Why is the Merlion Singapore symbol?
The Merlion’s fish-like body symbolises Singapore’s origins as a fishing village, known as Temasek—a name which comes from same root as the word tasek (‘lake’ in Malay). The statue’s head represents the city’s original name of Singapura (lion city in Sanskrit).
Is Merlion the national symbol of Singapore?
Singapore’s Merlion Singapore’s national icon, with the head of a lion and the body of a fish. The body symbolises Singapore’s humble beginnings as a fishing village when it was called Temasek, meaning ‘sea town’ in Old Javanese. Its head represents Singapore’s original name, Singapura, or ‘lion city’ in Malay.
What is the iconic emblem of Singapore?
Catch a glimpse of Singapore’s most majestic icon, the Merlion, a mythical creature that’s half-fish and half-lion. The Merlion combines two elements of Singapore’s identity—its body symbolises the fishing villages of Singapore’s past, while its lion head is a symbol of Singapura (“lion city” in Sanskrit).
Is Merlion statue copyright or trademark?
The Merlion is a registered mark of the Singapore Tourism Board and is copyright protected.
Why is Singapore known as lion City?
According to the Malay Annals, Singapura was named after a strange beast seen by Sang Nila Utama while hunting in Temasek, and he was informed that the beast must have been a lion. He decided to stay in Temasek and named the city he founded Singapura or “Lion City”.
Who is the lion in the Bible?
The Lion of Judah (Hebrew: אריה יהודה Aryeh Yehudah) is a Jewish national and cultural symbol, traditionally regarded as the symbol of the Israelite tribe of Judah. According to the Torah, the tribe consists of the descendants of Judah, the fourth son of Jacob.
Why was Merlion built?
With Sang Nila’s tale as a basis, the Merlion was designed by Fraser Brunner in 1964 as an emblem for the Singapore Tourism Board, adding a fish tail to the statue to signify Singapore’s humble beginnings as a fishing village.