The Isle of Tigers Tee is part of our modern interpretation of the heritage and histories of the Straits-born Chinese of Singapore. Emerging from the crossroads of the Straits of Malacca, this culture — now known as Peranakan — traces its lineage to 15th-century Chinese traders who settled in Malacca and married local Malay women, creating a unique identity woven from two traditions.
The design also recalls the legend of Sang Nila Utama, the Palembang prince who, in 1299, landed on the island of Temasek. While hunting, he encountered a wild beast he believed to be a lion, giving rise to the name Singapura, the Lion City. History suggests otherwise — no lions roamed these lands. What he most likely saw was a tiger, the true native symbol of strength and survival.
The Isle of Tigers Tee is an ode to that truth: a nod to myth, memory, and the enduring spirit of the region’s heritage.
This is an original design and concept created by Eastern Hill General Supplies.
