Ariel's hair was red in the original story. This is a well - known fact about her character. Her red hair was quite a significant part of her appearance, and it was one of the things that made her stand out. When you think about the original Ariel, that red hair is one of the first things that come to mind. It was part of the overall image that the creators had for her, and it has been maintained in many subsequent versions, although with some differences here and there.
In the original story, Ariel was indeed white. This was the traditional portrayal in the classic version of the story. It was part of the overall aesthetic and cultural context of that time. However, as times have changed, there have been different interpretations and adaptations that may vary this aspect, but in the very first incarnation, she was white.