Hair Colors: Difference between revisions

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Hair Color is one of the most easily identifiable traits of an individual. The color and style of a person's hair is one of the first things the brain uses to identify who we are seeing. (This is why we tend to confuse people who have similar hair styles and color). Because of this, hair color is often used in media to distinguish different characters. Over time, specific hair colors have gained associated symbolism.
Hair Color is one of the most easily identifiable traits of an individual. The color and style of a person's hair is one of the first things the brain uses to identify who we are seeing. (This is why we tend to confuse people who have similar hair styles and color). Because of this, hair color is often used in media to distinguish different characters. Over time, specific hair colors have gained associated symbolism.


In Western media, female, blonde characters have two major symbolic associations: [[Hair of Gold]] and [[Dumb Blonde]]. [[Brainy Brunette|Brunettes are Brainy]]. [[Fiery Redhead|Fiery Redheads]] are [[Hot Blooded]]. There are some others too. [[Tall Dark and Handsome]] tend to be preferred as leading men. [[Blond Guys Are Evil]]. Some of these are rarer than others, and none are hard and fast rules. Blond and red are particularly stereotypable, since most humans tend to have either dark brown or black hair.
In Western media, female, blonde characters have two major symbolic associations: [[Hair of Gold]] and [[Dumb Blonde]]. [[Brainy Brunette|Brunettes are Brainy]]. [[Fiery Redhead|Fiery Redheads]] are [[Hot Blooded]]. There are some others too. [[Tall, Dark and Handsome]] tend to be preferred as leading men. [[Blond Guys Are Evil]]. Some of these are rarer than others, and none are hard and fast rules. Blond and red are particularly stereotypable, since most humans tend to have either dark brown or black hair.


In Eastern media, hair colors are usually treated differently than in the West. This is simply because there are not many blonds or redheads in Asia. For example, in Japan, blonde hair is associated with delinquents, because Japanese delinquents tend to dye their hair blonde.
In Eastern media, hair colors are usually treated differently than in the West. This is simply because there are not many blonds or redheads in Asia. For example, in Japan, blonde hair is associated with delinquents, because Japanese delinquents tend to dye their hair blonde.


The increasing global nature of media is causing Western and Eastern tropes about hair colors to mix. For example, [[Fiery Redhead]] was a Western trope, but it is now used in Japanese Anime. This may be because it already fits with other Eastern tropes such as [[Red Oni Blue Oni]].
The increasing global nature of media is causing Western and Eastern tropes about hair colors to mix. For example, [[Fiery Redhead]] was a Western trope, but it is now used in Japanese Anime. This may be because it already fits with other Eastern tropes such as [[Red Oni, Blue Oni]].


Animation provides even more options than the typical blonde, red, and shades of brown and black. [[Western Animation]] has usually stuck to more natural colors, while occasionally using slight variations that work better in the medium; such as using dark blue or purple to highlight black hair, or using light blue instead of gray. Japanese [[Anime|Animation]], however, has decided to use a far greater variety of hair colors than can be explained by nature. After all, [[You Gotta Have Blue Hair]]. For a further discussion of Japanese Anime and Hair Colors, see [[Useful Notes/Hair Color in Japan|Hair Color in Japan]].
Animation provides even more options than the typical blonde, red, and shades of brown and black. [[Western Animation]] has usually stuck to more natural colors, while occasionally using slight variations that work better in the medium; such as using dark blue or purple to highlight black hair, or using light blue instead of gray. Japanese [[Anime|Animation]], however, has decided to use a far greater variety of hair colors than can be explained by nature. After all, [[You Gotta Have Blue Hair]]. For a further discussion of Japanese Anime and Hair Colors, see [[Useful Notes/Hair Color in Japan|Hair Color in Japan]].
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* [[Blondes Are Witches]]
* [[Blondes Are Witches]]
* [[Blond Guys Are Evil]]
* [[Blond Guys Are Evil]]
* [[Dark Skinned Blond]]
* [[Dark-Skinned Blond]]
* [[Dumb Blonde]]
* [[Dumb Blonde]]
* [[Everyone Loves Blondes]]
* [[Everyone Loves Blondes]]
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==== For black, brown and dark hair: ====
==== For black, brown and dark hair: ====
* [[Brainy Brunette]]
* [[Brainy Brunette]]
* [[Eerie Pale Skinned Brunette]]
* [[Eerie Pale-Skinned Brunette]]
* [[Raven Hair Ivory Skin]]
* [[Raven Hair, Ivory Skin]]
* [[Shiny Midnight Black]]
* [[Shiny Midnight Black]]
* [[Tall Dark and Bishoujo]]
* [[Tall, Dark and Bishoujo]]
* [[Tall Dark and Handsome]]
* [[Tall, Dark and Handsome]]


