Backdated Post : 9 Dec'08
We went to Merlion on 9 Dec'08 morning before Wanchin's family headed back to KL ....after having our breakfast, we straight forward went there by a cab. That was the 3rd day we have been walking around Singapore...so can imagine how tired were our feet, but we still full of energy to explore the unique of Singapore. Both Wanchin's family and ours family enjoyed our sweet moments in Singapore together. This is our 1st time having holiday together. Not to forget, we snapped some pictures for our sweet memories.
The History of Merlion :
| The Merlion was first designed as an emblem for the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) in 1964 – the lion head with a fish body resting on a crest of waves quickly became Singapore’s icon to the rest of the world. Originally located at the Merlion Park by the Esplanade Bridge, the Merlion and the Cub became a popular tourist attraction for visitors. The installation ceremony took place on 15 September 1972, officiated by the then Prime Minister of Singapore, Mr Lee Kuan Yew. |  |  |
| Today, the Merlion has found a new home just 120 metres away from its original location, adjacent to one Fullerton. |
| Measuring 8.6 metres high and weighing 70 tonnes, the Merlion statue was built from cement fondue by the late Singapore craftsman, Mr Lim Nang Seng. A second and smaller Merlion statue, measuring two metres high and weighing three tones, was also built by Mr Lim. The body was made of cement fondue, the skin from porcelain plates and eyes from small red teacups. |
 | | Designed by Mr Fraser Brunner, a curator of the Van Kleef Aquarium, the lion head represents the lion spotted by Prince Sang Nila Utama when he re-discovered Singapura in 11 AD, as recorded in the "Malay Annals". The fish tail of the Merlion symbolises the ancient city of Temasek (meaning “sea” in Javanese) by which Singapore was known before the Prince named it “Singapura” (meaning “lion” (singa) “city” (pura) in Sanskrit), and represents Singapore’s humble beginnings as a fishing village. |
