[67] However, a later study of 468 healthy adult patients found no significant difference in recovery times, pain scores or quality of recovery in those with red compared with dark hair in either men or women.[70]. In: Vogelstein B, Kinzler K (eds) The genetic basis of human cancer, 2nd ed. Approximately 2-6% of the US population is redheaded, giving the US the largest redhead population in the world at 6-18 million people. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Additional Redhead Sightings The MC1R gene is also responsible for freckles in many redheads. The USA has the highest redhead population of any country in the world, boasting between 6 and 18 million redheaded citizens. In the Netherlands, there's a two- day summer festival in early September devoted to celebrating reed hair. Shawn Hitchins at the Edinburgh Ginger Pride march, US actress Julianne Moore with fellow redheads. As they can't sufficiently absorb Vitamin D (it's down to their lower melanin-concentration), redheads internally produce their own Vitamin D when they're exposed to low light conditions. [52][53], Red hair is the rarest natural hair color in humans. [98] A possible fringe theory explaining the historical and modern mistreatment of red-heads supposedly stems from subjugation and consequent persecution of Celtic Nations. Riverdale actress Madelaine Petsch is a proud natural ginger, as is House of Cards alum Kate Mara. Early artistic representations of Mary Magdalene usually depict her as having long flowing red hair, although a description of her hair color was never mentioned in the Bible, and it is possible the color is an effect caused by pigment degradation in the ancient paint. The percentage typically ranges from approximately 2%-6%, and it apparently has the largest ginger population in the world. 16:12, 17:42. There is little or no evidence to support the belief that people with red hair have a higher chance than people with other hair colors to hemorrhage or suffer other bleeding complications. 31. Red hair is caused by mutation in a gene called MC1R, which controls hair color. However, present bearers of the name are by no means all red-haired themselves. And in most of Africa it is exceedingly rare to see somebody with red hair. Redheads on average need about 20% more anaesthetic when they go into the hospital for surgery. Both of these characteristics come from recessive genes, which typically come in pairs. The data is from the most recent year available from the World Bank API. Most red hair is caused by the MC1R gene and is non-pathological. Jennie is a Manchester native who discovered a love of teaching and travel whilst teaching at a kindergarten in China, and has spent her time since then becoming an expert in both. A Sea of Grass [14] The Volga region still has one of the highest percentages of redheaded people. That's according to a study by a German sex researcher who found that women with red hair had sex more often. [107], In December 2009 British supermarket chain Tesco withdrew a Christmas card which had the image of a child with red hair sitting on the lap of Father Christmas, and the words: "Santa loves all kids. This is due to their light, fair skin which is extremely sensitive to ultraviolet rays of sunlight. [11][12] Later by the 10th century, Southern Slavic populations would have darker hair and skin tone, as the Slavs assimilated the indigenous inhabitants of the Balkans, including Greek and Illyrian peoples. 68. English comedian Catherine Tate (herself a redhead) appeared as a red-haired character in a running sketch of her series The Catherine Tate Show. We hope you love our recommendations for products and services! The scientific explanation for this is that recessive traits usually come in pairs, and left handedness is also a recessive trait. [55][56], A DNA study has concluded that some Neanderthals also had red hair, although the mutation responsible for this differs from that which causes red hair in modern humans. [33] A phenotype study of Hmong People show they are sometimes born with red hair. Last show, let's make it wild x, See YOU tonight on @abcnetwork at 10/9c for a Sexy, powerful and fearless fashion show on your for @victoriassecret THE #victoriasecret FASHION SHOW BABY #vsfashionshow #redheadlove. This is one of the many strange facts about redheads. Because it holds its pigment tighter than any other hair colour, red strands need to have their pigment stripped before being dyed by bleaching which, of course, damages the hair. During the Spanish Inquisition, people of red hair were identified as Jewish and isolated for persecution. [71] Melanocytes, the cells that produce pigment in skin and hair, use the MC1R to recognize and respond to MSH from the anterior pituitary gland. For other uses, see, Medical implications of the red hair gene, Prejudice and discrimination against redheads. [40] The ancient peoples Budini and Sarmatians are also reported by Greek author to be blue-eyed and red-haired, and the latter even owe their names to it. A: Debra Messing, best known for her turn in Will and Grace, is naturally blonde but is one of the worlds best loved