MERLION
The Merlion and its Significance
The choice of the Merlion as a symbol for Singapore has its roots in history, The Merlion commemorates the ancient name and the legend taken from the "Malay Annals" (literary and historical work from the 15th or 16th century) explaining how Singapore received its present name.
In ancient times, Singapore was known as Temasek which is Javanese for the sea. It was then, as it is today, a center of trade.
At the end of the 4th century A.D, Temasek was destroyed by the Siamese, according to some historians, but by the Javanese according to others. As recorded in the legend in the Malay Annals," Prince Nila Utrama of the Sri Vijaya empire rediscovered the island later in the 11th century A.D. On seeing a strange beast (which he later learnt was a lion) upon his landing he named the island Singapura which is a Sanskirt word for Lion (Singa) City (Pura).
The Merlion, with its fish-like body riding the waves of the sea, is symbolic of the ancient city of Temasek. At the same time, its majestic head recalls the legend of the discovery of Singapore by Prince Nila Utama in the 11th century, when Singapore received its present name.
The Merlion at the Singapore River
Today, the 26-foot Merlion is located at the mouth of the Singapore River on the tip of a small promontory which has been landscaped into an attractive little park complete with fountain. The entire project cost about $165,000. It was started in November 1971 and completed in August 1972.
The Merlion project was conceived because it was felt that Singapore needed a distinctive symbol with which it can be identified. The Merlion statue was built by a local craftsman, Lim Nang Seng, who has won several prizes in the Singapore Handicraft and Design competition organised by the Board in 1970.
The commemorative Bronze Plaque for the Merlion bears the inscription: "The Merlion has been erected as a symbol to welcome all visitors to Singapore". It was formally installed at a ceremony on 15 September 1972 by Mr Lee Kuan Yew, then Prime Minister.
T his website is copyright© 2003 INC All right reserved Email me if you see this in other website.
™
