The Singapore Merlion

Singapore's Mythical Beast - The Merlion

If you have been to Singapore, the Merlion is a sight that you cannot miss. This majestic beast of lion head and mermaid body is situated by the esplanade bridge at our city area.

Visit my shop for Merlion merchandise

How it came about

Designed by Mr Fraser Brunner, a curator of the Van Kleef Aquarium, the lion head represents the lion spotted by Prince Sang Nila Utama when he re-discovered Singapura in 11 AD, as recorded in the "Malay Annals". The fish tail of the Merlion symbolises the ancient city of Temasek (meaning "sea" in Javanese) by which Singapore was known before the Prince named it "Singapura" (meaning "lion" (singa) "city" (pura) in Sanskrit), and represents Singapore's humble beginnings as a fishing village.

Sizing

Measuring 8.6 metres high and weighing 70 tonnes, the Merlion statue was built from cement fondue by the late Singapore craftsman, Mr Lim Nang Seng. A second and smaller Merlion statue, measuring two metres high and weighing three tones, was also built by Mr Lim. The body was made of cement fondue, the skin from porcelain plates and eyes from small red teacups.

Other location of the Merlion

There are five official Merlions approved by the Singapore Tourism Board. This includes two at the Merlion Park (the work of sculptor Lim Nang Seng. finished in 1972) sculptor , one is the smaller Merlion and the other the main Merlion.

Other Merlions include:

* The one at Sentosa, which is a taller replica
* Mount Faber
* Tourism Court at Orchard Spring Lane