Sundials have been around for a long time. While we no longer rely on them for timekeeping purposes, they are still a bit of a curiosity. And there are couple of sundials in Singapore which you visit to peer down and try to tell the time.
Where to Find Sundials in Singapore
Sundial Garden at Singapore Botanic Gardens
At the centre of the Singapore Botanic Gardens’ Sundial Garden is a sundial designed and sculpted by Ursula Holttum in 1929. She was the wife of former assistant director of the Gardens Eric Holttum.
The sundial is situated on a four-sided pedestal. On each side is a different carved figure. Two figures represent Father Time and Death. The other two figures are that of a robed woman and a turbaned male. Ominously, there is an inscription on this Singapore sundial which reads, “What thou seekest is but a shadow”.
Sundials at National Orchid Garden
A pair of sundials can be found at National Orchid Garden, one close to the Tropical Montane Orchidetum and the other at the VIP Garden. Made by John Close of Westwood Dials in the United Kingdom, these dials were a gift to the Gardens by Mrs Looi Eng San in 1995 on the occasion of its opening.
Sundial at Duxton Plain Park
Standing along Duxton Plain Park is sundial. Next to the sundial is a write up describing the history of the instrument and instructions on how to make your own sundial too.
