Red hair is a natural hair color that ranges from deep auburn to bright copper. It is caused by a variant of the MC1R gene, which affects the production of melanin, the pigment responsible for hair, skin, and eye color. Red hair is relatively rare, occurring in about 1-2% of the global population, with higher concentrations in regions like Scotland and Ireland. People with red hair often have fair skin and freckles, which can be attributed to the same genetic factors. This unique hair color has been celebrated in various cultures and is often associated with fiery personalities or mythical figures, such as Merida from the movie Brave.