redheads. The "chart" is probably a lot more interesting than talking aboutmelanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) - that's the gene that when mutated is likely to be responsible for causing ginger hair. 52. A common belief about redheads is that they have fiery tempers and sharp tongues. We rely on sunshine to make vitamin D and if you have very dark skin, it's harder to make that vitamin D.". Fun fact: Both Kidman and Graham are part of the worlds tiny community of people who have both redhair and blue eyes! That establishes Ireland as the most red-haired country in Western Europe. Estimates suggest that the percentage of redheads in Scotland is roughly 6%. For example, Esau and David (Gen. 25:25; 1 Sam. The gene that controls hair color also controls production of melanin, the skin pigment that makes people tan. Also, Riffians and Kabyles in Morocco and Algeria respectively have red hair among them. [59], Melanin in the skin aids UV tolerance through sun tanning, but fair-skinned persons lack the levels of melanin needed to prevent UV-induced DNA-damage. Americans aren't the only ones who like to celebrate their fiery locks. He grew up, however, a remarkably attractive-looking young man. The genetics of red hair mean for a child to be a redhead, both their parents must have the mutated MC1R gene. Some scientists think that the protein mutation that causes red hair and fair skin makes redheads more sensitive to pain and therefore its more difficult to anesthetize them. Less than two percent of the world's population has naturally red hair. The melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R gene) causes the body to produce more pheomelanin, which is responsible for red and ginger hair tones. A new study found that 30 percent of network television ads during prime time featured someone with red hair.In case you were wondering, no, redheads are not that common. "[125], The first and only festival for red heads in the United States was launched in 2015. Redhead is a person with red or reddish-tinted hair. Genetic studies of dizygotic (fraternal) twins indicate that the MC1R gene is not solely responsible for the red hair phenotype; unidentified modifier genes exist, making variance in the MC1R gene necessary, but not sufficient, for red hair production. Cosmopolitan participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. One of the few other places on earth that can remotely rival the population of redheads in Ireland is Scotland. Asian redheads are occasionally found in Northern Kazakhstan, particularly among the Uyghur ethnic people. This means red hair is unlikely to disappear any time soon. Putting names to archive photos, The children left behind in Cuba's mass exodus, In photos: India's disappearing single-screen cinemas. 99. In purely numerical terms, it is highly likely that the US has the highest number of people. Shame the fellas weren't questioned, too. A: While this may seem an outlandish question, numerous scientific studies have found that people with red hair have different (and often more intense) sensitivity to pain compared to those with other hair colours. The takeaway Due to genetic complexities, there's not a clear-cut way to determine. Kenny, E, et al., "Melanesian Blond Hair Is Caused by an Amino Acid Change in TYRP1", Rees JL (2002a) Molecular phototypes. Lalla Salma, Morocco's Queen, names one famous person from this region who has red hair, by the way. [115] Despite this ambiguity, it is a widely used term. . [32] The ethnic Miao people of China are recorded with red hair. In Irish myth, the mystical races of the Tuatha de Danaan and the Sithe are both said to have ginger hair. 43. Superstar actress Nicole Kidman is perhaps Australias best known redhead, while British model Alexina Graham became the first ever ginger beauty to walk the Victorias Secret Fashion Show in 2018. It is estimated that approximately 2% of the worlds population has naturally red hair. Services % of GDP. The highest percentages of fair-haired people can be found around the Baltic Sea (e.g. Nowadays, the recessive gene thrives mainly in Scotland, Ireland and Scandinavia, leading to theconfusion surrounding its origin. It's also known as Love Your Red Hair Day. East Asians seem to have the most Neanderthal DNA in their genomes, followed by those of European ancestry. [111], In September 2011, Cryos International, one of the world's largest sperm banks, announced that it would no longer accept donations from red-haired men due to low demand from women seeking artificial insemination.[112]. Industry % of total employment. Mummies with red hair have been found as far afield as Peru and Egypt. Much like their Irish counterparts, this part of the world is recognized as the most prominent area on the planet for redheads. Are the Shrine Drop It toners worth the hype? ), are described as "admoni", meaning red or ruddy.[44]. 40. Russia just might be named after a redhead: the name is thought to come from a Viking called Rurik, meaning 'red'. That's followed by blonde hair. 50. In the Chinese historical document Kang mu, the Kipchak people are described as red haired and blue eyed.