The Caravel Sail is a sail that evolved from Lateen Sails both of which have strong Austronesian influences.
Yes — there is strong circumstantial and structural evidence that the caravel sails of the Portuguese, especially their lateen rigging, were influenced by earlier Austronesian sailing technology, particularly the crab-claw sail used on paraw and proa vessels.
Let’s break this down:
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🔹 1. Portuguese Caravel and Lateen Sails
The caravel (15th century) was the main exploration ship of Portugal during the Age of Discovery.
It used lateen sails (triangular sails on angled masts), which allowed it to tack against the wind, unlike square-rigged European ships.
This innovation was critical for long-distance ocean voyages, including to India, Africa, and later Asia and the Philippines.
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🔹 2. Austronesian Crab-Claw Sails — The Original Triangular Sails
Austronesians had already been using crab-claw sails for over 3,000 years before the caravel.
These sails were highly efficient, capable of upwind sailing, speed, and maneuverability.
Found in:
Philippine paraw
Indonesian prahu
Micronesian proa
The mast was often tilted forward, similar to the lateen sail structure.
Yes — there is strong circumstantial and structural evidence that the caravel sails of the Portuguese, especially their lateen rigging, were influenced by earlier Austronesian sailing technology, particularly the crab-claw sail used on paraw and proa vessels.
Let’s break this down:
---
🔹 1. Portuguese Caravel and Lateen Sails
The caravel (15th century) was the main exploration ship of Portugal during the Age of Discovery.
It used lateen sails (triangular sails on angled masts), which allowed it to tack against the wind, unlike square-rigged European ships.
This innovation was critical for long-distance ocean voyages, including to India, Africa, and later Asia and the Philippines.
---
🔹 2. Austronesian Crab-Claw Sails — The Original Triangular Sails
Austronesians had already been using crab-claw sails for over 3,000 years before the caravel.
These sails were highly efficient, capable of upwind sailing, speed, and maneuverability.
Found in:
Philippine paraw
Indonesian prahu
Micronesian proa
The mast was often tilted forward, similar to the lateen sail structure.
by Cyclonetrading July 28, 2025
Get the Caravel Sailmug. Hosto or husto (Filipino) is from the word host. Also HARVATERO. It means a male GRO in a nightclub in Japan or a male Geisha to be specific. A night-shift worker in general.
by Cyclonetrading June 21, 2021
Get the Hostomug. "It Bulaga" is the source of "Eat Bulaga," derived from "Peekaboo!" during the American Occupation of the Philippine Islands in 1898-1946. "It" means "Taya"; or in "Hide-And-Seek" is the "Seeker." "It" is the "Taya" in "It Bulaga", which evolved into "Eat Bulaga" to make toddlers eat their food, a corruption of Peekaboo! in the Philippines. Eventually it was made by Filipinos "Eat Bulaga" for toddlers to amuse them to make them eat their food while feeding them. When Joey De Leon used or copied "Eat Bulaga" in 1979 it was already AS SUCH. Hence, Eat Bulaga is generic. This definition is backed by evidence from The Rockefeller University and Central Philippine University. TVJ cannot Trademark or claim exclusive use of "Eat Bulaga." Peekaboo! Is "Eat Bulaga!" and it belongs to everyone.
by Cyclonetrading December 17, 2023
Get the It Bulagamug. by Cyclonetrading June 24, 2023
Get the Dabarkadzmug. by Cyclonetrading July 7, 2021
Get the Bang Bangmug.