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Merlion

Merlion is the mythical symbol of Singapore, combining a lion’s head with a fish’s body. Its name comes from words meaning “sea” and “lion,” reflecting both the city’s maritime ties and its strength. The Singapore statue was based on the city emblem designed in 1964 by Fraser Brunner for the Singapore Tourism Board. Cast in concrete, it stands 8.6 meters tall and weighs 70 tons. The original statue was opened on 15 September 1972 at the mouth of the Singapore River. In 2002, it was moved 120 meters downstream to a position in front of the Fullerton Hotel. After being struck by lightning in 2009, it was fully restored.

The Merlion statue spouts water into the bay with Singapore’s skyline behind it.
The Merlion at Marina Bay with the Singapore skyline in the background.
May 2012 © · CC0
The Merlion statue with water jetting from its mouth, set against modern city buildings and a blue sky.
The Merlion statue sprays water in front of a modern city skyline.
August 2010 © · CC BY-SA 3.0
The Merlion statue spouting water with Singapore’s skyline behind it.
The Merlion sprays water in front of Singapore’s modern skyline.
December 2009 © · CC BY 2.0
Merlion statue spraying water into the bay with a modern building and cranes in the background.
The Merlion statue in Singapore spouts water across the bay, with construction visible on the far shore.
April 2006 © · CC0
A painted Merlion sculpture with Singapore landmarks and palm trees, standing on a wave-shaped base near a staircase.
A colorful Merlion sculpture decorated with Singapore-themed artwork stands beside an outdoor staircase.
August 2023 © · CC BY-SA 4.0

Identification

NameMerlion
Alternative names鱼尾狮; Singa-Laut; Harimau-Laut; El Merlión
TypeStatue; official mascot and national personification of Singapore; symbol of Singapore
SubjectA mythical creature with the head of a lion and the body of a fish

Iconography and meaning

Name meaningA portmanteau of mermaid and lion; also glossed as combining mer meaning the sea and lion
Lion head symbolismStrength and fearlessness; also represents Singapore's original name, Singapura, meaning lion city
Fish body symbolismSingapore's connection with the sea; also its origins as a fishing village and Temasek, meaning sea town
Symbolic roleUsed to represent Singapore and Singaporeans in sports teams, advertising, branding, tourism, and as a national personification
Historical referenceAlludes to the legend of the founding of Singapore and to Parameswara's reported sighting of a lion

Creator

SculptorLim Nang Seng
Conceptualized byKwan Sai Kheong, then vice-chancellor of the University of Singapore
Designer roleMember of the Souvenir Committee and curator of the Van Kleef Aquarium
Designer of the Merlion figureAlec Fraser-Brunner

Discovery and provenance

Commissioned bySingapore Tourist Board / Singapore Tourism Office / Tourism Commission of Singapore
Designed forThe Singapore Tourism Board logo
First use as logo26 March 1964 to 1997; first used in Singapore as the tourism office logo
Trademark statusTrademarked symbol of the Singapore Tourism Board since 20 July 1966; still protected under the STB Act
Usage approvalApproval from the Singapore Tourism Board is required before use
Common usageFrequently appears on STB-approved souvenirs

Physical characteristics

Height8.6 metres
Weight70 tonnes
FormConcrete statue in the shape of a lion's head with a fish's body
Replica height37 metres

Materials

Surface decorationInlaid with porcelain plates
EyesTwo red teacups
Primary materialConcrete

Location and ownership

Original locationAt the mouth of the Singapore River, near Anderson Bridge / Merlion Park, Singapore
Current locationMerlion Park on a reclaimed promontory in front of the Fullerton Hotel, near the mouth of the Singapore River, Singapore
Replica locationSentosa Island
Replica statusEnterable replica at Sentosa; closed on 20 October 2019 and slated for demolition

History and restoration

RestorationImmediately repaired and fully restored; reopened on 18 March 2009
Lightning strike28 February 2009, between about 4 and 5 p.m. local time; the statue was struck on the head, damaging the mane and base and breaking off some pieces; bystanders were not seriously harmed
Water featureSpouts water from its mouth; this stopped in 1998 because of a pump malfunction and resumed after relocation with a two-unit backup pump system
Orientation after relocationFacing east, considered auspicious
Relocation reasonThe Esplanade Bridge, completed in 1997, blocked the view from Marina Bay; land reclamation changed its position relative to the river entrance; the statue again spouts water after relocation
RelocationMoved in 2002, by barge, about 120 metres downstream to a new Merlion Park in front of the Fullerton Hotel; the move involved cranes and engineers
Current location sinceApril 2002
Inaugurated byLee Kuan Yew
Inauguration date15 September 1972
Construction periodNovember 1971 to August 1972

Other

Project costAbout S$165,000 for the original statue; S$7.5 million for the relocation and new site
Associated small sculptureA 2-metre Merlion cub created by Lim Nang Seng
Associated image contextShown with Marina Bay Sands in the background in one image
Related site eventThe park was temporarily turned into a single-unit hotel suite as part of a Tatzu Nishi artwork during the 2011 Singapore Biennale

Significance

Associated categoriesAnimal sculpture; lion in art; lion in heraldry; chimera; Southeast Asian legendary creature
Historical noteA sea-lion heraldic beast existed in Europe and its colonies, but it was distinct from the Merlion and was not used to symbolize Singapore before the Merlion was designed