The Merlion
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.
#Singapore #merlion #SG #STB #marinabay #tourism #majulah