Originally called Tiger Balm Gardens, Haw Par Villa was built on Pasir Panjang Road in 1937 by Aw Boon Haw, who set up an entertainment and educational park on the site, erecting statues and tableaux portraying anecdotes from Chinese folklore legend, such as the statue of the lion dance in the photograph. Traditionally, lion dances are welcomed by the Chinese community in Singapore as they are associated with joyous festivities and good fortune. It is not uncommon to see lion dances during auspicious occasions such as the Lunar New Year, while lion dance troupes are also often hired to celebrate the opening of new business premises.
