The Civilian War Memorial honors the thousands of civilians who lost their lives during the Japanese Occupation of Singapore in WWII. Its four identical 65-meter columns represent the unified resilience of the Chinese, Malay, Indian, and Eurasian communities, leading locals to affectionately nickname it "The Chopsticks." Beneath the structure lies a burial chamber containing 606 urns with the remains of unidentified victims exhumed from mass graves across the island. Every February 15th, the site serves as the focal point for solemn remembrance services held to commemorate Total Defence Day. This iconic monument stands as a powerful symbol of Singapore's shared history and national strength.
The Civilian War Memorial honors the thousands of civilians who lost their lives during the Japanese Occupation of Singapore in WWII. Its four identical 65-meter columns represent the unified resilience of the Chinese, Malay, Indian, and Eurasian communities, leading locals to affectionately nickname it "The Chopsticks." Beneath the structure lies a burial chamber containing 606 urns with the remains of unidentified victims exhumed from mass graves across the island. Every February 15th, the site serves as the focal point for solemn remembrance services held to commemorate Total Defence Day. This iconic monument stands as a powerful symbol of Singapore's shared history and national strength.
