The Merlion is a mythical animal with the head of a lion and the body of a mermaid. Created about 30 years ago, it has become the official symbol of Singapore. Renditions of the Merlion adorn many places in the city, including one at the mouth of the Singapore River overlooking Marina Bay.
Legend says that during the 13th or 14th century, in the court of Palembang (in modern Indonesia), there lived a prince called Sang Nila Utama (who was also called Sri Tri Buana).
Bored and tired with his days spent in merrymaking and hunting wild game, he decided to set sail for the nearby islands in search of new adventures.
He made plans to sail for the island of Temasek. Along the way, a great storm threatened to destroy his fleet. The ship’s captain ordered all heavy cargo to be thrown overboard to lighten the vessel and stabilise the ship.
But the ship appeared doomed to a watery grave. In desperation, the captain begged Sang Nila Utama to throw overboard the heavy gold, bejewelled crown which he was wearing. It worked and the whole fleet survived the storm.
The prince was pleased with the island of Temasek. The beach was beautiful and white. There were also many birds and plants and bright and colourful flowers of all kinds.
Suddenly, he saw a strange magnificent creature in the jungle, an animal that he and his party had never seen before. It was larger than a male deer, had a black head, a reddish body and a white chest. It was fierce and swift of foot.
When told that he had just seen a lion, Sang Nila Utama decided to name the island Singa Pura, or the Lion City after the magnificent animal he saw and declared himself the ruler.
