According to legend, Singapore got its name "Singapura", the Sanskrit term for "Lion City" from Sang Nila Utama. He was a ruler of the ancient of Palembang (part of present-day Indonesia) in the 13th century. He chanced upon a little island called Temasek and was said to have spotted a lion during his visit.Then he took it as an auspicious sign to build an important regional kingdom. Although lions are not indigenous to Singapore, and what the prince saw may have been a tiger, the association between Singapore and the symbolism of the lion has stuck.
The figure of a lion appears on the left side of the Coat of Arms of Singapore. The lion symbolizes courage, strength and excellence.