[35][36]. A couple of months ago this map did the rounds. It is significant that in ancient Egypt, as Manetho tells us, human sacrifices were offered at the grave of Osiris, and the victims were red-haired men who were burned, their ashes being scattered far and wide by winnowing-fans. 70 Incredible Facts About Redheads: How Much Do You Know About The Rarest Hair Color? 15. 53. In her spare time she can be found up to her elbows in a craft project or curled up somewhere comfy with a book and a hot cup of tea. Q: Are redheads more likely to be right or left handed? What's the least amount of exercise we can get away with? If you're a redhead with blue eyes, you're a unicorn. " In Ireland about 10 per cent have red hair, but it appears that a staggering 46 per cent are carriers of the red head variants," Moffat told the Daily Telegraph, " For England, the estimate is 6. A: Yes, red hair is a genetic mutation (albeit a stunning one!) A: Roughly one to two percent of the world's population are born with natural red hair - that's still a sizable number of about 140 million! [127], MC1R Magazine is a publication for red-haired people worldwide, based in Hamburg, Germany. 27. What science tells us about the afterlife. According to F.M Savina of the Paris Foreign Missionary Society, the appearance of the Miao was pale yellow in their skin complexion, almost white, their hair color often being light or dark brown, sometimes even red or corn-silk blond, and a few of them even have pale blue eyes. There are more redheads in northern and western Europe than in any other region on earth, where an average of up to six percent of people have red or ginger hair. There was someone from Glasgow saying it was 19% in just the population of Scotland.". Check out these facts about animals you have all wrong. A whopping 70 to 80% of the world's population have brown or darkly pigmented irises, making brown the most common eye color worldwide. Only 1 to 2 percent of the world's population are redheads (those with two copies of a recessive gene on chromosome 16). In Anne of Green Gables, a character says of Anne Shirley, the redheaded heroine, that "her temper matches her hair", while in The Catcher in the Rye, Holden Caulfield remarks that "People with red hair are supposed to get mad very easily, but Allie [his dead brother] never did, and he had very red hair.". 26 May is World Redhead Day. The melanin that ginger haired people possess almost always takes the form of freckles, which are actually just concentrated patches of melanin. Abusing us is not acceptable prejudice", "Harriet Harman says 'ginger rodent' comment was wrong", "Harriet Harman apologises for 'ginger rodent' jibe at Danny Alexander", "Sperm bank can't find takers for red-haired genes", "Academic Traditions, Urban Dynamics and Colonial Threat: The Rise of Ethnography in Early Modern Japan", "Japanning for southern barbarians: Some of the first items traded with the West were decorated with maki-e lacquer", "The Irish Redhead Convention takes place in County Cork", "Ginger Pride festival will be held in 2016 to celebrate redheads", "Israel holds first conference for 'gingers', Fifty shades of orange: A conference on Kibbutz Gezer redheads, Finally, a Red Alert This Summer That (Most) Israelis Welcomed, "Photos: We Visited The Only Festival For Redheads In The U.S.", "Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible", "Biblos Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Red_hair&oldid=1141867721, Geographic Names Register of NSW not in Wikidata, Articles containing Chinese-language text, Wikipedia indefinitely move-protected pages, Wikipedia indefinitely semi-protected pages, Articles with unsourced statements from January 2023, Articles with unsourced statements from July 2012, Articles containing simplified Chinese-language text, Articles containing Japanese-language text, Articles containing Scottish Gaelic-language text, Articles containing Ancient Greek (to 1453)-language text, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 27 February 2023, at 07:09. (Hucknall, who says that he has repeatedly faced prejudice or been described as ugly on account of his hair colour, argues that Gingerism should be described as a form of racism. What is the percentage of redheads in the world? Dark hair turning red can be a sign of protein deficiency. The International Journal of Cancer reported in 2010 that natural redheads are approximately two and a half times as likely to develop the dangerous cancer as people with other hair hues. Many of the hair samples appear red in color, and one skull from the cemetery had a preserved red moustache. Red hair is as a result of a genetic variant that causes the cell to produce pheomelanin. For more interesting facts, take a look at Scorpio facts and hazel eyes facts. Making up 10 percent of the population, Ireland has more redheads than anywhere else on the globe. Nonetheless, individuals and families in Britain are targeted for harassment and violence because of their hair colour. The epithet is sometimes rendered as ang mo kui () meaning "red-haired devil", similar to the Cantonese