Above, the elaborate painting on this narathiwat (fishing boat) from southern Thailand reflects the importance of these craft to the families that build and fish them. Below, the perahujaring of the island of Madura in the Java Sea is used for fishing or bringing fish from boats off shore to market, and is rigged with a triangular sail spread by two booms and fixed on a short mast, a Polynesian rig of great antiquity.
Above, inset, the bow decoration of this Portugese bota, derives from the much simpler oculus painted on ships' bows the world over to guide the vessels through perilous seas.