Talk:Merlion

Page fix
Can Godzilla be removed from this page? I made that mistake a long time ago. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 2601:18D:4700:72A0:14BD:199E:993:9BF5 (talk) 19:11, 2 October 2023 (UTC)

Red teacup eyes
The statement about eyes of the Merlion in the Merlion Park being made "from small red teacups" appears to be incorrect. I can't find any official information about what the statue is made of, but the part about red teacup eyes can be traced back to the page https://www.asia-planet.net/singapore/landmarks-memorials.htm which google dates as Aug 2, 1997. The page says "A smaller Merlion statue was also built by Mr Lim and located at the same site 28m behind its bigger counterpart. The Merlion Cub measures two metres high and weighs three tonnes. The body is made of cement fondue, the skin from porcelain plates and eyes from small red teacups." The statement about red teacup eyes appears to be referring to the smaller Merlion statue, not the big one. This is most probably a case of a copy-paste that went wrong, and I think it should be corrected. Also, the part about porcelain is most probably incorrect, too. numba1313 (talk) 09:15, 18 January 2017 (UTC)

Vomiting
The part about Singaporeans interchanging "Merlion" with " Vomiting" is completely untrue. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Nagasaki7 (talk • contribs) 10:17, 18 August 2010 (UTC)
 * Indented line

"Merlioning" or "to do a merlion" is used as common slang, particularly amongst undergrads, for vomiting. A quick google search will show you. Can't find a good source, though singlishdictionary.com agrees with me. Shall cite this and remove the above comment in the coming fortnight if no one opposes.--Millionmice (talk) 11:50, 9 January 2013 (UTC)

As aforementioned, the Singlish phrase "to Merlion" is "to vomit", similar to how the statue spews water. The use of this slang is still common and valid among Singaporeans today.––KJsheng (talk) 13:33, 14 February 2022 (UTC)

"The" Merlion
Isn't the large statue on Sentosa Merlion? The reader might think the statue depicted here is the tourist draw, when the one on Sentosa (which you can ascend, has a short movie etc.) is the actual crowd pleaser. Marskell 17:26, 25 August 2005 (UTC)
 * The first (original) statue was constructed at Merlion Park, and was moved (in one piece) to its current location adjacent to One Fullerton. Thus, it is considered "the" Merlion, while the one on Sentosa is considered a replica. Secondly, to see the Merlion at One Fullerton is free, but to see the Merlion on Sentosa will involve an Island admission charge of S$2 and an admission charge of S$8 for the Merlion itself. ZhongHan 13:03, 11 July 2006 (UTC)

What is the native name for the Merlion? The article only mentions the English name. --Starwed 08:54, 21 October 2005 (UTC)
 * Since English is one of the official (or native) languages of Singapore, and since Merlion is a 1964 creation by a native English speaker, there really is no "native name" for Merlion other than Merlion. There are however nicknames and translations in Chinese, Malay, Tamil among other languages. 82.123.157.185 01:54, 16 November 2005 (UTC)


 * Although originally created by a native English speaker, the Merlion is and remains till this day, an asset owned by the Singapore Tourism Board (STB). As such, I think STB's translations for the name 'Merlion' should be sufficient to serve as the official translations of the name. As of today, the Malay/Indonesian translation for the name 'Merlion' used on STB's Visit Singapore website is 'Merlion'. Will this be enough as an official translation to the name in Malay? ––KJsheng (talk) 13:52, 14 February 2022 (UTC)

Etymology
The article gives the etymology of Merlion as "mermaid + lion", but since "mermaid" itself is constructed from the latin root mer- (sea) and maid, isn't the etymology given here somewhat redundant? As in, shouldn't it simply be "mer + lion"? 82.123.157.185 01:57, 16 November 2005 (UTC)

I'd agree somewhat; A merman isn't a mermaid + man is it, and the lion is male. -fireryone 118.208.156.50 (talk) 09:48, 9 June 2010 (UTC)

Dimensions
Does anyone have the demensions of the statue outside Fullerton Hotel? I think It would help the article for that data to be included. Picaroon9288 01:30, 14 May 2006 (UTC)


 * Height of 8.6 metres, per Singapore Tourism Board's wesite. --ZhongHan (Email) 13:15, 6 September 2006 (UTC)

Merlion struck by lightning
Anyone can add more info on the Merlion getting struck by lightning? Chunchuan (talk) 13:12, 28 February 2009 (UTC)

Merlion name in Malay
Why it is called Harimau Laut (Sea Tiger) in Malay? Isn't Singa Laut (lit. Sea Lion) more suitable? It is supposed to be half-lion, not half-tiger. Any explanation? Gombang (talk) 18:27, 13 October 2009 (UTC)

