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SG101
Articles

Merlion's 54th Anniversary

1 October 2026

Topic

Society

Subtopic

Heritage

While it's an iconic symbol, there's more to the Merlion than meets the eye.

One-star reviews?! Not everyone's a fan of the Merlion, it seems... But the Merlion was never meant to be just another tourist spot.

Unveiled on 15 Sep 1972 by then-Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, the first Merlion was constructed by local sculptor Lim Nang Seng. Its lion head pays homage to “Singapura”, Singapore’s original name which means “lion city”, while its fish body reflects our beginnings as a maritime trading settlement.

Originally located at the mouth of the Singapore River, the Merlion was moved to Merlion Park in 2002 — where it continues to stand today as a symbol of Singapore’s maritime heritage and the progress we’ve made.

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