Number Of Merlions To National Flag Rules: Do You Know These 6 Facts About Singapore?

Get ready to whip out your flags and listen to nostalgic National Day songs because it is that time of the year again! National Day is here, with the National Day Parade held at Padang on Aug 9. As we celebrate Singapore’s 59th birthday, here are some fun facts to know about Singapore, from the origin of the parade, to guidelines regarding the Singapore flag, and why we have a new National Day song each year.

1. We’ve never missed a year of National Day celebrations

Singapore first gained independence on Aug 9, 1965, after separating from the Federation of Malaysia. Back then, this separation came as a shock as Singapore was suddenly pushed to independence, causing many to be worried about the future of Singapore. However, things had to move forward and Singapore soon began its efforts to gain international recognition. In 1966, the nation held its first-ever National Day Parade to commemorate its first year of independence and even received congratulatory messages from 29 countries. (Source: NLB)

Today, the National Day Parade continues to be Singapore’s most celebrated event of the year. Even during troubled periods like the Covid-19 outbreak in 2020, where major gatherings were prohibited, the parade still happened — albeit on a smaller scale. According to Minister of Defence, Dr Ng Eng Hen, the National Day Parade is a significant event that should not be missed even in times of crisis as its presence helps to bring people together and raise morale. It's also an important occasion for Singaporeans to unite and celebrate their Singaporean identity.

2. The reason behind a new National Day song every year

I am sure that we all have our favourite National Day songs with fond memories tied to them with my personal favourite being Home by Kit Chan and Where I Belong by Tanya Chua. Every year, NDPeeps, the official page for the National Day Parade, releases a new National Day song sung by our local artists. So who is commissioning these artists for new songs and why do we need a new one every year? 

This all started in 1980 when the government was trying to promote patriotism through nationalistic songs with commercial-like jingles. Then Senior Minister State of Affairs Lee Khoon Choy was tasked with a "quiet campaign" to popularise community singing in Singapore. In a statement by Lee, he expressed the importance of group singing as one of the key steps to nation-building, further explaining how it helps build a sense of belonging and solidarity amongst Singaporeans.

Since then, the government began commissioning songs with local themes. One of the first national songs was Stand Up for Singapore, which was composed in 1984 by Canadian Hugh Harrison. Seeing that the song received huge success, the government continued commissioning him for other songs like Count on Me, Singapore and We Are Singapore which have become some of our most recognised National Day songs today. 

In 1998, Home, written by Dick Lee and performed by Kit Chan was released. It soon became wildly popular for its sentimental tune and nostalgic lyrics. According to a 2013 poll by Straits Times, it was voted to be the favourite National Day song. Following its success, the other songs in the subsequent years were all written in the same pop vein to appeal to a younger audience. Today, our National Day songs are tunes that blend catchy modern melodies with soulful lyrics evoking a sense of nostalgia. (Source: NLB)

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This year’s National Day Song Not Alone is composed and performed by singer Benjamin Kheng. Weaving the lyrics of National Day songs from previous years, it pays homage to the songs that Singaporeans have loved through the years. With an upbeat tune that evokes a sense of nostalgia and familiarity, Not Alone perfectly captures the essence of being a Singaporean. 

3. There are rules on how you should display the flag

The Singapore flag is an extension of Singapore and the values it represents. The red in the flag represents universal brotherhood and equality of man while the white symbolises pervading and everlasting purity and virtue. The crescent moon symbolises a young nation on the rise, and the five stars depict Singapore's ideals of democracy, peace, progress, justice and equality. (Source: National Heritage Board)

With these meanings tied to the flag, it is no wonder there are regulations to follow when displaying the flag. But other than commonly known rules, such as the Singapore flag having to be displayed above other flags (within Singapore), emblems and objects, there are other protocols you might not be familiar with. For example, did you know that there is a correct way to dispose of an old and worn-out flag?

According to the National Heritage Board, flags should be cleaned when dirty and disposed of when faded or torn. They should only be discarded in a sealed black trash bag, ensuring that they are not left visible in dustbins. Even when washed and hung out to dry, it should not be hung with other laundry as it is deemed inappropriate.

Another key rule is that the flag can only be displayed on buildings without a flagpole and illumination at night from July to September (the National Day period). There are several other regulations governing the display and usage of the Singapore flag. Be sure to follow them or risk paying a fine, Depending on the severity and type of offence, this ranges from up to $5,000 (for failure to abide by protocols on displaying the flag) to a maximum penalty of $30,000 or — yikes! — even a jail term (for disrespectful use of the national flag).

4. The National Anthem was rearranged and re-recorded twice

Majulah Singapura, which means “Onward Singapore”, was composed in 1958 by the late Encik Zubir Said. Originally, it served as the official song for the City Council to celebrate the newly renovated Victoria Theatre. When then Deputy Prime Minister Toh Chin Chye approached Encik Zubir Said, he expressed interest in his composition but requested changes. Dr Toh specially requested for the song to be in Malay as it is the region's indigenous language. But Encik Zuir Said also had to consider the Malay language proficiency of the other races. Hence, he shortened the sentences of the lyrics and simplified them so that it was understandable for all races. This process was not easy as the patriotic message had to be conveyed in simple yet proper Malay language. After several revisions, it was finally played in 1959 as Singapore’s national anthem.

Since then, the National Anthem has been re-arranged and re-recorded twice. The first time was in 2001 when a re-orchestrated version was released to make the song's anthem more accessible for Singaporeans. The key of the song was changed to F and the music was also re-arranged for a grander sounding orchestration. This has remained the official National Anthem up till today.

In 2019, a re-recording was also conducted by the Singapore Symphony Orchestra (SSO) to commemorate the National Symbols’ 60th anniversary. Following the original lyrics and arrangement from 2001, they recorded a higher-quality version of the Anthem, enabling listeners to better appreciate the nuances of the musical arrangement, particularly in larger venues and with modern sound systems. (Source: National Heritage Board) 

Other fun facts about Singapore

5. There are 11 Merlions in the world

How many Merlions do you think are in Singapore? Two? Three? Well, we used to have a whopping seven but with the demolition of the 37m-tall Merlion statue in Sentosa in 2019, there are now six Singapore Tourism Board-approved statues of the iconic mythical creature on our island. The most well-known one is the original statue at Merlion Park, with a smaller 2m-tall Merlion cub located near it. The four less commonly known Merlions are located at Tourism Court, Mount Faber and Ang Mo Kio Ave 1, where there is a pair (Source: SG101)

And that's not all.

The Merlion is well-loved even by other countries. Did you know that the remaining five Merlions can actually be found overseas in Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Indonesia and England? The extent of the Merlion’s popularity also shows how Singapore has grown to become a country that is internationally recognised.

6. There is an anime character inspired by the Merlion

The Merlion has managed to make its mark in popular culture and was featured in the popular anime series My Hero Academia. In a fictional world of heroes and villains, Singapore is represented by Big Red Dot whose appearance is modelled after a Merlion. With the head of a lion and the body of a fish, Big Red Dot is supposedly Singapore’s strongest hero.