In those days dragons, unicorns and other creatures of legend were used as figureheads. The legendary 'Golden Hind' of Sir Francis Drake carried an appropiate golden hind as a figurehead. During the 18th century the animals were replaced by gods and heroes. To the right, Ares, the god of war in his armour. He was the figurehead of a brig with the same name.
Popular belief sees figureheads as all female and beautiful beings.
This is disproved by history and stamps alike. The amounts of depicted men and women are nearly equal. To the right you can see a war hero at the bow of the steam corvette 'Karteria'. Figureheads are often designed and built in reference to the name of the ship. This stamp shows Boreas, the god of the northern winds, aboard the British frigate 'HMS Boreas'.