• The Merlion’s lion head symbolises the legend of Prince Sang Nila Utama founding the “Lion City” after sighting a lion in Temasek (the old name for Singapore) in the 13th century, while its fish tail symbolises Singapore’s development from a small fishing village to a metropolitan city. Although the lion-sighting legend may be fictional, the Merlion epitomises the seamless fusion of maritime and continental civilisations in Singapore.
• The Merlion’s design was created in 1963 by Fraser Brunner, curator of Van Kleef Aquarium, under the commission of the Singapore Tourist Promotion Board. Another source suggests that an artistic consultant, a Mr Kwok, designed the Merlion.
• Singapore’s famous Merlion statue is about 8 metres tall. The blueprint was drawn by Kwan Sai Kheong, and the statue sculpted by Lim Nang Seng. It was completed in 1972 and unveiled by then Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew on 15 September that year. The statue now stands at Marina Bay and is an important landmark of Singapore.

Tourists who visit Singapore will not miss the chance to visit the Merlion Park and have their photo taken with the Merlion, at such an angle that they seem to be spouting water from their mouths. (Lianhe Zaobao, 20/9/2017)