The bow of a ship is the part of the ship that faces forward when the ship is underway. The bow on ship is usually distinguished by a sharply angled hull, which provides less resistance, making it easier for the ship to plow through the water. While modern ships don’t boast figureheads anymore, you can conjure up an image of the bow on ship by imagining the part of a ship where carved figureheads of mermaids and people once sat.

Source: Cruise Critic