Why does the Merlion spew water?
I am curious about the reason why the Merlion spews water. Is there any reason or folktale to explain so? --116.87.174.111 (talk) 15:31, 14 October 2012 (UTC)

it is said to be that if you have conversation near the merlion it sprays water on your head. the reason is still unknown to me!!!!!!!!!??? :) — Preceding unsigned comment added by 182.180.154.199 (talk) 12:37, 25 June 2015 (UTC)

As far as my research went, there isn't a particular backstory or source that I could find as to why the Merlion spews water. This is most likely a characteristic of a typical statue with a water feature as a place of interest and attraction, in relation to the origins of the Merlion (being related to the sea). As for the 'getting sprayed on the head with water' myth, this is the first time I am hearing this, so I don't think this myth or belief exists. There is also little evidence available to support the presence of such a belief among Singaporeans as well. KJsheng (talk) 13:24, 14 February 2022 (UTC)

The Manila Merlion


According to this reference, on May 30, 1596, King Philip II of Spain gave the City of Manila her own specific coat of arms.


 * "On the upper half of the coat of arms is a castle of gold on a red field, with a door and windows in blue, atop the shield a crown. On the lower half, on a blue field is a figure half lion half dolphin in silver, with colored claws and tongue, the merlion holds in its paws an unsheathed sword..."

Isn't it the merlion first appeared in Manila than in Singapore and must be included in the article? The merlion is still kept in the modern city seal. Arius1998 (talk) 12:08, 26 November 2012 (UTC)


 * Also, isn't the term Merlion, Latin in origin? From the Spanish and Latin term for Sea, "Mer" and "Lion" taken from the Coat-of-Arms of Leon and Castille? If there is any nationality that should be using the "Sea-lion" terminology, it should be the Singaporeans, not the Filipinos. Why? Sea-Lion is English, the Singaporeans were colonized by the British, while Merlion is Latin and Spanish in origin. This is stupid, we have a clear Spanish/Latin origined terminology ruthlessly claimed by Singaporeans while the English terminology befiting for England-colonized Singapore, applied to Manila instead.

Gintong Liwanag Ng Araw (talk) 15:55, 1 January 2015 (UTC)

more references
poster for one of the Doraemon movies (could be listed under "In anime and TV series"): https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=doraemon+the+movie&tbm=isch&tbs=simg:CAQSjAEaiQELEKjU2AQaBAgBCAkMCxCwjKcIGmAKXggDEij1CMoIlBH0CPMI7gjnCLEDhgyBF6YpqynPN_1khpznON6cjqCn4IdA3GjDPms_1j7iM0_1R1QAcTv_1QYYprtlc3JF2Q5IjefD4qr5JYl7Sx-A245fEiwgv2W9MS8MCxCOrv4IGgoKCAgBEgT9r-g1DA&sa=X&ved=0CBsQ2A4oAWoVChMI0LGbmLyNyAIVC3COCh37hQzb&biw=1536&bih=748#imgrc=mU1PikVmoXoz2M%3A — Preceding unsigned comment added by 110.159.10.186 (talk) 15:35, 23 September 2015 (UTC)

External links modified
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 * Added archive https://web.archive.org/20110304133937/http://www.straitstimes.com:80/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_640037.html to http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_640037.html
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External links modified
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Merlion and Sea-lion
Both are about the same topic and should be in the same arricle. The contents of Sea-lion are already here. This discussion is just to make it official. Shhhhwwww!! (talk) 05:01, 3 April 2016 (UTC)


 * Hi! Sorry, but the Merlion article is specifically about the statue in Singapore while the Sea-lion is about the general term. I see that you have made some changes in the Merlion article . If you don't mind, could you please rollback you changes to WP:STATUSQUO --Lemongirl942 (talk) 06:05, 3 April 2016 (UTC)

@Lemongirl942 Hi, thanks for replying. There is no need for two articles about the same thing. If you read both articles (before today's edits) there is pretty much an ovelap. The Sea-lion article is also very stubby and is unlikely to grow. It would better to focus on a single article now then fork it later on.Shhhhwwww!! (talk) 07:16, 3 April 2016 (UTC)
 * Yup, but merging is not the solution. The Merlion is notable worldwide as specifically the one in Singapore. It has it's own history and quite a lot of other info attached to it. I would suggest rather to move some of the other content (such as the part about Phillipines sealion) to the Sea-lion articele. In the sealion article, there could be a section about the Merlion which links to the main article. --Lemongirl942 (talk) 07:22, 3 April 2016 (UTC)


