that run in the 60s and featured a red haired character whose stage name happened to be… you guessed it, Ginger Grant!
The term gained even more popularity having made its statement in pop culture. Since then people started calling redheads ginger as they had similar hair as that of Ginger Grant.
Related: Can Black People Have Red Hair?
Myths About Redheads
Obviously as these are just myths, if you are a redhead do not take any of these to heart. 🙂
1. Gingers have a hot temper
Yeah sure, the color red may represent passion and fire but does it necessarily mean every redhead is hot tempered. There has to be a calm one right?
And well, hot temperedness can be found in other people, not just redheads. Any person with any colored hair can be volatile so we should give red heads a break.
2. Gingers are more prone to bee stings
We can agree that the brightness of gingers’ red hair might be quite attractive to many other species. However, there is no research or scientific backing of these claims.
Additionally, bees are more sensitive to scent rather than color and they cannot even see the color red so this debunks the myth.
3. Red heads are going extinct
It is said that gingers are declining in numbers and sooner rather than later they will be erased from the globe.
As much as they are few, red heads are going nowhere. Many people carry the recessive gene for red hair and could easily bear red haired children in future generations.
4. Gingers have no souls
Popularized by the infamous South Park episode, Gingers are said to be soulless and therefore just random creatures walking the earth. They are associated with evil and linked to witches. How ridiculous!
What’s more bonkers is the fact that people took this myth seriously from a parody cartoon! The episode was satirical and aimed at depicting the baseless prejudice against red heads which obviously didn’t go to well.
Facts About Redheads
1. They are more sensitive to pain.
It has been scientifically proven that gingers need more doses of anesthesia and are more difficult to sedate than people with different hair colors.[1]
So, as much as it sounds a bit skeptical, it is a fact that redheads have a much lower pain tolerance.
Now that one I didn’t see coming!
2. Redheads bruise easily
A trip to the dentist is definitely no one’s cup of tea but for red heads it’s more of a nightmare.
Research shows that gingers are slightly more susceptible to bruising than regular folks and therefore need to be more careful. [2]
3. Redheads are more prone to sunburns
People with red hair have fairer skin as compared to a majority of the population and the sun is definitely not a friend to them. The MC1R variant gene leads to reduced production of melanin in the body which is a shield against UV rays.
Without proper protection in the sun. The UV rays may lead to melanoma and other skin related conditions so stay careful. [3]
4.Gingers are more sensitive to weather changes
If you hear a red-haired person complaining that it’s too cold yet you don’t feel the same; yeah, it’s because they feel more thermal pain.
Reports have shown that people who possesses the MC1R have very sensitive thermo-receptors that can be easily triggered. [4]
What Causes Ginger Hair?
The culprit behind the red hair color is none other than melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R) which is found on chromosome 16.
MC1R has various variants which reflect the red hair we see on many individuals.
Should parents be carriers of this gene, there’s a high chance they may bear children possessing this trait. Therefore, it is very possible for non-gingers to give rise to a ginger baby if they carry this gene. [4]
Things Not to Say to A Person with Ginger Hair
1. ‘Are you hot tempered?’
Saying this to any person is not good at all, but to a ginger-haired person it’s particularly offensive because you can be sure they hear this a lot and it’s annoying.
2. ’Aren’t red heads related to the occult’
I’m pretty sure a ‘hello, how are you?’ would be sufficient. There’s no need to bring up the superstitious l stuff on the basis of the color of someone’s hair. Am sure you wouldn’t enjoy being asked the same, would you?
Just because red hair is rare does not necessary mean someone is in cahoots with the devil.
3. ‘I don’t find red headed people attractive’
Of course, it’s a free world and everyone is allowed to have their own taste but it is not necessary to verbally deem a given hair color unattractive.
4. ‘Can you go outside into the sun?’
As much as they have skin that is easily triggered, red haired people aren’t indoor prisoners. They can still go out.
5. ‘Why don’t you dye your hair?’
Red hair is stunning and anyone can handle their hair as they please.
6. ‘Is your whole family ginger, or is it just you?’
It can get a little hurtful asking a redhead this. We know redheads are rare, no need for lots of questions.
When is National Redhead Day?
The national redhead day is every last weekend of August.
It first began in 2005 by an artist called Rouwenhorst who planned an exhibition depicting 15 red haired models. The photoshoot formed the genesis of the redhead day which is now inclusive of both men and women.
Bottom-line;
Red hair is unique, beautiful, majestic and elegant. It is definitely not subpar to any other color and should be showcased in it’s true light and beauty.
