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National Anthem and National
Flag of Singapore |
The National Coat of Arms
or State Crest consists of a shield with a white
crescent moon and five white stars against a red
background.
Red symbolizes universal brotherhood and
equality of men; white, purity and virtue. The
five stars represent the ideals of democracy,
peace, progress, justice and equality.
Supporting the shield are a lion on the left and
a tiger on the right. The lion represents
Singapore
and the tiger represents the island’s historical
links with Malaysia. Below the shield is a
banner inscribed with the Republic’s motto, "Majulah
Singapura" ("Onward
Singapore").
The Coat of Arms or State Crest was unveiled
on 3 December 1959 together with the
National Flag
and the
National Anthem
at the installation of the Yang di-Pertuan
Negara at the City Hall steps.
The Lion Symbol
 According
to 13th century Malay Annals, a
prince spotted
a creature he believed was a
lion and named the island "Singa-pura"
(Lion City)--from which
Singapore
was derived.
The Lion Symbol was launched
in 1986 as an alternative
national symbol. The
National
Flag
and State Crest have legal
restrictions that prevent their
commercial use. The Lion Symbol
was chosen as a logo that best
captures the characteristics of
Singapore’s
reputation as the Lion City.
The lion symbolizes courage,
strength and excellence. It is
in red against a white
background--the
colors of the National Flag.
The five partings of the lion’s
mane represent the five ideals
embodied in the five stars of
the flag--democracy, peace,
progress, justice and equality.
The lion’s purposeful bearing
symbolizes the nation’s
single-minded resolve to face
challenges and overcome
obstacles. |
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