==== For red hair: ====
==== For red hair: ====
* [[Dark Skinned Redhead]]
* [[Dark-Skinned Redhead]]
* [[Evil Redhead]]
* [[Evil Redhead]]
* [[Fiery Redhead]]
* [[Fiery Redhead]]
* [[Significant Green Eyed Redhead]]
* [[Significant Green-Eyed Redhead]]
* [[Heroes Want Redheads]]
* [[Heroes Want Redheads]]
* [[Redheaded Bully]]
* [[Redheaded Bully]]
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** [[First Gray Hair]]
** [[First Gray Hair]]
** [[Skunk Stripe]]
** [[Skunk Stripe]]
* [[Rose Haired Girl]]
* [[Rose-Haired Girl]]
* [[Shy Blue Haired Girl]]
* [[Shy Blue -Haired Girl]]
* [[Silver Fox]]
* [[Silver Fox]]
* [[White Haired Pretty Boy]]
* [[White-Haired Pretty Boy]]
* [[White Haired Pretty Girl]]
* [[White-Haired Pretty Girl]]
* [[You Gotta Have Blue Hair]]
* [[You Gotta Have Blue Hair]]


{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}
[[Category:Cyclic Trope]]
[[Category:Cyclic Trope]]
[[Category:Colour Coded for Your Convenience/Sandbox]]
[[Category:Colour Coded for Your Convenience]]
[[Category:Colour Coded for Your Convenience]]
[[Category:Personal Appearance Tropes]]
[[Category:Personal Appearance Tropes]]

Revision as of 14:28, 7 January 2014

Brown, Black, Blond, Red, Orange, Pink, Green, Blue, Purple, Silver...
"And for some reason, I got blue hair. You Gotta Have Blue Hair."
—Strong Bad, describing his Anime counterpart Stinkoman, Homestar Runner, "Japanese cartoon".

Hair Color is one of the most easily identifiable traits of an individual. The color and style of a person's hair is one of the first things the brain uses to identify who we are seeing. (This is why we tend to confuse people who have similar hair styles and color). Because of this, hair color is often used in media to distinguish different characters. Over time, specific hair colors have gained associated symbolism.

In Western media, female, blonde characters have two major symbolic associations: Hair of Gold and Dumb Blonde. Brunettes are Brainy. Fiery Redheads are Hot Blooded. There are some others too. Tall, Dark and Handsome tend to be preferred as leading men. Blond Guys Are Evil. Some of these are rarer than others, and none are hard and fast rules. Blond and red are particularly stereotypable, since most humans tend to have either dark brown or black hair.

In Eastern media, hair colors are usually treated differently than in the West. This is simply because there are not many blonds or redheads in Asia. For example, in Japan, blonde hair is associated with delinquents, because Japanese delinquents tend to dye their hair blonde.

The increasing global nature of media is causing Western and Eastern tropes about hair colors to mix. For example, Fiery Redhead was a Western trope, but it is now used in Japanese Anime. This may be because it already fits with other Eastern tropes such as Red Oni, Blue Oni.

Animation provides even more options than the typical blonde, red, and shades of brown and black. Western Animation has usually stuck to more natural colors, while occasionally using slight variations that work better in the medium; such as using dark blue or purple to highlight black hair, or using light blue instead of gray. Japanese Animation, however, has decided to use a far greater variety of hair colors than can be explained by nature. After all, You Gotta Have Blue Hair. For a further discussion of Japanese Anime and Hair Colors, see Hair Color in Japan.

Compare Characteristic Clothing Colors.

Tropes

General hair color tropes:

For blond hair:

For black, brown and dark hair:

For red hair:

For baldness:

For other hair colors:

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