Answers To The Question: What Is A Merlion?
WHAT IS A MERLION – Countries from across the globe have distinct landmarks that make them stand out from the rest.
In Singapore one of the most notable and well-known landmarks is their fountain that is half mermaid and half lion. However, what is the story behind this creature?
According to an article from the Fairy Tale Traveler, the story of the Merlion is etched in the history of Singapore itself.
Based on accounts by historians, Singapore was founded by a Malay prince who gazed upon a lion the moment he set foot on what is now called Singapore. Furthermore, the name of the country is a tribute to that origin story.
As such, the word “Singapura” could be traced back to Sanskrit and is a combination of two words, “Singa” and “Pura”. The words mean “Lion” and “City”, respectively.
So, that’s the lion part. But how about the bottom half of the statue – the mermaid?
As per the article, the mermaid is a direct reference to the sea as Singapore began as a humble fishing village and a seaport. Back then, the city was still named “Temasek”, which translates to “Sea Town” in Javanese.
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