Do you think the Merlion would make the best national icon for Singapore?

  I believe that the Merlion would make the best national icon for Singapore. The Merlion reminds us of our roots, Singapore was initially just a mere fishing village, which represents the "mer" and also the legend of Sang Nila Utama. However, I personally think that not only it reminds us of the legend but it also shows that Singapore is a powerful country and well-respected in the world, just like how the lion is the king of the jungle. I feel that the Merlion is an icon that foreigners will be able to identify as Singapore the moment they see it. It will be able to help other countries remember Singapore as a majestic country and I think that it can also remind Singaporeans that our forefathers spent their lives building Singapore from nothing but a fishing village to one of the leading countries in the world and we should be proud of our own country and appreciate the things that we have now.

  However, some may argue that buildings like Marina Bay Sands or even Singlish should be the national icon for Singapore but not the Merlion. I would have to admit that it is true that Singapore is famous for various things and they are on par with the Merlion, having the very right to become the national icon of Singapore, but I feel that they do not remind us of to appreciate the high quality of living that we have now and also our roots, thus I think that the Merlion would make the best national icon for Singapore.

 

Besides that , places such as changi airport will remind us more of traveling more than a national icon even though that is the first impression that will be given to the tourists that will come to Singapore. I think that the things that will give the tourists a lasting impression of Singapore is probably the unique and tourist attractions in Singapore. Also, people may also think that the Merlion is only just one out of the many tourists attractions in Singapore and there is no appeal to a strange looking creature and it do not represent Singapore. However, without tourists coming in to look at the Merlion, Singapore's economy will decline and with a weakening economy, Singapore will not be where it is today . The Merlion is certainly far more important that we think of it. The fact that more than one million tourists visit the Merlion shows it's importance to Singapore.