where does the term figurehead come from?”
“Figureheads” were originally carved figures on the prows of ships–often females or beasts–used from the the 16th to the 19th century. Figureheads were introduced with the galleons of the 16th century, as even though some earlier ships often had some form of bow ornamentation, the figurehead as such didn’t come into being until the 16th century. The purpose of a figurehead was to indicate the name of the ship to a non-literate society, or–in the case of naval ships–to demonstrate the wealth and might of its owner. In of the Baroque period, some ships boasted gigantic figureheads, often weighing several tons–which many times affected the handling and balance the ship.
figurehead has come to mean a person who is head of a group, company, etc., in title but actually has no real authority or responsibility: Most modern kings and queens are figureheads. Originally, a figurehead was a carved full-length figure or bust built into the bow of a sailing ship. To continue in more detail, I will quote Wikipedia: “A figurehead is a carved wooden decoration, often female or bestial, found at the prow of ships of the 16th to the 19th century. The practice was introduced with the galleons of the 16th century, as although earlier ships had often had some form of bow ornamentation, the figurehead as such could not come to be until ships had an actual head structure upon which to place it. “…the purpose of the figurehead was often to indicate the name of the ship in a non-literate society (albeit in a sometimes very convoluted manner); and always,
