Animals have always been used to represent certain human characteristics.Countries also use animals as symbols. From eagles to lions, many countries use an animal to show its national spirit and character.

动物常常被人们赋予人类的某些性格，而各个国家也会把某些动物奉为国家的象征。从老鹰到狮子，许多国家就用它们来展现民族精神和民族性格。

The image of an eagle is on the US President’s flag, and on the one-dollar bill. The bald eagle is a large, powerful, brown bird with a white head and tail. The term "bald" does not mean that this bird lacks feathers. Instead, it comes from the old word piebald, that means, "marked with white".

在美国总统印章和一美元币上都有白头鹰的形象。白头鹰的体形很大，充满力量，灰色的羽毛，但脑袋和尾巴呈白色。白头鹰英文名字中的“bald”并不是指它没有羽毛，追根溯源，这个词其实来自一个旧词“piebald"，意思是“黑白相间的”。

The US declared that the eagle was its national bird in 1782. It was chosen because of "its long life, great strength, and noble looks". A few eagles have even become American heroes. An eagle named "Old Abe", the mascot¹ of a Wisconsin troop of soldiers during the Civil War, travelled 14,000 miles with its men. He was often shot at by the enemy, but survived 42 battles.

美国宣布白头鹰为国鸟是在1782年，而它入选的理由就是“它的长久的生命力、不凡的力量和高贵的外貌。”有一些白头鹰甚至成为了美国的英雄。在美国内战时期，一只名叫“老阿比”的白头鹰是威斯康星州一支部队士兵们的福星。它跟随这些战士转战14000英里，敌军经常向它射击，但它最终在历经42场战役后幸免于难。

But, one of the Founding Fathers, Benjamin Franklin didn't agree with the choice. "The bald eagfe...is a bird of bad moral² character; like those among men who live by robbing, he is generally poor, and often very messy,”he argued.Franklin wanted the turkey as the country’s national bird.

不过，美国的开国元勋之一，本杰明·富兰克林却不赞成把白头鹰作为美国的象征。他坚持认为:“白头鹰是一种品质恶劣的鸟类，就像那些依靠抢劫过活的人一样穷困潦倒，肮脏不堪。”富兰克林想把火鸡作为美国的国鸟。

King Henry I (1068一1135) was a brave warrior³ but also wise. His appreciation⁴ for the rule of law earned him the nickname⁵ the Lion of Justice. He was the first English King to use a lion as a royal symbol, which is popularly known as the "king of the jungle". By the year Richard I，known as "The Lionheart" for his bravery,came to the throne⁶ in 1189, tile⁷ famous Three Lions badge⁸ had been formed. Now it can be seen on the shirts of England’s sports teams.

英格兰国王亨利一世(1068一1135)是一位勇敢而又英明的战士。他推崇法治，人们给他起了个绰号“正义之狮”。他是第一个把被认为是“丛林之王”的狮子作为皇室标志的英格兰国王。1189年，因勇敢而著称的“狮心国王”理查一世即位。而到那时，著名的“三狮徽章”也已问世。如今，人们可以在英格兰运动队的运动衫上领略这种徽章的风采。

Although people might not think of lions when they think of England, everyone knows about the Australian kangaroo. Legend has it that the kangaroo gets its name from an early meeting between local aborigines and white settlers. When asked by the Europeans what these strange-looking animals were, a native replied "kangaroo" meaning,“I don't understand you”

可能，当人们提到英格兰的时候，并不会联想到狮子，但一提起澳大利亚，肯定每个人都知道袋鼠。传说袋鼠的名字源自于一位早期的欧洲移民者与当地的土著人的一次谈话。初到澳洲，欧洲人就问他们这些奇怪的动物是什么，一个土著人回答道“kangaroo"，其实意思是“我听不懂你说的话”。

The kangaroo is an individualistic animal. Although it does gather in groups,the kangaroo is not a herd⁹ animal. If a group is attacked, individuals run off in different directions. Australians think the kangaroo represents positive values, such as individual responsibility and pride.

袋鼠喜欢独来独往。虽然它们也结群，但袋鼠仍不是群居动物。如果一个袋鼠群遭到攻击，它们就会四散奔逃。澳大利亚人认为袋鼠的个性代表着积极向上的价值观，例如个人责任和自尊。