The Legend Of The Lion
The legend of the city of Singapore
Once upon a time, there lived a brave and valiant prince called Sang Nila Uttama of the great Sri Vijaya empire. One day, he decided to go on a sea voyage to discover different and amazing lands. Before he set off, his father, the king, gave him a bejeweled Crown. After some time, he and his crew saw a far off island.
But, as soon as they neared the island, the sea became rough. Strong winds blew and it seemed as if the evil spirits were against them. All the prince’s crew were huddled together, terrified. But the prince knew what he must do. He threw his bejeweled crown into the sea, as a gift to the sea spirits. Immediately, the sea became calm and they were able to set anchor on the island. As soon as they got off the ship, they were confronted with a strange beast, a lion, but the prince and his crew didn’t know what a lion was. So, the prince drew out his sword and went forward to kill him.
But as the prince looked into the lion‘s eyes, a moment of understanding came between the lion and the prince. Slowly, the lion moved away and allowed the prince and his crew to enter the island.
The Prince asked, “What is that island?”
One of his crew members answered, “That is the fisher village of Temasek, your majesty”.
“Let us explore it, then,” said the prince.
But, as soon as they neared the island, the sea became rough. Strong winds blew and it seemed as if the evil spirits were against them. All the prince’s crew were huddled together, terrified. But the prince knew what he must do. He threw his bejeweled crown into the sea, as a gift to the sea spirits. Immediately, the sea became calm and they were able to set anchor on the island. As soon as they got off the ship, they were confronted with a strange beast, a lion, but the prince and his crew didn’t know what a lion was. So, the prince drew out his sword and went forward to kill him.
But as the prince looked into the lion‘s eyes, a moment of understanding came between the lion and the prince. Slowly, the lion moved away and allowed the prince and his crew to enter the island.
“From now on, this island shall be known as Singapura, after the beast that guards it,” announced the prince.
And to this day, on the coins of the city, it is written as Singapura, not Singapore.
And to this day, on the coins of the city, it is written as Singapura, not Singapore.
The symbol of Singapore
In the year 1966, the Singapore tourism board decided that Singapore needed a new symbol as an attraction. So, the merlion was created. The lion head of the merlion symbolizes the legend of Singapura and how the city got its name. The tail of a fish symbolizes the many blessings of the sea that Singapore has, and of the way Singapore has flourished as a seaport.
There are two Merlions in Singapore - the one at Sentosa island which is eight storeys tall and there are balconies the head and mouth .The view from the head’s balcony is an amazing view, in which you can see the whole of Singapore.
In the year 1966, the Singapore tourism board decided that Singapore needed a new symbol as an attraction. So, the merlion was created. The lion head of the merlion symbolizes the legend of Singapura and how the city got its name. The tail of a fish symbolizes the many blessings of the sea that Singapore has, and of the way Singapore has flourished as a seaport.
There are two Merlions in Singapore - the one at Sentosa island which is eight storeys tall and there are balconies the head and mouth .The view from the head’s balcony is an amazing view, in which you can see the whole of Singapore.
It was a pleasure to meet the Merlion and I look forward to seeing it again!
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