Dragons losing their fire

TNP PHOTO: GARY GOH

While this may be the Dragon Year, the dragons among us have seen better days.

In the 1970s and 1980s, various dragon structures were built in the heartlands; however, in recent years, they seem to have fallen by the wayside.

The landmark three-storey-high dragon fountain in Whampoa is in a sorry state. Over at Lorong 3, Toa Payoh, a pillar with dragon motifs greets drivers entering the estate. With paint peeling off its head, the structure does not command any attention, save for a few crows that use it as a vantage point.