The Merlion - In Myth and In Pictures

The Merlion's current home is adjacent to One Fullerton, on a newly constructed 2,500 square metre park. One Fullerton offers a choice of waterfront restaurants, lounges and dance clubs.
The area also comprises a promontory with terraced seating, and a viewing deck to hold up to 300 people as well as a boat landing point that allows visitors to disembark from river taxis. The viewing deck provides photographers with unrivalled vistas of the Merlion against the city skyline and the scenic Marina Bay, including landmarks such as The Fullerton Singapore and Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay.

The Merlion Cub is located 28 metres behind the Merlion. Pump systems for the Merlion and the Merlion cub have been installed to enable both to spout water throughout the day and night.

Q: Who designed the Merlion?
A: The Merlion was designed in 1964 by Mr Fraser Brunner, a member of the souvenir committee and a curator of the Van Kleef Aquarium. On 20 July 1966, the Merlion was registered as the trademark of STB.

Q: Who built the Merlion?
A: The Merlion statue, measuring 8.6 metres high and weighing 70 tonnes, was built by the late Singapore craftsman, Mr Lim Nang Seng. The Merlion cub was also built by Mr Lim.



Q: What is the Merlion made of?
A: The body of the Merlion is made of cement fondue, the skin from porcelain plates and eyes from small red teacups.

Q: What does the Merlion symbolise?
A: The Merlion has a lion head and a fish body resting on a crest of waves. The lion head symbolises the legend of the rediscovery of Singapura, as recorded in the "Malay Annals". In ancient times, Singapore was known as Temasek, a Javanese word for sea. In the 11th century A.D, Prince Sang Nila Utama of the Sri Vijaya Empire rediscovered the island. When the Prince first landed on Singapore's shores, he sighted a mystical beast which he later learnt was a lion. The Prince then decided to name the island "Singapura" which in Sanskrit means Lion (Singa) City (Pura). The fish tail of the Merlion symbolises the ancient city of Temasek and represents Singapore's humble beginnings as a fishing village.

Q: Where was the Merlion's original home?
A: The Merlion was originally located by the Esplanade Bridge, just 120 metres from their present location. Both the Merlion and the cub was moved between 23 and 25 April 2002.



Q: How was the move done?
A: The process involved:
- hoisting the Merlion onto the barge
- sailing the barge to the foot of the Esplanade Bridge
- hoisting the Merlion over the bridge back onto the barge
- installing the Merlion at its new home







Q: How was restoration done?
A: The Merlion was washed and stripped of its old coat of paint and stains. The Merlion cub had its old damaged porcelain tiles replaced by new pieces of porcelain plates, bowls, spoons and ash trays donated by The Fullerton Singapore. Glass sculptured waves in hues of blue were built at the base of the Merlion and the cub. These waves are illuminated by spotlights. A new improved water pump system was also installed to enable the Merlion to spout water. The system consists of two pump units especially designed for pumping sea water. The pump units work alternately, with one on standby at any one time. In addition to the water spout, both the Merlion and the Merlion cub have cascading water overflowing from their wave-like pedestals.



Q: How much did the relocation and the new home of the Merlion cost?
A: SGD 7.5 million

During the grand opening of the Esplanade...

Never really thought much of the merlion until my interest in scrapers started. The opening of the Esplanade also raised its profile.

Love it!