Merlion

A symbol of Singapore. The blasted thing is everywhere. It's cool, but also wholly ridiculous.

The fish body represents Singapore's origin as a fishing village when it was called Temasek, which means "sea town" in Javanese. The lion head represents Singapore's original name — Singapura — meaning "lion city" or "kota singa".

Lions probably never lived in Singapore; the beast seen by Sang Nila Utama, founder of ancient Singapore, who gave the city its name, was most likely a tiger.

Apparently, Singaporeans often substitute the term "Merlion" in lieu of vomiting, in reference of the constant gushing of water from the Merlion's mouth. Apparently this use is now appropriated by Singaporean medical staff as slang for a patient who has intractable vomiting.