merlion

IPA(Pronunciation)

/ˈməːˌlaɪən/

Noun

Singapore

(Singapore) Often Merlion: a symbolic creature having the head of a lion and the body of a fish, which is a national symbol of Singapore; an image, statue, or other depiction of this creature.

Japanese Meaning

シンガポールの国家的シンボルとして用いられる、ライオンの頭と魚の体を持つ架空の生物。また、その生物の彫像やイメージも含む。

What is this buttons?

We watched the merlion spout water into the harbor as the sunset painted the sky.

Google Translation / DeepL Translation

私たちは、夕焼けに染まる空の下でマーライオンが港に水を噴き上げるのを見ました。

Details

Sense（1）

(Singapore) Often Merlion: a symbolic creature having the head of a lion and the body of a fish, which is a national symbol of Singapore; an image, statue, or other depiction of this creature.

In 1995, a second Merlion was built on the island of Sentosa. This new Merlion is actually a 37-metre high panoramic tower, from which it is possible to view mainland Singapore and the Straits of Singapore[…]. A new "ancient legend" was created for this creature with this tower. The legend alleged that the Merlion landed on Sentosa and saved Singapore from a storm. It would save Singapore again if the island ran into trouble (according to a film in the Merlion Tower). […] Some locals are upset by this fabrication. The STB [Singapore Tourism Board] maintains that the Merlion reflects the combination of Singapore's national animal (the lion) and Singapore being an island. Many Singaporeans have come to accept this mythical creature as a quintessential symbol of Singapore. To the unaware tourists, the product was packaged in a convincing manner, with the legend, film clip, and chronotopic dimensions of when and where the Merlion supposedly visited Singapore.

Google Translation / DeepL Translation