The superstition that a redhead should never be chosen as a bridesmaid, for fear she will steal the groom, reflects a long and complex history of prejudice against people with red hair, particularly women. This seemingly bizarre belief is rooted in historical misconceptions, religious interpretations, and cultural anxieties surrounding female sexuality and trustworthiness.

Historical Background: Distrust of redheads is not a modern phenomenon. As early as the 12th century, the Middle English poem Proverbs of Alfred cautioned against the ‘rede mon,’ whom it described as wicked and likely to give evil counsel. While not specifically targeting women, this sentiment laid the groundwork for future negative associations. The rarity of red hair, affecting only about 4% of the global population, further contributed to its mystique and othering.

Cultural Beliefs and Religious Connotations: The negative portrayal of redheads is particularly evident in religious contexts. In Jewish mythology, Lilith, the first wife of Adam, is consistently depicted with red hair. Lilith, cast out of the Garden of Eden for refusing to accept Adam’s superiority, is said to have consorted with the Devil and birthed demon offspring. Her fiery red hair symbolizes her rebellious nature and alleged sexual dominance. This association paints red-haired women as assertive and potentially dangerous.

This theme continues with Eve in Christian iconography. Michelangelo’s Temptation and Fall in the Sistine Chapel depicts Eve initially with brown hair, but in the subsequent fresco showing her expulsion from the Garden of Eden, her hair is painted red. This transformation signifies her sin and fall from grace, directly associating red hair with transgression and temptation.

Evolution of the Superstition: By associating red hair with sin, seduction, and untrustworthiness, the groundwork was laid for the specific superstition concerning bridesmaids. The fear that a red-haired bridesmaid will use her perceived powers of temptation to seduce the groom is a direct extension of these historical and religious beliefs. This fear suggests that red-haired women are inherently prone to infidelity and disruption, qualities considered dangerous in the context of marriage. Other superstitions arose from this sexualized reputation. For example, there were beliefs that red-haired children were the result of their mothers’ indiscretions.

Modern Interpretations: While the severity of these superstitions has diminished in many parts of the world, remnants of this distrust persist. The belief that a redhead shouldn’t be a bridesmaid is now largely seen as an outdated and offensive stereotype. However, the underlying historical and cultural context remains relevant in understanding the origins and persistence of prejudice based on physical appearance. While Denmark considers giving birth to a redhead an honor, Corsica retains the tradition of spitting and turning around if you encounter one, highlighting the wide range of opinions. Modern interpretations are more likely to view the superstition as a humorous anecdote rather than a serious warning, but the historical roots remind us of the power of unfounded prejudice.