The Legend

The design of the Merlion incorporates fact and legend. It has a lion head and a fish body resting on a crest of waves.

The lion head symbolises the legend of the rediscovery of Singapura, as recorded in the "Malay Annals".

In ancient times, Singapore was known as Temasek, a Javanese word for sea. Back then, the island was already a thriving centre of trade.

At the end of the 4th century A.D, Temasek was destroyed. According to some historians, the conquerors were the Siamese, but other records trace this to the Javanese.

In the 11th century A.D, Prince Sang Nila Utama of the Sri Vijaya Empire rediscovered the island. When the Prince first landed on Singapore's shores, he sighted a mystical beast which he later learnt was a lion. The Prince then decided to name the island "Singapura" which in Sanskrit means Lion (Singa) City (Pura).

The fish tail of the Merlion symbolises the ancient city of Temasek and represents Singapore's humble beginnings as a fishing village.