photo Hunter — "six "

This part of the gondola is called the fero

(iron). It sits at the bow, whose shape mimics the 

curve of the Grand Canal. At the top is a

stylized doge's cap. The six "teeth" below that

represent the six sestieri (from "sesto," which

also means six) of Venice: Castello, San Marco,

Canareggio, Santa Croce, San Polo, and Dorsoduro.

(Or at least that's what I've been told.)

[See more interpretations of the theme "six" here

at tnchick's Photo Hunter blog.]