Folklore Creatures
Printed on:
• Ship series all denominations
The Ship Series is best known for showing different ships on the front of each note. But many people may not realise that each note also hides a creature from Chinese folklore in the centre design. Some of these creatures are real animals, while others are mythical—like those found in old Chinese stories and legends. They symbolise values like strength, protection, and good fortune. In fact, on the $50 note, there is a second folklore creature featured on the back: a dragon watching over Singapore’s skyline and the Benjamin Sheares Bridge. The $2 note is the only one in the series that does not have a symbolic creature, but it still features a peaceful scene, with a glorious sun, birds flying in the sky, and two sampans floating on calm waters.
In Chinese tradition, creatures from folklore carry deep and lasting meanings. Among the mythical ones, the dragon is a symbol of power, strength, and good fortune, while the phoenix stands for rebirth and renewal. Some animals are real, but still seen as auspicious. For example, the crane is a sign of long life, and Mandarin ducks, always shown in pairs, represent love and lifelong partnership. These meanings often came from how people observed the animals in nature, and over time, they became an important part of everyday beliefs and culture.
The government has not explained why these auspicious symbols from folklore were included the Ship Series but not the earlier banknotes. But here’s my guess. In the late 1970s and early 80s, a few years before the Ship series notes were issued, Singapore had experienced several serious incidents. For example, in 1978, the Spyros ship exploded at Jurong Shipyard, killing 76 people. In 1981, a fire broke out at the Pulau Bukom refinery after it was struck by lightning. In 1983, the Sentosa cable car accident caused seven deaths. These were deeply felt tragedies. With a large bulk of Singaporeans still superstitious at that time, perhaps the government felt that the use of symbols like the dragon or phoenix—narrated in Chinese folklore as harbingers of protection and good luck—could give people a sense of assurance and comfort.
