Singapore Merlion Park
In 1964, a designer named Mr. Fraser Brunner, the souvenir committee
and the curator of the Van Kleef Aquarium, designed an emblem for the
Singapore Tourism Board.
A Merlion is a lion head and a fish body resting on crest of waves.
The design has a lot of symbolization. The Lion Head of the Merlion,
symbolizes the legend of the rediscovery of Singapura. The designers
gained the Knowledge of the design from the Malay Annals.
Singapore in ancient times was called Temeasek. Temeasek is a Javanese
word for the sea. During the 11th Century A.D the prince of Sri Vijaya
Empire rediscovered the Island Paradise. Prince Sang Nila Utama stated
as he landed on the shores of Singapore he saw a Mystical Creature.
The prince soon learned is revelation of this mystical creature, was
only a lion. He decided to name the island Singpura. Singpura means
Lion City. The tail of the Merlion is the remembrance of the ancient
city of Temasek and represents its humble beginnings.
The massive statue measures 8.6 meters high and weighs an awesome
70 tons. Mr Lim Nang Seng created the statue out of cement fondue. He
soon created a smaller version of the merlion, before his death. This
smaller version is made of the same cement, but his skin is porcelain
plates and the eyes are red tea cups.
On the Esplanade Bridge is the original location of the Merlion and
its cub. Now their living 120 meters from the bridge, in the Merlion
park The park is a popular tourist attractions and landmark of
Singapore.
The then Prime minister of Singapore, Lee Kuan Yew officiated the
movement of the Merlion and its cub, in a ceremony, on September 15th
1972. A bronze plaque commemorated the auspicious occasion with the
inscription, "The Merlion has been erected as a symbol to welcome all
visitors to Singapore".
One million visitors a year make the trip to the Merlion Park to
photograph this world famous icon and Singapore's beautiful
surroundings.