term gweilo ("foreign devil"). If theyre Ashkenazi Jews, about 3.6% of the women have red hair, and 10% of Jewish men have red beards. (If you have freckles, youre probably a carrier). Nicole Hahn Rafter (ed), Lombroso & Ferraro, Discrimination against people with red hair, "Celts' red hair could be attributed to the cloudy weather", "Auld Reekie is world capital for ginger hair", "Edinburgh is surprise capital of redheaded Britain and Ireland", "Memoir on the Pigmentation Survey of Scotland", "Pastoralists and mobility in the Oglakhty cemetery of southern Siberia: new evidence from stable isotopes", Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, "Journal of the Polynesian Society: Front Matter P 1-6", Xenophanes of Colophon: Fragments, Xenophanes, J. H. Lesher, University of Toronto Press, 2001, "Characterization of melanocyte stimulating hormone receptor variant alleles in twins with red hair", "Evidence for Variable Selective Pressures at MC1R", "Hair color gene study sheds new light on roots of redheads' locks", "Genome-wide study of hair colour in UK Biobank explains most of the SNP heritability", "Why do some men have red beards, but not red hair? It also has been shown that individuals with pale skin are highly susceptible to a variety of skin cancers such as melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma. Research has found that it is most likely because of their hairs resemblance to bright flowers. Redheads have less hair, with only 90 000 strands compared with an average 110 000 for blondes and 140 000 for brunettes. [105] The word "rufus" has been used in both Australian and British slang to refer to red-headed people;[106] based on a variant of rufous, a reddish-brown color. From the gene mutation that causes red hair to whether or not redheads are really more likely to get skin cancer, you'll find all the biological facts about redheads in this section. Both parents must be carriers of the mutated MC1R gene to be able to produce redhead offspring, of which there is a 25% chance if they don't have red hair themselves. If two redheads have a baby, the child will always have red hair. People of any ethnicity can have red hair. [94] In 2007, a UK woman won an award from a tribunal after being sexually harassed and receiving abuse because of her red hair;[95] in the same year, a family in Newcastle upon Tyne, was forced to move twice after being targeted for abuse and hate crime on account of their red hair. Studies by Bodmer and Cavalli-Sforza (1976) hypothesized that lighter skin pigmentation prevents rickets in colder climates by encouraging higher levels of vitamin D production and also allows the individual to retain heat better than someone with darker skin. 33. 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." Most (natural) redheads will have brown eyes, followed by hazel or green shades. It's called Redhead Day. 38. The Telegraphreport that red hair is also common among certain communities in Russia, as well as among Ashkenazi Jews. [fn 1][9], Byzantine writers, Jordanes and Procopius described the early Slavic peoples as having ruddy hair and skin tone. Film and television programmes often portray school bullies as having red hair. One consequence of this is that a number of people have both dark hair and red beards. Bizarrely, redheads require greater amounts of anaesthetic during surgical procedures. 47. Q: Who is the hottest redhead in the world? . It is not likely to disappear at any time in the foreseeable future. [104] More recently, they have been referred to as "rangas" (a word derived from the red-haired ape, the orangutan), sometimes with derogatory connotations. Reddish-brown (auburn) hair is also found amongst some Polynesians, and is especially common in some tribes and family groups. Red hair colour is also relatively common in Wales, England, Iceland and Norway. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. 21. We also link to other websites, but are not responsible for their content. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so its important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family. This may reflect the presence of a single copy of the MC1R gene, leading to differential expression in the beard versus the scalp hair. In 2003, a 20-year-old was stabbed in the back for "being ginger". The sex lives of women with red hair were clearly more active than those with other hair colors, with more partners and having sex more often than the average, Hamburg sex researcher Professor Werner Habermehl told the Daily Mail, after leading a survey of 6,000 German women through the Hamburg Medical Research Institute in Germany. The term ang mo (Chinese: ; pinyin: hng mo; Peh-e-j: ng-mo) in Hokkien (Min Nan) Chinese, meaning "red-haired",[113] is used in Malaysia and Singapore, although it refers to all white people, never exclusively people with red hair. [79] In the Indian medicinal practice of Ayurveda, redheads are seen as most likely to have a Pitta temperament. [128], In ancient Egypt, red hair was associated with the deity Set as well as Ramesses II. This map shows the stark gap between vaccination programs .