Our waterfront guardian, the Merlion, has been in the news this past week ever since it was struck by a bolt of lightning on Saturday. The Wild Shores of Singapore gives as an information-filled primer called What manner of beast is the Merlion?
The merlion was designed as a logo for the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) in 1964. So it’s about 40 years old. Its designer was also the curator of Van Kleef Aquarium, so that might explain the fishy bit. The formal story is that the tail represents Singapore’s humble beginnings as a fishing village.
The merlion statue that got hit by lightning was built by a Singapore craftsman and all his eight children. It was completed in 1972. Measuring nearly 9m tall and weighing 70 tonnes, it was originally located on Elizabeth Walk on the river-bank, at the mouth of the Singapore River.
Did you know? That the Merlion logo is trademarked? And that the eyes of the Merlion are made from small red teacups?
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