☀ Is Merlion A Good Icon For Singapore? [ZIQIU]

✿ ZIQIU'S REFLECTION 

<IS MERLION A GOOD ICON FOR SG?>

In my opinion, the Merlion is not a good icon for Singapore. Though many think that it is the one icon that can represent Singapore, I believe otherwise.

• According to Wikipedia, "Merlions do not feature in any local folklore or myths of Singapore, and was only used in Singapore initially as the logo for the tourism board." Firstly, what's most important about Singapore as a country is not just a small aspect of its economy income (in this case, the tourism board), but rather the culture of Singapore, represented by old folklores and stories of Singapore. These stories represent the growth of Singapore over the years and that is what really can represent Singapore as a whole. There is more to the growth of Singapore than just a statue of the Merlion. 
• Singapore was officially independent on 9 August 1965. The Merlion was made official on 15 September 1972, one not-so-significant date. This hence does not connect the Merlion with any of the significance in Singapore. Hence, I do not think that the Merlion should be viewed as the national icon of Singapore. 
• According to Wikipedia, "it has become a marketing icon". We should not simply view the Merlion from economical points of how it is regarded as a "national icon", because the Merlion statue being popular in all parts of the world does not make it a good national icon, as it has not been through the ups and downs of Singapore's growth, but has merely brought economy increase for Singapore. 
• Wikipedia states that a national icon is something that can be symbolic of the nation. In my opinion, the Merlion does not represent anything very unique about our nation, making it a not-so good icon for Singapore. 
• There are many other representative icons that I believe represents Singapore well. For example, the national anthem. It was composed in 1958, a few years before Singapore became independent. This can show that the national anthem has seen the ups and downs of Singapore when it became independent in 1965. I also think that it is a unique representation of Singapore as this song is something special to us as it conveys the message "Onward Singapore" representing the Singaporeans' pride, joy and hope as we progress with the nation. 

I thus can conclude that I do not think that the Merlion statue is a good icon for Singapore. 

Thank you for reading(: