The design of the figurehead was based upon it's placement on the ship, where it was strongly exposed to weather and wind. It was fitted onto the ship's stem or stern post in a way that gave it a posture striving forward. The figurehead couldn't be too detailed, with things sticking out that ropes and lines would easily get stuck in. The forward leaning posture was very natural for it's placement. Many of the human figureheads therefore have an arm pointing forward, sometimes holding a tool or weapon. The forward reaching motion was underlined by turning the body sligthly and with one leg in front of the other. The face is serious and determined, turned straight forward. This strict focus on "forward" makes many figureheads look very much alike and gives them a somewhat forced expression.
Ole Lisberg Jensen