Thursday 21 February 2013

Figureheads


Figurehead of Star of India at San Diego
named after Euterpe the Greek goddess of music and poetry

Figurehead of Presidente Sarmiento of Argentina

Figurehead of Cutty Sark in Greenwich London
the Witch Nanny Dee of Robert Burns 

Figurehead were ships' good luck charm and chief symbol.
It was believed that a ship couldn't sink as long as the figurehead remained attached. During fierce storm  if a woman bared her breasts, the storm would abate. This is why barebreasted women are often seen as ship's figureheads.



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© Zsuzsa Szuts 2010