Merlion Park

An icon and a sculpture

As we make our way to the Singapore River, the history of the Merlion will be shared: it started out firstly as an icon to market Singapore as a tourist destination. It was considered a suitable 'Singaporean' icon because of its distinctive traits of being a half-lion, half-fish. While the lion head invokes of the still-mystical account of Sang Nila Utama (a Javanese prince), the fish tail embodies Singapore’s history as a fishing village. In other words, the merlion is a symbol of both Singapore's location in Southeast Asia as well as its humble beginnings.

Half-lion, half-fish, the Merlion stands proudly along the Marina Bay.

The Merlion icon was used by the Singapore Tourist Promotion Board (STPB) for about 8 years before the decision to erect a 26-foot Merlion sculpture at the Singapore River. Like the smooth white walls of cathedrals, this sculpture is largely unadorned with a smooth finish hence giving it a form of majesty and purity. Moreover, the whiteness of the Merlion demonstrates the ethnic-neutral value highly regarded by an ethnically and culturally-diverse nation-state. It is thus little wonder why you will never feel out-of-place near the Merlion because the space surrounding it is thronged by tourists that hail from different nations! Indeed the iconic Merlion encourages a common vision amongst both its locals and tourists alike.

Photos, Chocolates, Hotel and Dresses
(bring it home, share it, reminisce about it, wear it!)
 
After taking pictures with the Merlion (which is a definite must!) we proceed next to the souvenir store near the Merlion. There the commercialisation of our nation's cultural icon is exemplified through the personal gifts and edible foods, such as Merlion-shaped chocolate (even cheese!), one can buy for their family and friends back home!
 

Interior of the Merlion Hotel

Die-hard Merlion fans would be devastated to know that as part of the 2011 Singapore Biennale, a Merlion Hotel was built around the head of the Merlion. This hotel was created as an art installation by Japanese artist, Tatzu Nishi, and was open for stay for one month. In the same reminscent spirit, look out for Merly too--- the mascot for the inaugural Youth Olympic Games. If you're looking for inspirations for an exciting costume party include dresses, such as the one created for Miss Singapore, with designs based on the Merlion.
 
 
Distinctively Singaporean: awkwardness
 
To the observant, the Merlion is representative of Singapore: its history and current context. Indeed as Singapore experiences a rapid modernisation, it bemoans a lack of deep historical roots to tap from. Simultaneously we rush and desperately clasp onto images of local-Asian identity. Nonetheless despite the challenges the Merlion, as a personification of Singapore's character, always looks towards the open waters ahead; it sits comfortably on the waves beneath and like Singapore, the Merlion remains forward-looking.

Forward-looking in majesty

While some may say that the Merlion lacks historical depth, it is exactly that characteristic that adds to its mystical nature. Unlike other 'Asian' legendary creatures (such as the dragon and phoenix) which can find a rich heritage in the many cultural traditions and folklores, the Merlion relies on a relatively-new fictional tale created by man. But its strange bodily makeup and mysterious heritage is reminiscent of the 'Asian' legendary creatures. In that sense, it is indeed an icon of Asian quality. But the Merlion is also a tourist attraction - where tourism remains to be one of Singapore's key engines for economic growth. As it turns out the Merlion, as both a sculpture and a cultural icon, remains equally rooted in a Western capitalistic modernity.

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