Merlion

Lore & Background

The Merlion was conceptualised by vice-chancellor Kwan Sai Kheong of the University of Singapore and constructed from November 1971 to August 1972 by sculptor Lim Nang Seng. The original statue stood at the mouth of the Singapore River in Merlion Park. Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew officiated its installation ceremony on 15 September 1972. The statue measures 8.6 metres high and weighs 70 tons, costing about S$165,000.

After the completion of the Esplanade Bridge in 1997 blocked views of the Merlion, and due to land reclamation and a water pump malfunction in 1998, the statue was relocated. From 23 to 25 April 2002, the statue was moved 120 metres away to a new Merlion Park on a reclaimed promontory in front of the Fullerton Hotel. Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew returned on 15 September 2002 to ceremonially welcome the statue to its new home. The relocation and new site cost S$7.5 million.

On 28 February 2009, the Merlion was struck by lightning, cracking its mane and creating a hole at the base. It was restored and reopened on 18 March 2009. There are six STB-approved Merlion statues in Singapore, including the original, a smaller 'cub', and a 37-metre-tall replica at Sentosa that closed on 20 October 2019.

Reader's Guide

The Merlion holds profound significance as Singapore's national personification, embodying the country's origins and identity. Its fish body represents Singapore's origin as a fishing village called Temasek, meaning 'sea town' in Javanese, while its lion head references the original name Singapura, meaning 'lion city'. Designed by Alec Fraser-Brunner for the Singapore Tourism Board logo in 1964, the Merlion became a trademarked symbol in 1966 and remains protected by the STB Act, requiring approval for any use.

The Merlion's legacy extends beyond official branding into popular culture. It appears in anime such as Cowboy Bebop and JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, in the 2021 film My Hero Academia: World Heroes' Mission, and in music with Dutch artist Johnny Lion's song 'Merlion City Singapore'. It is ranked in Japan as one of the 'Three Major Disappointments of the World' alongside The Little Mermaid of Denmark and Manneken Pis of Belgium. The statue's relocation in 2002, costing S$7.5 million, and its subsequent maintenance and lightning strike restoration demonstrate the ongoing care for this iconic symbol. Merlion statues also exist outside Singapore in countries including Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, China, Cambodia, and the United Kingdom.

Did You Know?

• The Merlion's name combines 'mer', meaning the sea, and 'lion'.
• The original Merlion statue was constructed from November 1971 to August 1972 by sculptor Lim Nang Seng.
• The Merlion was struck by lightning on 28 February 2009, cracking its mane and creating a hole at the base.
• There are six STB-approved Merlion statues in Singapore, including a 37-metre-tall replica at Sentosa that closed on 20 October 2019.