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 The
half mermaid half lion figure otherwise known as the Merlion has
over the years become a well-known symbol of Singapore.
The choice of the Merlion as a symbol for Singapore has its roots in
history, The Merlion commemorates the ancient name and the legend taken
from the "Malay Annals" (literary and historical work from the 15th or
16th century) explaining how Singapore received its present name.
In ancient times, Singapore was known as Temasek which is
Javanese for the sea. It was then, as it is today, a center of trade.
According to historians at the end of the 4th century A.D, Temasek was
destroyed by either the Siamese or Javanese. As recorded in the legend
in the Malay Annals, Prince Nila Utama of the Sri Vijaya
Empire rediscovered the island later in the 11th century A.D. Here
he saw a strange looking beast (which he later learnt was a lion). Upon
his landing he named the island Singapura which is compound Sanskrit
word for Lion (Singa) and City (Pura), from which the name Singapore was
derived.
The Merlion at the Merlion Park
 The
Merlion was first built as an eight meter tall sculpture in 1972 and was
located at the mouth of the Singapore River to "welcome all visitors to
Singapore".
It was built by a local craftsman, Lim Nang Seng, who won several prizes
in the Singapore Handicraft and Design competition organized by the
Singapore Tourism Board (then known as the Singapore Tourist Promotion
Board) in 1970.
The sculpture was commissioned for approximately $165,000 in 1971, and
formally installed on 15 September 1972 by then Prime Minister Lee Kuan
Yew.
The Merlion, a symbol to welcome all visitors to Singapore, has since
moved. On 15 September 2002, it settled into its new home at Merlion
Park, located next to One Fullerton, overlooking scenic Marina Bay, with
the park opened by now Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew.
The Merlion is a beautiful hybrid of a lion and a fish. Strong and
lithe, its lion head alludes to the fabled beast that once roamed the
ancient island state, while its fish body symbolizes Singapore's origin
as a prosperous seaport.
The Merlion at Sentosa
 In
1996, the prominent icon of Singapore was reproduced, on a much larger
scale, on Sentosa. Lovingly recreated in concrete and glass, the massive
37 metre tall Sentosa Merlion follows faithfully the details of the
legend, down to the colorful trail, now called the Merlion Walk.
Once inside the Merlion, visitors are enthralled by the interior. Themed
as a sunken pirate ship submerged in subterranean rocks, the tower is
laden with treasures and jewels left behind by Bugis pirates who once
dominated the waters of Southeast Asia. The enigmatic atmosphere is
complemented by sounds of crashing waves, howling winds, foghorns, and
the cries of seagulls. To complete the underwater effects, visitors can
peer through the breaks in the rockwork to view colorful tropical fishes
and corals.
The upper levels adopt an organic theme, with floating tendons and
sculptured walls embedded with interesting imprints in the shape of sea
creatures. One can also hear the regular 'heartbeats' and hourly roars
of the Merlion.
The viewing deck in the Merlion's mouth shows a magnificent view of the
Singapore city skyline while on its crown, one is afforded a 360 degree
panoramic view of the surrounding islands, the Singapore harbor, and
even the horizon of the Riau Archipelago in Indonesia from a vantage
point of 60 meters above sea level.
The Merlion sits amidst a wave pool with decorative suspension bridge
links, leading to the Merlion Walk. The walk is a colorful and fanciful
walkway with jumping water jets and a beautiful set of Carillon bells at
the other end.
 By
night, the Merlion awakens to a spectacular light, sound and water
extravaganza in synchrony with the three-dimensional laser images and
dancing water fountains during the Musical Fountain Show. The mystical
glow of the Merlion can be seen from both mainland Singapore and from
the sea, acting as a beacon to attract visitors to the island.
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