The Merlion Statue at Merlion Park: A Visitor Guide | Singapore Purple Travel Guide

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The Merlion Statue is a mythical creature with the head of a lion and the body of a fish. It serves as the official mascot and national personification of Singapore. The original statue stands 28 feet (8.6 meters) tall and weighs approximately 70 tons (71 metric tons). It is the focal point of Merlion Park and remains the most iconic photography spot in the country.

Here at Backpack and Snorkel Travel Guides, we promote self-guided walking tours.
But we realize that not everybody likes to walk by themselves in a foreign city. So, just in case that you rather go with ab guide: NO PROBLEM! Please see the GuruWalk and Viator tours below.

Why You Should Visit

A photograph with the Merlion is a fundamental part of any visit to Singapore. Because the park is situated on a pier that juts out into the water, it provides an unparalleled, wide-angle view of the modern Marina Bay skyline. From this single vantage point, you can capture the Marina Bay Sands, the ArtScience Museum, and the Helix Bridge in a single frame, perfectly positioned behind the water-spouting icon.

What is Special About It?

• The Symbolism: The Merlion represents the historical dual identity of the city. The fish body symbolizes Temasek (Old Javanese for ‘sea town’), which pays tribute to the humble beginnings of Singapore as a fishing village. The lion head represents Singapura (‘lion city’), derived from the legend of Prince Sang Nila Utama, who believed he saw a lion when he first arrived on the island in the 13th century.
• The Merlion Cub: Located behind the main statue is a smaller version known as the ‘Merlion Cub’. It stands 6.5 feet (2 meters) tall and weighs 3 tons (3.05 metric tons). While the larger statue is made of cement fondue, the smaller cub is uniquely inlaid with porcelain plates and small red teacups for eyes.
• The Prosperity Spout: According to local beliefs and Feng Shui principles, the continuous stream of water gushing from the mouth of the Merlion represents an endless flow of prosperity and good fortune for the nation.

History and Facts

• A Designer Icon: Interestingly, the Merlion was not born from ancient folklore. It was designed in 1964 by Alec Fraser-Brunner, a British ichthyologist and curator of the Van Kleef Aquarium, to serve as a logo for the Singapore Tourism Board.
• The Great Move: The original statue was erected in 1972 at the mouth of the Singapore River. However, when the Esplanade Bridge was completed in 1997, it blocked the view of the statue from the sea. In 2002, the entire 70-ton structure was carefully placed on a barge and moved 393 feet (120 meters) to its current, more prominent location.
• Facing East: In its new home, the statue was specifically oriented to face the East. In Chinese geomancy (Feng Shui), this is the most auspicious direction, believed to bring the greatest success and wealth to the city-state.
• Lighting Strike: In February 2009, the Merlion was actually struck by lightning during a massive thunderstorm. A hole was blown into the back of its head, and fragments of its mane fell to the ground. It was fully restored and reopened to the public just three weeks later.

Self-Guided Information

Traveler Tip

If you stand on the lower viewing deck that extends over the water, you can take a popular ‘forced perspective’ photo where it looks as though you are catching the water from the Merlion’s mouth in your own mouth or a water bottle. This is a favorite local tradition for visitors!

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Author: Rudy at Backpack and Snorkel

Bio: Owner of Backpack and Snorkel Travel Guides. We create in-depth guides to help you plan unforgettable vacations around the world.

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