Carved figure on the bow of many sailing vessels. A vessel without a figurehead has a "billet" head.

figure on the bow of some sailing vessels

A carved figure or bust on a ships prow.

In politics, a figurehead, by metaphor with the carved figurehead at the prow of a sailing ship, is a person who holds an important title or office yet executes little actual power. Common figureheads include constitutional monarchs, such as the Emperor of Japan, or presidents in parliamentary democracies, such as the President of Israel.