At Merlion Park, the lion-headed, fish-bodied figure joins two strands of Singapore’s identity: the “Lion City” name and the island’s maritime past. The statue moved to its present waterfront position in 2002 after the Esplanade Bridge changed the river mouth view.
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Water arcs from the Merlion’s mouth toward the bay, while its body keeps another story close to the waterline. The lion head refers to Singapore’s familiar “Lion City” identity; the fish body recalls Temasek, a name often translated as “Sea Town.”
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UpgradeQuick facts
- The Merlion combines a lion head with a fish body referring to Temasek, or “Sea Town.”
- Kwan Sai Kheong designed the statue and Lim Nang Seng carved it.
- The statue was moved to its present location in 2002.
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