* Red hair - blessing or curse?

In the Bible:
In some biblical stories, evil is depicted by red hair. For example Judas, who betrayed Jesus for money, is described with red hair. Eve, too, is often drawn with red hair when eating the fruit of the Garden.

Middle Ages:
Red-haired women were often regarded as witches; they were persecuted and not rarely executed.

Renaissance:
In the 16th and 17th century, red hair was fashionable.

In the 19th century:
Red-haired children were "evidence" that their mother had had an affair with the devil. Many pieces of advice went around explaining what might be done against red hair. Quite often those ideas were rather unhealthy.

During the World War II:
The Nazis discussed whether two red-haired persons should be allowed to get married for fear of "degenerate" children.

End of the 20th century:
Red hair is currently considered as a sign of youth (often women from 30 onwards have their hair dyed red).

Red hair is a symbol of emancipated women and for women who sometimes and assertively act nontraditionally.

Today red hair is almost considered common. Red tints and dyes for hair are constantly in much demand.