Merlion singapore

The Merlion is a mythical statue with a lion's head and fish body, an iconic symbol of Singapore located at Marina Bay.

About this subject

The Merlion, created by New Zealand sculptor James Wilkinson in 1964, was originally designed as part of the logo for the Singapore Tourism Board. The original statue, standing 8.6 meters tall and weighing 70 tons, was installed at the mouth of the Singapore River in 1972, at Merlion Park. In 1997, a smaller replica, 2 meters high, was erected on Sentosa Island. The figure combines a lion's head, representing the city's name (Singapura means "lion city" in Sanskrit), and a fish's body, symbolizing Singapore's origins as a fishing village. The Merlion spouts water from its mouth, a popular attraction for tourists. In 2002, the main statue was relocated to its current location near Helena Elizabeth Bridge, offering a stunning view of the Marina Bay Sands skyline and the Singapore Flyer. The Merlion is one of the most photographed monuments in the country, representing Singapore's cultural identity and entrepreneurial spirit. Interestingly, the statue suffered damage in 2009 due to a lightning strike but was quickly restored. There are five official replicas of the Merlion scattered across Singapore, including one on Mount Faber and another at the National University of Singapore's sculpture garden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Merlion of Singapore symbolize?

The Merlion symbolizes Singapore's identity: the lion's head represents the city's name (Singapura means 'lion city' in Sanskrit) and the fish body recalls Singapore's origins as a fishing village.

Where is the original Merlion statue located?

The original Merlion statue is located at Merlion Park, near Marina Bay in Singapore, at the foot of Helena Elizabeth Bridge.

How many Merlion statues are there in Singapore?

There are five official replicas of the Merlion in Singapore, including the main one at Merlion Park, one on Sentosa Island, on Mount Faber, in the National University of Singapore's sculpture garden, and elsewhere.