Every four years at the opening ceremony of the Olympics, an athlete acting as the torchbearer carries the Olympic torch to the venue. This torch will be used to light the Olympic flame, which will burn continuously until the Games conclude several weeks later. This ritual act is part of a tradition with roots in the ancient past.
In many cultures, fire is a symbol of life and knowledge. For example, in the Greek myth of Prometheus, fire is a gift to humankind that allowed civilization to grow and prosper. At the Olympic Games in ancient Greece, a ritual flame was lit at the temple of a goddess named Hestia, who represents the divine nature of fire. Similar to the modern Olympic flame, this fire continued burning throughout the Games.
Although lighting the Olympic flame dates back to the ancient Games, the modern ceremony introduced the symbolic fire in 1928 at the Olympic Games in Amsterdam, Netherlands. The tradition of the Olympic torch relay was conceived eight years later. That year, the torch was carried across Europe by over 3,000 runners to Berlin, Germany. Unfortunately, due to World War II, the Olympic Games were canceled for the following eight years.
Photos: AdobeStock 照片： AdobeStock
However, since the 1948 Games in London, the torch relay has remained a regular part of the Olympics. A torch lighting ceremony is held in the Greek town of Olympia several weeks ahead of the Games. At the ceremony, a torch is kindled by using a mirror to reflect sunlight. This torch is then handed to the first torchbearer and passed on to consecutive torchbearers one by one. Though it is carried by a runner most of the time, the torch can be transported in various ways such as by boat or plane. Its long journey ends at the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games.
在每四年一次的奧運開幕典禮上，一位作為火炬手的運動員會持著奧運火炬前往會場。這把火炬會被用來點燃奧運聖火，而聖火會不斷地燃燒直至幾個禮拜後比賽結束。此儀式性的做法是傳統的一部分，起源於古老的過去。
在許多文化中，火是生命和知識的象徵。舉例來說，普羅米修斯的希臘神話中，火是給予人類的禮物，讓文明得以成長和繁榮。古希臘奧運中，儀式性的火焰在赫斯提亞女神（編按：赫斯提亞是希臘神話中的爐灶女神、家宅的保護者）的廟裡被點燃，該女神代表火神聖的本質。與現代的奧運聖火相似，古希臘奧運的這把火也會在賽事進行期間持續燃燒著。
雖然點燃奧運聖火的做法可以追溯至古代的賽事，但現代典禮在1928年荷蘭阿姆斯特丹奧運會上才引入了象徵性的火焰。奧運聖火傳遞的傳統則在八年後應運而生。那一年，火炬被三千多名跑者攜帶著穿越歐洲，抵達了德國柏林。不幸的是，因為二戰，奧運在接下來八年遭到取消。
然而，自1948年倫敦奧運以來，聖火傳遞一直是奧運的固定儀式。火炬點燃儀式在比賽開始前的幾個禮拜會在希臘城鎮奧林匹亞舉行。在該儀式上，火炬會藉由使用鏡子來反射陽光而點燃。這把火炬接著會交到第一位火炬手手中，並一個接著一個連續傳給其他火炬手。雖然火炬大多時候是由一名跑者拿著，但也能以不同方式運送，像是乘船或搭飛機。火炬的漫長旅程在奧運的開幕典禮上畫下句點。
Words in Use
1. torch n. 火炬，火把
A group of adventurers used torches to explore the dark cave.
一群冒險者使用火炬來探索那漆黑的洞穴。
2. venue n. 會場，舉行地點
Due to technical problems, the concert was moved to an alternate venue at the last minute.
因技術問題，該演唱會在最後一刻被移至替代的場館。
3. continuously adv. 連續不斷地
These machines can operate continuously for several days to ensure all orders are completed on time.
這些機器可以持續不斷地運作好幾天，以確保所有訂單都準時完成。
4. ritual a. 儀式的
The village is famous for a kind of ritual dance that is performed at an annual festival.
該村莊以一年一度在節慶上表演的一種儀式舞蹈而聞名。
5. civilization n. 文明，文化
The emergence of writing systems is a key factor in the development of human civilizations.
書寫系統的出現是人類文明發展的關鍵要素。
Practical Phrases
1. be similar to... 與……相似，類似於……
The dessert shop’s menu is similar to that of the cafe.
那間甜點店的菜單類似於這間咖啡廳的。
2. ahead of... 在……之前；在……前面
We completed the project ahead of schedule because we worked overtime.
我們比預期提早完成該專案是因為我們加班。
Colin initially ran ahead of all the other runners, but gradually lagged behind.
科林一開始跑在其他所有跑者的前面，但逐漸落後。
3. pass on sth to sb 將某物傳給某人
It is important to pass on traditions and cultural values to younger generations.
將傳統和文化價值觀傳承給較年輕的世代是很重要的。
To be continued tomorrow（明日待續）
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本文出自常春藤解析英語雜誌: www.ivy.com.tw
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