Pleasing embellishments with ancient but gruesome origins
A figurehead is a carving of a bust or a full-length figure placed under the bowsprit at the boat’s bow. Some are of famous admirals looking stern and displaying the sterling qualities of leadership; others are of long-haired, bare-breasted women whose contribution to sailors’ morale and contentment was probably equally appreciated.Figureheads are a rarity these days, and more’s the pity, because they not only add interest and colorful detail to a boat, they also bring a touch of mystery that goes back to the origins of boating. They are, in fact, believed to represent the sacrifices that sailors made to the gods of the wind and sea—which is why they should always be carvings of human beings, never any other creature of land or sea.It has been suggested that in ancient times real human heads were placed on the bow of an important vessel starting her first voyage—more often than not, the heads were those of beautiful maidens. These were major sacrifices, of course, intended to ensure the safe passage of the vessel and her crew across stormy waters ruled by a few powerful gods and a host of minor ones.

Representative figureheads from the clipper ships Donald McKay, Morning Light, and Galatea.

The sacrifices also were supposed to provide the ships with their own soul because it was believed that every ship needed one. When the human head fell off the bow, it was a sign that the gods had accepted the sacrifice and the maiden’s pure soul had entered the ship.There is no actual proof that such practices ever prevailed, so we will probably never know the truth. Not that it matters much because mariners no longer dare sacrifice virgins for figureheads anyway, and maiden voyages are maiden in name only.See also Renaming a Boat; Unlucky Colors.

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