 * The Singapore one should have an article titled "Merlion (Singapore)" this is a heraldic symbol that has been used for centuries. Singapore only began using it during the 20th century so it would be unfair for it to be the main topic. Shhhhwwww!! (talk) 07:29, 3 April 2016 (UTC)
 * I understand. But the term "Merlion" seems to have been used by Singapore. If I am not wrong, the heraldic symbol is still called a sea-lion. --Lemongirl942 (talk) 07:35, 3 April 2016 (UTC)


 * Some parts of this article can be diverted to the other one. There seems to be three possible articles here but they all need work. If you can do it, thanks. Shhhhwwww!! (talk) 07:40, 3 April 2016 (UTC)
 * I'm not sure which three articles you are referring too. Personally, I only see 2 articles. The Merlion and the Sea-lion. The Merlion deserves its own article since it is a notable symbol. The Sea-lion on the other hand is related to heraldry. Which is the third article you are talking about? --Lemongirl942 (talk) 07:44, 3 April 2016 (UTC)
 * Merlion (Singapore), Merlion/Morse (Philippines), and a generic one that incorporates both. It's better to start with a single article the split it later on. The current one mixes the Singapore one with the others.Shhhhwwww!! (talk)

The "In popular culture" section are not Singapore-exclusice since the symbols from the United States are derived from the Philippines. Shhhhwwww!! (talk) 07:50, 3 April 2016 (UTC)
 * I do agree that the article in the current form needs cleanup. Let me try to move the parts which are not relevant to the generic sea-lion article first. I'm not sure if the Philippines sea-lion is also termed "Merlion" though. I would be glad if you could show me some references for it. --Lemongirl942 (talk) 07:55, 3 April 2016 (UTC)

It's fine. The term Merlion is probably Singapore exclusive.Shhhhwwww!! (talk) 07:59, 3 April 2016 (UTC)
 * Thanks! I moved some parts to the Sea-lion article, including the part about the 8th Marine Regiment, which is clearly not related to the Singapore merlion. I will have a look at this article again and help clean up later. --Lemongirl942 (talk) 08:27, 3 April 2016 (UTC)
 * Actually, I think you guys are wrong in stating that Singapore uses the term Merlion while Sea-Lion is for the Philippines. Remember, Mer is Latin for sea while sea is an English word. The British colonized Singapore and thus would use English terminology, i.e. "Sea-Lion" whereas the Spanish colonized the Philippines and Spanish is a Latin-derived language, hence by technicality, Merlion is more apt for the Philippines' seal while Sea-Lion is for Singapore's.Gintong Liwanag Ng Araw (talk) 15:32, 26 May 2016 (UTC)
 * The Merlion was created when Singapore was independent, long after the British had left. In any case, the vast majority of reliable sources use Merlion specifically for the Singaporean statue. Sea-lion is the generic heraldic term. --Lemongirl942 (talk) 08:07, 29 May 2016 (UTC)

@Lemongirl942 "vast majority of reliable sources".

That's a deliberate sidestep. What sources are you thinking of? The English language sources which the Glory-hog Singaporeans have flooded that the Merlion belongs to them? As far as I know the Spanish sources has been referring to the Philippines' symbol is more profuse amounts and it called the Seal of Manila that since the 1500s (Oldest evidence of its use there vs the recent one in Singapore)

Rene Bascos Sarabia Jr. (talk) 20:24, 18 August 2019 (UTC)

Merlion mythology
According to folklore, villagers living by the southern coast of Temasek were awakened by howling winds and crashing waves one night. Dark clouds came over the sky and blocked out all light, resulting in complete darkness. This resulted in the terrified villagers singing to their knees in prayers. During this moment, a bright light was observed emerging from the southern waters. A massive creature, half lion and half fish, roared in anger. The battle between the fierce mystical animal and nature was intense, and after some time, the winds began to die down, the waves subsided and the sky started to clear. The gigantic sea beast had won the battle against the nature. As it claimed its victory, it stood proudly on Mount Imbiah of Pulau Belakang Mati. By morning, the Merlion had retreated into its waters, leaving behind a bright colourful trail.

I have removed this article for discussion. --Lemongirl942 (talk) 11:58, 11 May 2016 (UTC)
 * Sorry, I had to revert your edit since it was based on a self published blog. However, I would be glad to discuss the myth and see if any better sources can be found for it. --Lemongirl942 (talk) 12:02, 11 May 2016 (UTC)

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Merlion at Tourism Court picture
The picture shown in the article is misleading and it is not the official Merlion recognised by STB. The official one is in this article: https://www.timeout.com/singapore/things-to-do/merlions-in-singapore — Preceding unsigned comment added by 101.127.33.29 (talk) 15:21, 22 October 2017 (UTC)

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