In this earlier RazorTV interviews with some of the Miss Singapore World 2009 finalists, the contestants were asked this question: “When did the Merlion became extinct?”
Check out Miss Pilar Carmelita Arlando, the new Miss Singapore World 2009, and her funny reactions as she attempted to answer this question and others.
The Merlion (鱼尾狮) is an imaginary creature with the head of a lion and the body of a fish. Its name combines “mer” meaning the sea and “lion”. The fish body comes from Singapore’s ancient name back when it was a fishing village — Temasek — meaning “sea town” in Javanese. The lion head represents Singapore’s original name — Singapura — meaning “lion city” or “kota singa” in Sanskrit and Malay.
The symbol was designed by Mr Fraser Brunner, a member of the Souvenir Committee and curator of the Van Kleef Aquarium, for the logo of the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) in use from 26 March 1964 to 1997. The Merlion continues to be its trademark symbol since 20 July 1966. Although the STB changed their logo in 1997, the STB Act continues to protect the Merlion symbol. Approval must be received from STB before it can be used. The Merlion appears frequently in STB-approved souvenirs.
Related posts: