By Grace Chou
While contemplating what gifts to buy for friends back home, consider purchasing miniature models of the most well known icon of Singapore—the Merlion. Since 1972, the Merlion has attracted more than one million tourists every year to Singapore from all over the world. To Charles Lok representing Mongolia and Hue Zin representing Guinea Bissau, the Merlion symbolizes “strength, unity, and…. love!”An emblem designed by Fraser Brunner for the Singapore Tourism Board in 1964, the statue is made up of a lion head with a fish tail resting on a crest of waves that light up at night. The lion head represents the lion spotted by Prince Sang Nila Utama when he rediscovered Singapore in 11 A.D. The fish tail represents the ancient city of Temasek, which means “sea” in Javanese. Singapore was known as Temasek for before the Prince named it Singapura (meaning “lion city”). Temasek represented the country’s humble origins as a fishing village. Built by Mr. Lim Nang Seng, the Merlion is made of cement fondue, measures 8.6 meters high, and weighs 70 tons. Interestingly, the Merlion has a baby counterpart, also known was the Merlion Cub, located 28 meters away. Measuring 2 meters high and weighing 3 tons, the Cub is also constructed from cement fondue, with its outer layer from porcelain plates and eyes made from small red teacups. Pump systems are installed for both statues so the Merlion and its cub can spout water throughout the day and night. Singaporeans sometimes jokingly refer to this spouting as “spitting.”The original Merlion statue was located at the opening of the Singapore River. On September 15, 1972, Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew officiated the installation ceremony of the Merlion. On September 15, 2002, the Merlion was moved to Merlion Park, adjacent to One Fullerton. The statue now overlooks the scenic Marina Bay and welcomes all visitors to the beautiful country of Singapore. The statue was relocated to ensure that visitors have an unhindered view of this iconic landmark. A pier, which stretches into the bay, has been constructed so visitors can see and photograph the Merlion more easily. The Merlion gives Singaporeans a unified sense of belonging to their country, and represent the psychological defense of the nation. According to Foo chuan De, a Singaporean representing Chad, “I’ve seen the Merlion for all my life. To me the symbol represents our country, and it is a national icon for which the rest of the world recognize us.” Kevin Chu, an ICJ participant who has not seen the Merlion, speculates that “the Merlion is Singapore’s national symbol because it shows how Singapore can dominate both the land and the sea!”
While contemplating what gifts to buy for friends back home, consider purchasing miniature models of the most well known icon of Singapore—the Merlion. Since 1972, the Merlion has attracted more than one million tourists every year to Singapore from all over the world. To Charles Lok representing Mongolia and Hue Zin representing Guinea Bissau, the Merlion symbolizes “strength, unity, and…. love!”An emblem designed by Fraser Brunner for the Singapore Tourism Board in 1964, the statue is made up of a lion head with a fish tail resting on a crest of waves that light up at night. The lion head represents the lion spotted by Prince Sang Nila Utama when he rediscovered Singapore in 11 A.D. The fish tail represents the ancient city of Temasek, which means “sea” in Javanese. Singapore was known as Temasek for before the Prince named it Singapura (meaning “lion city”). Temasek represented the country’s humble origins as a fishing village. Built by Mr. Lim Nang Seng, the Merlion is made of cement fondue, measures 8.6 meters high, and weighs 70 tons. Interestingly, the Merlion has a baby counterpart, also known was the Merlion Cub, located 28 meters away. Measuring 2 meters high and weighing 3 tons, the Cub is also constructed from cement fondue, with its outer layer from porcelain plates and eyes made from small red teacups. Pump systems are installed for both statues so the Merlion and its cub can spout water throughout the day and night. Singaporeans sometimes jokingly refer to this spouting as “spitting.”The original Merlion statue was located at the opening of the Singapore River. On September 15, 1972, Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew officiated the installation ceremony of the Merlion. On September 15, 2002, the Merlion was moved to Merlion Park, adjacent to One Fullerton. The statue now overlooks the scenic Marina Bay and welcomes all visitors to the beautiful country of Singapore. The statue was relocated to ensure that visitors have an unhindered view of this iconic landmark. A pier, which stretches into the bay, has been constructed so visitors can see and photograph the Merlion more easily. The Merlion gives Singaporeans a unified sense of belonging to their country, and represent the psychological defense of the nation. According to Foo chuan De, a Singaporean representing Chad, “I’ve seen the Merlion for all my life. To me the symbol represents our country, and it is a national icon for which the rest of the world recognize us.” Kevin Chu, an ICJ participant who has not seen the Merlion, speculates that “the Merlion is Singapore’s national symbol because it shows how Singapore can dominate both the land and the sea!”
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