常春藤生活英语【39】The Power of Flags 旗正飘飘

Flags are now seen every day, but they were once only used in battles. No one knows for sure where flags came from. However, it seems that China and the Roman Empire were the first ones to use them to identify their armies. The earliest flags were actually wooden statues which were raised up on long poles. Soon, this design changed. People added small pieces that could move in the wind. Later, flags that were made of fabric¹ became the most popular design.

Flags are also important for religious reasons. Tibetan prayer flags have been used in Buddhism² for hundreds of years. These flags are strung on ropes in windy places. It is believed that the flags' good luck and prayers are carried around the world by the wind.

In the 13th century, ships began to hang flags. Not only did vessels⁴ display their national flags, but sailors also used flags to signal to other boats. Throughout history, the purpose and usage⁵ of flags have grown. However, flags are no longer carried into battle. This is simply because the people who carry them would be in too much danger.

如今我们每天都可以看到旗子，不过它们一度只用于战争中。没有人确切知道旗子从何而来。然而中国和罗马帝国似乎最先使用它们来辨别自己的军队。最早的旗子其实是立在长长杆子上的木制雕像。这种设计不久后就有所改变。人们加上了可以随风而动的小小零件。之后，布料所做的旗帜就成了最受欢迎的设计。

就宗教因素来说，旗帜也很重要。数百年来，西藏的经幡旗一直用于佛教中。这些旗子是用绳子穿起来，挂在多风的地方中。据说旗子所带来的好运及祈福会随风飘送至全世界。

十三世纪时，船只开始悬挂旗帜。船舶不但会展示国旗，水手也会运用旗子向其它船只打信号。横跨历史，旗帜的目的及用途一直在增加。然而旗子不再被带入战场中。原因就是拿着旗帜的人会冒太大的险。

Building Your Vocabulary

1.identify　vt. 认出，辨认
I couldn't identify Larry's voice on the phone.
我在电话里认不出赖瑞的声音。

2.religious　a. 宗教的；虔诚的
Carla has no religious beliefs.
凯拉没有宗教信仰。

3.string　vt.（用线）穿起来（三态为：string, strung, strung。）
Tracy strung some beads⁶ into a necklace.
崔西把一些珠珠串成了一条项链。

4.signal　vi. 发信号，打信号
I saw a person signaling for help by the shore.
我看到岸边有人在打求救信号。

5.simply　adv. 仅仅，只不过（强调语气用）
Vincent simply does his job for money.
文森不过是为了钱才做他那份工作。

Phrases for Learning⁷

no longer　　不再
This museum no longer attracts many visitors.
这家博物馆再也吸引不了大批参观者。

参考字词

1.pole　n. 杆，柱
2.fabric　n. 织物，布料
3.Tibetan prayer flag　n. 西藏经幡旗
prayer　n. 祈祷，祈望
4.Buddhism　n. 佛教
5.vessel³　n. 船；舰
6.usage　n. 使用方法

Tips In Use

Flags are now seen every day...
（如今我们每天都可以看到旗子……）

比较 every day 与 everyday 的差别：

1.every day 为时间副词，表『每天』。
Ricky wants to lose some weight so he goes to the gym every day.
（瑞奇想要减肥，所以他每天上健身房。）

2.everyday 则为形容词，仅用于名词前，表『日常的，每天的』：
We should make laughter part of our everyday lives.
（我们应让欢笑成为我们日常生活中的一部份。）

1 fabric   

n.织物，织品，布；构造，结构，组织

参考例句：

• The fabric will spot easily.这种织品很容易玷污。
• I don't like the pattern on the fabric.我不喜欢那块布料上的图案。

2 Buddhism   

n.佛教（教义）

参考例句：

• Buddhism was introduced into China about 67 AD.佛教是在公元67年左右传入中国的。
• Many people willingly converted to Buddhism.很多人情愿皈依佛教。

3 vessel   

n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管

参考例句：

• The vessel is fully loaded with cargo for Shanghai.这艘船满载货物驶往上海。
• You should put the water into a vessel.你应该把水装入容器中。

4 vessels   

n.血管( vessel的名词复数 )；船；容器；（具有特殊品质或接受特殊品质的）人

参考例句：

• The river is navigable by vessels of up to 90 tons. 90 吨以下的船只可以从这条河通过。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• All modern vessels of any size are fitted with radar installations. 所有现代化船只都有雷达装置。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

5 usage   

n.惯用法，使用，用法

参考例句：

• I am clear about the usage of this word at last.这个词的用法我算是弄明白了。
• The usage is now firmly established.这种用法现已得到确认。

6 beads   

n.（空心）小珠子( bead的名词复数 )；水珠；珠子项链

参考例句：

• a necklace of wooden beads 一条木珠项链
• Beads of perspiration stood out on his forehead. 他的前额上挂着汗珠。

7 learning   

n.学问，学识，学习；动词learn的现在分词

参考例句：

• When you are learning to ride a bicycle,you often fall off.初学骑自行车时，常会从车上掉下来。
• Learning languages isn't just a matter of remembering words.学习语言不仅仅是记些单词的事。