Ships Figureheads

Ships Figureheads – A Brief History

Ships figureheads were the ornamental carvings (either a bust or full-length figure) that would adorn the prow of sailing ships between the 16th and 19th centuries.

Many early civilizations used a form of a figurehead on the bow of their boats. Viking longboats would have animal figureheads, the Phoenicians favoured horses, the Greeks would paint oculi (eyes) to help show them the way and the Egyptians would use deities, for example, Thoth, the sacred ibis.  The figureheads were either used to bring good luck and ward off evil spirits or strike fear into opposing armies.

Figureheads really came into their own during the 16th century on sailing ships.  They had several uses.  They could signify the name of the ship to a largely illiterate society so a ship called the Dolphin would have a carving of a dolphin on the bow.  The figureheads could also be used to show off wealth and status, with bigger and more ornate figureheads becoming necessary to “prove” ones standing.   It soon became evident that these huge figureheads could affect the sailing dynamics of the ship, so by the 18th century, smaller busts or figures were used.  With the change in the design of ships the popularity of the figurehead declined.

It is still common practice for Royal Navy warships to carry ship badges that depict the name of the ship, the type of vessel and a pictorial design relevant to that ship.  For example, the aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal had a picture of a crown on a wooden ark.

But my favourite figurehead has to be that of HMS Victory.  The design of HMS Victory’s figurehead comprises two cupids supporting the royal coat of arms which is surmounted by the royal crown.  It bears the Latin inscription of the Order of the Garter: Honi Soit Qui Mal Y Pense. This translated to Shame to him who evil thinks.

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