pic: The Famous Merlion Statue

[OZ_341]

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[Aaron D.]

how tall is that statue - slash- what excatly does it mean?

[Cai ZhongHan]

how tall is that statue - slash- what excatly does it mean?
height is 8.6m, the lion head represents the lion spotted by Prince Sang Nila Utama when he re-discovered Singapura in 11 AD, as recorded in the "Malay Annals". The fish tail of the Merlion symbolises the ancient city of Temasek (meaning “sea” in Javanese) by which Singapore was known before the Prince named it “Singapura” (meaning “lion” (singa) “city” (pura) in Sanskrit), and represents Singapore’s humble beginnings as a fishing village

Singapore Tourism Board - Merlion Park information (http://www.visitsingapore.com/publish/stbportal/en/home/what_to_see/landmarks_and_memorials/merlion_park.html)

[DonRotolo]

Much like a mer-maid, this is a mer-lion.

[crazed_daisy]

that specific merlion fountain was only maybe 3 stories high. the big big statue of the merlion (located on sentosa island right next to our hotel) is over 12 stories high (eek!). if you do the tour of the merlion, you can go up to the top and look out at singapore and the sea... it's an amazing view :rolleyes:

[Cai ZhongHan]

However, note that the waterfront Merlion (http://www.visitsingapore.com/publish/stbportal/en/home/what_to_see/landmarks_and_memorials/merlion_park.html) (the one in this picture) is the original (first built) Merlion, whereas the Sentosa Merlion (http://www.sentosa.com.sg/explore_sentosa/attractions/the_merlion_merlionwalk.html) is viewed as a replica.

[Andy A.]

You can see the merlion in one of the final few episodes of Cowboy Bebop. In it, Faye returns to her now destroyed childhood home. At least one statue is seen in the background, establishing her home as having been in Singapore.

I consider it to be one of the best episodes of the series.

Trivia, good no?