The Merlion Makeover Story

The Merlion spotted along Haji Lane is a delightful, kawaii-style twist on Singapore’s iconic mascot—this time dressed in a sailor suit. Unlike its stern, water-spouting older cousins at the waterfront, this version sits cheerfully on a bench, inviting passers-by to take a seat for a quick chat and photo. Behind it, a quirky shop offers a whimsical “Merlion and friends” universe to explore, adding to the lane’s vibrant, hipster vibe.

Variations of the Merlion are popping up all over. In Chinatown, pastel-toned statues look more like a cat with a fishtail than a lion, while Pop Mart’s latest craze—a Labubu Merlion keychain—has their best-selling character sprouting a fish tail. These playful updates seem to signal a shift: perhaps an effort to make the Merlion figure friendlier to a younger generation, or a strategic bid to reclaim its place as Singapore’s top tourism symbol, now competing with the Marina Bay Sands skyline and Gardens by the Bay’s glowing Supertrees.

While the Merlion Park still draws crowds, tourists increasingly aim their cameras at MBS’s triple towers with its boat-shaped sky park or the Supertrees’ evening light shows. Yet the Merlion’s roots run deep. Created in 1964 as a tourism logo, it merged a lion’s head with a fish tail to reflect Singapore’s maritime heritage—an apt emblem for a nation emerging onto the world stage.

While the Merlion Park still draws crowds, tourists increasingly aim their cameras at MBS’s triple towers with its boat-shaped sky park or the Supertrees’ evening light shows. Yet the Merlion’s roots run deep. Created in 1964 as a tourism logo, it merged a lion’s head with a fish tail to reflect Singapore’s maritime heritage—an apt emblem for a nation emerging onto the world stage.

In recent years, the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) has worked to “soften” the Merlion’s image. The shift began in 2018 with Merli, a cartoon version starring in animated episodes about Singapore’s history, culture, and attractions. Merli even has four friends, including D65—an Unidentified Flying Durian piloted by six durian-shaped aliens. Today, the once fierce, water-spouting guardian has been taken over by the smiling, whiskered character designed to charm rather than intimidate—proof that even national icons can adapt to the times.