圣經圣經(Bible)中記載，耶穌誕生時，天使飛越全世界向世人報佳音。但最近科學家指出，這一傳說很有問題，因為天使根本就飛不起來。英國生物學家羅格•沃頓認為，從生理學角度來看，藝術作品中那些長有翅膀的天使根本不可能飛得起來。
一位頂尖的生物學家從生理學角度，將飛行動物與藝術作品中時常出現的，宗教及神話中的精靈進行比對。他發現：無論天使、還是精靈都不可能憑借自己的力量飛到圣誕樹上。 A leading biologist has compared the physiology of flighted species with the representations of spiritual and mythical creatures in art – and found the angels and fairies that sit atop of Christmas trees did not get there under their own steam.
來自倫敦大學學院的羅格•沃頓教授認為，那些被描繪成同時長著胳膊及羽翼的天使，從生理學角度來看，根本不可能飛得起來。 Prof Roger Wotton, from University College London, found that flight would be impossible for angels portrayed with arms and bird-like feathered wings.
“通過粗略測試代表作品中的刻畫及描述，我們就可獲知：天使以及童天使根本沒有動力系統，無法起飛，”沃頓教授說。“即使它們可以滑翔，但在起飛時他們需要極高的風速，如果有那么大的風，即使沒有翅膀，它們也會被刮得無影無蹤。” "Even a cursory examination of the evidence in representational arts shows that angels and cherubs cannot take off and cannot use powered flight,” said Prof Wotton. “And even if they used gliding flight, they would need to be exposed to very high wind velocities at take off - such high winds that they would be blown away and have no need for wings."
在一些舉世聞名的宗教建筑及畫作中，都有天使、童天使以及丘比特點綴其中；他們盤旋于天際，見證著上帝與人類的所作所為。 Angels, cherubs and putti adorn some the world’s most famous religious paintings and architecture, hovering in the air to witness target=_blank class=infotextkey>witness the deeds of God and men.
他們如此打動人心，以至于去年的一項調查顯示大多數美國人相信有天使的存在。 Their power to capture the imagination is so strong that a survey last year revealed that most Americans believe in angels.
皮尤宗教和公共生活論壇經研究發現，在此次受訪的36000人中，有68%的人相信天使與魔鬼確實存在。 The study by the Pew Forum on Religious and Public Life found that 68 per cent of the 36,000 adults polled thought that angels and demons were at work in the world.
最新研究表明，鳥類的翅膀是由其祖先的前臂進化而來的，隨著時間的推移，覆蓋全身的羽毛決定了它們的整個體型。骨骼密度的降低使得鳥類的骨架更輕盈，更利于飛行。 According to the latest study, birds’ wings evolved from the forearms of their ancestors and over time their whole body shape was determined by the covering of feathers. The reduced density of the bird skeleton provided a light but strong frame.
但天使的身材中等，童天使以及丘比特更是屬于超重一族，作品中常將其描繪成長著小翅膀的、胖嘟嘟的小孩。更重要的是，他們缺乏鳥類那樣能夠撲打翅膀的強壯肌肉。 But angels have normal-sized bodies and cherubs and putti are often given additional weight, portrayed as chubby babies with tiny wings. They also lack the powerful muscles which allow birds to beat their wings.
天使、丘比特、龍和仙女，他們通常具有昆蟲一樣的翅膀，多數為蝴蝶和豆娘那樣的翅膀。這兩種昆蟲的飛行機理比較復雜，胸部長有較多肌肉，這樣它們才能有力量振動翅膀。 Angels, putti, dragons and fairies are generally shown with insect wings, often those of damselfly or butterflies. Both insects have complex flight mechanisms with major muscles in the thorax, the chest region, which power the flapping of wings.
“如果像蝴蝶那樣依靠胸部肌肉拍打翅膀起飛，仙女們肯定感到非常不舒服，”沃頓教授指出。“事實情況是，她們根本不會飛。” “The distortion of the thorax needed for flight in fairies with butterfly wings would be exceedingly uncomfortable,” said the academic. “For sure, fairies don’t fly.”
在猶太教和__中，天使都有著特殊的重要性，就連在伊斯蘭信仰中，它們都承擔著某些角色。在圣經中有許多章節都提到飛行的天使。 Angels have a special significance in the Judeo-Christian tradition and also play a role in Islam. Numerous passages in the King James Bible mention angels flying.
為何要有天使這一神話呢，沃頓教授在自己的論文中也進行了探討。 Prof Wotton’s paper explores why the mythology is so strong.
沃頓教授說:“在我們的信念中，天使是非常有力量的宗教偶像。他們長相與人相似，這使得他們更為人類所信服。同時，他們要高于人類，因此他們擁有翅膀。它們要到天堂傳遞消息，所以它們必須會飛。” “Angels are very powerful religious icons for people with faith. Their similarity to humans adds to their power. At the same time, they have wings on them because they are more than human. They take messages to heaven and therefore have to fly.” said the academic
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