Figurehead

A figurehead is like that toy on top of your birthday cake, except it's not a toy and it's on top of a big boat. The figurehead is usually a wooden or metal statue of a person, an animal, or a mythological creature, like a mermaid or a dragon. The figurehead is attached to the front of the boat, also known as the bow, and it's supposed to bring good luck and protect the crew and the ship from harm.

In the old days, people believed that figureheads could scare away sea monsters and evil spirits, and that they could communicate with the gods of the sea. Some figureheads were also used to show the identity or the purpose of the ship, for example, a figurehead of a king or a queen for a royal ship, or a figurehead of a dolphin for a ship that carried fish or seafood.

However, nowadays, figureheads are mostly used for decoration and tradition, and they are not as common as they used to be. But if you ever see a ship with a figurehead, you'll know that it's a special and unique vessel with a lot of history and stories to tell.