Have you ever wondered about the beautiful wooden carvings that adorned the front of ships in the 16th to 20th centuries? Besides being absolute marvels of craftsmanship, they certainly must have a use, right?

The purpose of ship figureheads is quite interesting, and you might be surprised about why they were so popular.

History of Figureheads

The origin of ship figureheads and similar decorations goes back thousands of years. Figureheads were used by the ancient Greeks, but it's likely that they were in use even earlier. Some reports point to the Egyptians or Phoenicians as the earliest example, though specific examples and years aren't known.

The figurehead became more commonly used as galleons rose to popularity around the 13th century. Figureheads reached their peak around the 16th century, and from then on, almost every kind of ship displayed a figurehead of some sort. The practice began to decline in the 19th century, and by the 20th, they were all but a relic.

Why Were They Used Practically?

Ship figureheads were practical for a variety of reasons, chief among them being as identifiers. During these periods in history, the vast majority of the population was entirely illiterate. Some of these figureheads were used by the lower classes as ship identifiers.

That makes good sense. Can't read the words on the side? Just call it 'the one with the ram on the front.' Some of the same figureheads were used across endless ships, but they all had slight differences.

How many half-naked mermaid figureheads have you seen? Well, there are slight differences between them. Is it the mermaid that's missing her nose or the one with the scar on her face?

Why Were They Used Culturally?

Most world cultures widely accepted the ship's figurehead as representing the spirit of the ship itself.

Aside from being the spiritual representation of the ship, it is also believed to protect the ship from any disasters that might befall it. A figurehead of Poseidon might calm the seas, whereas something like a ram might provide the strength to fight your way through a storm no matter the odds.

Maybe storms aren't your concern? A swan figurehead can represent grace and mobility on the water. Symbolism is strong when it comes to figureheads.

What Creatures Make Good Figureheads?

The only real caveat that a figurehead has to meet is that it needs to have eyes. Without eyes, a ship can't find its own way. Since that's the only stipulation, the shapes that a vessel's figurehead can take are extremely varied.

Gods and goddesses are always solid picks. Animals are seen quite often as well, though they usually pick something a bit more conventional than an ape.

Dolphins, snakes, swans and bulls are seen fairly often, particularly in European vessels. Mythological creatures are also common picks.

Mermaids are everywhere, but dragons and minotaurs are also common. The Egyptians were particularly fond of holy birds, and the Phoenicians tended to use the head of a horse to symbolize vision and swiftness.

Greeks had a somewhat unconventional pick. They used the boar for its ferocity. The Romans didn't use an animal at all. Instead, they opted to go for a representation of their own fighting prowess with a carving of a centurion. It seems a bit self-absorbed, but it was functional enough to strike fear into the hearts of those who laid eyes on it.

For obvious reasons, the lion was a very common pick for warships of almost every nation. A nude woman also tended to be quite popular, but probably not for the reason that you think. There is a sailor's superstition that states women are bad luck on a ship, but a nude woman is supposed to calm rough seas.

What Are They Made From?

Depending on the importance of the ship, some figureheads could be quite large. The Prince Royal circa 1610 had a depiction of St. George slaying the dragon.

These larger figureheads carved from hardwood created some weight problems. In the 17th century, they were primarily elm, but this shifted toward lighter oak in the early to mid-18th century.

An order issued by the Navy Board in 1742 dictated that figureheads should be made from soft woods such as pine. Deal and teak were also quite popular due to their resistance to decay and wood-boring insects.

Once ships began to shift from wood to iron, the ship figurehead declined, and they eventually disappeared almost entirely.

Caring for Boat Wood

Teak is still a popular wood for boats and ships for the same reasons stated above. It is generally not used as something defunct like a figurehead; instead, it's usually found on the deck of a boat.

This means that it experiences much more wear and tear. Luckily it's relatively easy to protect and brighten your teak deck with Better Boat's boat deck teak brightener. Protecting the rest of your boat from UV damage can be just as simple with boat cleaner UV protector wipes.