People with red hair are only 2 percent of the world's population. Redheads have always attracted a lot of attention. There are myths and legends about them. Many love them, and some are afraid.
God marks rogue
There is a curious mystical background in relation to redheads for centuries. The ancient Greeks believed that after death, red-haired people are reborn, and most often into vampires.
The Egyptians considered red-haired handsome men unlucky and preferred to sacrifice them to Amon Ra in the hope of ending the streak of failures that could haunt others.
The Spanish medieval inquisition automatically ranked redheads as the thieves of hellfire, they were recognized as sorcerers and witches and burned at the stake.
But the Romans, on the contrary, considered red hair a sign of incredible luck and even bought red-haired slaves as a talisman. In Polynesia, red-haired people were also noted as special. It was believed that sunny hair is a sign of a noble origin and a friendly disposition of divine powers.
In Russia, oddly enough, redheads were awarded a huge number of not the most pleasant proverbs and sayings, such as "red and red is a dangerous person" and "do not swamp the bathhouse with a black, do not lead friendship with a redhead." At the same time, our ancestors had different attitudes towards red-haired people of various origins: “God created a red-haired Zyryan, a devil created a red-haired Tatar”.
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By the way, Peter I issued a decree prohibiting red-haired people from holding high-ranking positions in the government and testifying in the courts: "… God still marks a rogue!"
Older than man
Red hair is acquired by inheriting a gene from each parent. It has been established that the age of the gene responsible for red hair, fair skin and freckles is from 50 to 100 thousand years. This means that it is much older than the genes of the Homo sapiens species, to which modern humanity belongs.
Dr. Rosalind Harding of Genetics and Microbiology at the Institute of Molecular Medicine. John Radcliffe, believes that this gene originated in the Neanderthals who inhabited Europe 200 thousand years ago.
The largest number of redheads lives in America - about 12 million. People with curly red hair are mostly found in Scotland and Ireland - 13% and 10% of the world's redheads, respectively. In general, 40% of the red-haired population of the planet are descendants of the ancient Celts, who were famous for their love of freedom and independence.
Record amount of pigment
Natural red hair contains a record amount of pigment, so it will be much more difficult to dye natural red hair than any other. Hair with this pigment is much thicker compared to dark and light hair. If you count the hairs on the head of a red-haired person and compare with a similar hairstyle, for example, of a blond, it turns out that the first hairs have about ninety thousand, while the second has about one hundred and forty thousand.
In addition, red-haired people turn gray in a special way - at first, the hair gradually acquires a lighter shade, and only then it becomes gray and silver. According to statistics, red shades are especially popular among young women who decide to dye their hair. This mysterious color seems to be created to simultaneously attract and scare away, in medicine even the term "gingerphobia" is officially recognized - the fear of red-haired people.
Hypersensitivity
It is believed that red-haired men and women are distinguished by a brighter temperament, very passionate and unrestrained. This fact is difficult to prove scientifically, but the increased sensitivity of the skin of red-haired people is known for certain - bruises and abrasions appear faster in them, and heal much longer than in people with dark and light hair.
In addition, according to Dr. Edwin Lyem of the University of Louisville in Kentucky, "fire" people need more anesthetic for various surgical procedures, including dental manipulations, since the pain threshold for redheads is quite low.
Another thing was noticed - among red-haired nurses, patients got to their feet much faster. The fair skin of red-haired people is much more exposed to ultraviolet radiation, which is why they need to pay special attention to sun protection. Scientists at the University of Newcastle concluded that human skin emits two types of melanin, which protects humans from dangerous radiation, and in the body of a red-haired person, one of these types is presented in insufficient quantities.
Psychological features
Hair and skin colors characterize the characteristics of the human nervous system. It is known that in fair-haired and blue-eyed people it is more sensitive and vulnerable, while people with dark eyes, hair and skin tones are less vulnerable to external influences.
Among all types, redheads are the most unstable type; anti-stress hormones are secreted from them in the least amount. People with red hair, at first glance, seem calm, but in fact they are most often characterized by a groovy character and belong to the choleric type. This sunny hair color is associated with fire, hence the stereotypes of an indomitable character, hot temper, and love of freedom.
According to psychologists, the majority of redheads from childhood have to experience great psychological pressure (which is only one thing "redhead, redhead, freckled, killed grandfather with a shovel!"). This gives them patience, unshakable decisions, independence, stubbornness and the ability to defend their own opinions.