Evening Republican, Volume 16, Number 283, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 November 1912 — What Figureheads Mean. [ARTICLE]

What Figureheads Mean.

When the wall of a city was built or the foundation of a public building was laid in ancient times” men used to supply the edifice with a guardian spirit by burying within it a human being. The ghost of the victim was supposed to take possession. of the structure and bless it with good fortune. And when a boat or ship was launched it was made to roll over the '•body of a man for the same purpose: Substitution of the bodies and blood of animals followed, and civilized peoples have softened the ceremony until only symbolic wine remains. The figureheads upon ships are remnants of the custom of binding the body of the immolated god upon the prow at launching, and they are still regarded as mascots.