Frequently Asked Questions

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 the Singapore Tourist Promotion Board (STPB).

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.

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

The Merlion has a lion head and a fish body resting on a crest of waves. The lion head symbolises the legend of the discovery 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.

The Merlion was originally located at the mouth of the Singapore River, across from the Elizabeth Walk, just 120 metres from their present location. Both the Merlion and the cub was moved between 23 and 25 April 2002.

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

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.

SGD 7.5 million