Merlion Park

The Merlion symbol, featuring the head of a lion and the body of a fish, was first designed by Fraser Brunner in 1964 as the logo for the Singapore Tourism Board. The fish body represents Singapore's humble beginnings as a fishing village, then known as Temasek, while the lion head signifies the city's original name, Singapura, which means Lion City in Sanskrit. This mythical creature has since become the most recognized personification of the island nation's identity and heritage. The original Merlion statue was sculpted by local artist Lim Nang Seng and was officially inaugurated on September 15, 1972, by Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew. Standing at 8.6 meters tall and weighing 70 tonnes, the statue was initially located at the mouth of the Singapore River. It was built with a water-spouting feature that has become a signature element for visitors seeking the perfect souvenir photograph against the backdrop of the city skyline. In 1997, the completion of the Esplanade Bridge blocked the view of the statue from the waterfront, prompting a massive relocation project. In 2002, the Merlion was moved 120 meters to its current location in the newly expanded Merlion Park, which overlooks the scenic Marina Bay. Today, the park serves as a major tourist hub and a symbol of Singapore's resilience and transformation from a colonial trading post to a global financial center.