Saturday, November 29, 2008
Yummy yummy! Reading the previous entry on food, do they make you salivate?? Well, they certainly make me!
Today, we will be taking a trip back into the past and learn more about Singapore's history and heritage. Upon hearing the word “Singapore”, we naturally connect it with the famously known “Merlion”.
Let’s hear a short story regarding “Merlion”…
“In the 11th century A.D, Prince Sang Nila Utama of the Sri Vijaya Empire rediscovered Singapore. When he first landed on Singapore's shores, he saw a 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 Merlion was designed as an emblem for the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) in 1964 by Mr Fraser Brunner, a member of the souvenir committee and a curator of the Van Kleef Aquarium. 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".
The fish tail symbolises the ancient city of Temasek (former name for Singapore) and represents Singapore's humble beginnings as a fishing village.
The Merlion statue is made of cement fondue and was built by the late Singapore craftsman, Mr Lim Nang Seng.
It was originally situated by the Esplanade Bridge and has been a symbol to welcome all visitors to Singapore. Now it sits at its new home, at the adjacent to One Fullerton, attracting more than 1 million visitors.
However, the story of Singapore doesn’t stop here and it will continue...
12:39 AM