Merlion statue

The Merlion Statue, 8.6 m high and weighing 40 tons, is one of Singapore's national icon. As an emblem, it was designed by Fraser Brunner for the Singapore Tourism Board. Later, the vice-chancellor of the University of Singapore, Kwan Sai Kheong conceptualised the Merlion Statue which was thereafter constructed by Lim Nang Seng, a local craftsman. Since 15 September 1972, the Merlion statue and its cub had stood guard at the Mouth of the Singapore River at the Merlion Park. Exactly 30 years later, it was officially relaunched at its new home, the Merlion Pier, just off One Fullerton. 

History
The Merlion logo had been designed by Fraser Brunner, a member of the Souvenir Committee and the curator of Van Kleef Aquarium. It became the emblem of the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) on 26 March 1964 and its registration as a trademark was finalised two years later on 20 July 1966. Although by 1997, STB had acquired a new corporate logo, the Merlion is still protected under the STB Act and the use of the Merlion symbol requires permission from STB. Merlion Week was initiated by STB in 1985. The occasion was a week of celebrations, including dance and carnival events.

The Merlion Statue was designed by Kwan Sai Kheong, the vice-chancellor of the University of Singapore and Ambassador to the Philippines. He included details such as the water-fountain and piped-music which flows out of the Merlion. In November 1971, local craftsman, Lim Nang Seng began sculpting the Merlion statues, one larger than the other. The main Merlion was so large it had to be built on location. Lim recruited the help of all his eight children, particularly his sons Pee Nee and Pee Boon, in constructing his prized work. The sculptures were completed in August 1972. The statues' original location was on a landscaped promontory, at the Merlion Park, on Elizabeth Walk on the river-bank, at the mouth of the Singapore River. It was officially installed at 8:45 pm on 15 September, 1972, by the then Prime Minister Lee Kwan Yew, on his birthday. Water spouted from its mouth in a smooth downward curve until 1998 when the water pump malfunctioned. The opening of the Esplanade Bridge in 1997 prompted the search for a new home for the Merlion as its distinguished position was now blocked by the bridge. It took two years to hunt for a site that would continue to let visitors enjoy an unobstructed view of the statue. The new site, Merlion Pier, just off One Fullerton, is 2,500 sq m and four times larger than the old Merlion Park. The relocation and site cost S$7.5 million. Once again, the Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew was the guest of honour for the official launch of the new site which took place on 15 September, 2002, exactly 30 years since it was built.

On the afternoon of 28 February 2009, the Merlion was damaged by lightning. Repairs to the statue took till the end of March but the Merlion itself resumed spouting water on 18 March 2009.

Description
The Merlion is an imaginary creature with the head of a lion and the body of a fish. This half-lion, half-fish sculpture rests on undulating waves. The lion head alludes to the legend of Singapore's founding by Sang Nila Utama, a Palembang Prince who, on his arrival on the island, saw what he thought to be a lion and thereafter renamed Temasek, Singapura or "Lion City". The fish-tail represents Singapore's links to the ancient sea-bound island which was Temasek and its long and successful association with the sea, reflecting how our forefathers traversed the oceans to come to Singapore and our subsequent dependence upon it as a port.

The larger Merlion costs about S$165,000, is 8.6 m high and weighs at least 40 tons as it is made mainly of cement. It sits facing the East, aligned in the most auspicious feng-shui position as advised. An inscription reads "The Merlion has been erected as a symbol to welcome all visitors to Singapore". The Merlion Statue is brightly floodlit at night, and a favourite with photographers and tourists. The smaller Merlion, often referred to as the cub, is two metres high and weighs three tonnes.

In addition to the pair of Merlion statues at Merlion Park, the STB recognises three other Merlions - these stand at the Tourism Court at Orchard Spring Lane, Sentosa and Mount Faber. The Merlion in Sentosa, standing at 37 m, is the tallest, and was built in 1996 by an Australian artist, James Martin. A light display in the evenings sees this Merlion with blazing eyes roaring loudly and spouting smoke. Its mouth serves as an observation deck. Enhancements were made to its basic design to give it a more dynamic appearance. This included a head tilted to the side, scales which were more faceted, a longer mane The Merlion at Mount Faber was placed there in 1998 and forms part of the look-out plaza at Faber Point. It stands at 3 m high and is made of polymarble. The dimensions of the Mount Faber Merlion is similar to that of the Tourism Court Merlion which also stands at 3 m and is made of glazed polymarble. It was completed in 1995 and was constructed in the Philippines.

Variations of the Merlion can be found in Japan and China, owing to the influence of overseas Singaporeans, Singapore investors and friends of Singapore. 



Author
Vernon Cornelius-Takahama



References 
Singapore facts and pictures 1999 (p. 246). (1998). Singapore: Ministry of Information and The Arts.
(Call no.: RCLOS 959.57 SMCFPS)

Tyers, R. K. (1993). Ray Tyers' Singapore: Then and now (p. 93). Singapore: Landmark Books.
(Call no.: RSING 959.57 TYE) 

On a bum-boat trip in Singapore. (1978). Goodwood Journal, 3rd Quarter, p. 11.

Huang, Huifen. (2009, 1 March). Merlion damaged by lightning. The Straits Times. Retrieved May 6, 2009, from Factiva database.

Lee, S. H. (1993, December 5). A pussycat no longer. The Sunday Plus, p. 5.

$165,000 Merlion symbol at mouth of the river [Microfilm: NL 7152]. (1972, September 16). The Straits Times, p. 3.

Merlion roars again, repairs continue. (2009, 19 March). The Straits Times. Retrieved May 6, 2009, from Factiva database.

Singapore symbol: 26ft-high Merlion [Microfilm: NL 7135]. (1972, September 16). The Straits Times, p. 30.

Tee, H. C. (2002, September 15). Is it a fish? a lion? or... national icon? The Straits Times, Life!.
 
The family that built it. (2002, April 23). The Straits Times.

Khoo, H. (2000, July/August). A new home for the Merlion. Skyline, 3rd Qtr, pp. 6 - 9. Retrieved February 13, 2004, from www.ura.gov.sg/skyline/2000/04_Jul_Aug/a_new_home_for_the_merlion.pdf

Singapore Tourism Board. (2003-2004). The Merlion. Retrieved February 13, 2004, from app.stb.com.sg/asp/form/form01.asp


Further Readings
Yeo, H. Y. (1993, August 8). The Merlion is ready to roar again. The Straits Times, p. 22.


The information in this article is valid as at 2009 and correct as far as we are able to ascertain from our sources. It is not intended to be an exhaustive or complete history of the subject. Please contact the Library for further reading materials on the topic.

Subject
Architecture and Landscape>>Building Types>>Monuments
Arts>>Visual Arts>>Sculpture
Politics and Government>>National Symbols
Public sculpture--Singapore
Monuments--Singapore
Emblems, National--Singapore
Arts>>Architecture>>Architectural structure
Arts>>Sculpture

Librarian Recommendations
>> Merlion : general view
>> Mouth of the Singapore River
>> Sang Nila Utama


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