Articles
The Merlion
Topic
Society
Subtopic
Heritage
Identity and values
19 April 2024
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For many of us Singaporeans, the Merlion is a major part of what makes Singapore unique -- but have you ever wondered how and when did the Merlion become such a prominent national symbol?
As it turns out, there is a rich story behind how this came to be, steeped in folklore and history involving Singapore’s modern development.
According to folklore, the story begins with Prince Sang Nila Utama, who, upon setting foot on our shores centuries ago, spotted a mysterious creature resembling a lion, thus bestowing upon our island the name 'Singapura' or 'Lion City'. This inspired British ichthyologist (a professional who studies fish and aquatic creatures) Mr Alec Frederick Fraser-Brunner to design the Merlion as the logo of Singapore Tourism Promotion Board (STPB, current-day Singapore Tourism Board). The Merlion was also used as part of STPB’s promotional materials when the agency first started operations in January 1964.
Meant to embody our island’s history, the Merlion's fish-like body commemorates the island’s origins as a fishing village (then known as Temasek), while its lion-like head pays homage to our city’s original name, Singapura (“The Lion City”).
The sculpture was later crafted by local sculptor Mr Lim Nang Seng and completed in 1972 at the mouth of the Singapore River. In 2002, it was relocated to its present home at Merlion Park in Marina Bay, where it is today a popular site for tourists and locals alike to capture photos featuring the Merlion in humorοus and creative ways!
But more than just being a prime tourist attraction, its location overlooking the Marina Bay has allowed the Merlion to literally ‘see’ the area grow over the years with the development of the iconic Marina Bay Sands and surrounding infrastructure -- which today are ubiquitous with our bustling city-scape. In that sense, the Merlion’s ever-steady presence is also a testament to our progress we have made as a global economic and tourism hub.
Indeed the Merlion is an iconic symbol that resonates greatly with our Singaporean identity today. It serves as a reminder of our humble roots and a celebration of our achievements. But not only that, it can also serve as an inspiration for the present generation of Singaporeans to continue striving to create a future as vibrant and enduring as the waters that surround the statue.