Singapore’s Iconic MerLion
Jan 4th, 2008 by Steven
The iconic Merlion needs little introduction. Its name is derived from ‘MERmaid’ and ‘LION’. There’re actually 5 official Merlions approved by the Singapore Tourism Board.
The one at the Merlion Park fronting Marina Bay is the original statue. It was originally sited at the opening of the Singapore River, and was unveiled in September 1972 by the then Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew. It was relocated to the current site in September 2002.
Designed by Fraser Brunner, a curator of the Van Kleef Aquarium, and crafted by the late Lim Nang Seng using cement fondue, it stands at 8.6 metres and weighs 70 tonnes. (A taller replica is found on Sentosa Island.)
The lion head represents the lion spotted by Prince Sang Nila Utama when he re-discovered Singapura in 11 AD. The fish tail symbolizes the ancient city of Temasek (meaning ‘sea’ in Javanese) by which Singapore was known before the prince named it ‘Singapura’ to mean ‘lion’ (singa) ‘city’ (pura) in Sanskrit.
Canon 350D: ISO 200 / 1/60 sec / F/6.3
Part of the Fullerton Hotel can be seen in the background. It was transformed from the neo-classical Fullerton Building, built in 1928. ( Lumix FZ20: ISO 80 / 1.4 sec / F/5.6)
When we were there, a large group of Japanese college students arrived. Note the guy in white shirt posing for a photograph. (Lumix FZ20: ISO 80 / 1/5 sec / F/2.8 )
This is a closer shot of that Japanese man. His friend was taking a photo where he appears to be ‘drinking’ from the merlion’s water spray. (Lumix FZ20: ISO 80 / 1/10 sec / F/2.8)
Another shot of the Japanese students in their unmistakable uniform (Lumix FZ20: ISO 80 / 1/10 sec / F/2.8)