The ancient rudder's different parts were distinguished by the following names: ansa, the handle; clavus, the shaft; pinna, the blade.
In the Bible, Paul's ship, which was shipwrecked on Malta, had its rudders (plural)[7] cut loose.
There are abundant depictions of Fortuna holding the gubernaculum on coins, in paintings, on altars and statues or statuettes.
[14] In mythology the rudder, which the goddess can steer, represents control of the changeable fortunes of life.
In the Biblical book of James, the author compares the tongue with a ship's rudder which, though physically small, makes great boasts.