ZainTheInsane
Well-Known Member
Would it be possible...for angels to exist in physical form?
I don't know, but I found a rant from years ago about it...and here it is!
The difference between a realistic angels structure and a bird or a man is varied, and complex. However, basically, there would need to be two sets of pectoral muscles, and two sets of rhomboid muscles. The set for the wings would have to have a more full connection on the back, while the pectoral wing muscles would just have to be powerful.
Theoretically, it is entirely possible to modify the human skeleton slightly, adding wings, and make them capable of flight. The key would be the size of the wings, and the power behind them. The wingspan of such a being would be immense. I estimate that to be able to lift off (the most power/effort driven part of flight) would take a wing span of triple the being's height. So for say, a six foot tall man to lift off, he'd need an eighteen foot wingspan, and least.
However, muscular structure would need to be accounted for. Now, this depends on where the wings are attached. Most typically angels are depicted with wings from the top of the shoulderblade to approximately the waist line, perhaps even the hip bone.
Accordingly, they would need a pectoral like muscle which would cover this entire area. This muscle would need a place to attach, needing a skeletal modification, namely the modification of a keel type bone. If the sternum was solidified and elongated, it could, perhaps, provide the proper base for the muscle. Now, to direct oneself in air, the bird would use tail feathers, the angel lacks these...therefore it would need massively powerful core and leg muscles to allow for changes using the airflow over its legs.
The shoulder blades would have to also be modified for the purpose of wing attachment, but they seem much better fit than the frontal portion of the human torso. And from my observations of a basic bird's build, it would be the pectoral muscles which would need the biggest base, and the most power. A large problem would be keeping the body straight or flight capable, without massive amounts of energy...but still retaining the flexibility of a man.
Because of the heavier bone structure and the more heavily muscled nature of a more human shape, angels would not only have to have a very powerful source of energy, but they would need a great deal of other bodily modifications to help them fly. Obviously the complexities of the muscle control would be something like birds at an early age, but mature adult angels would be capable of muscle more powerful and quicker thinking manuvers than birds, despite their mass and size. In theory the combined ribs and breast bone, while not quite as flexible would provide more protection for the internal organs.
Essentially the biggest problem to overcome, other than designing/creating the structure for the angel, is how the angel would become airborne. But then I think of how fast a man could run. Imagine if a man was at peak performance in every physical aspect, given leg musculature which would compensate for the weight of the wing muscles, and bone structure. Then increase its height to more than the average man. Estimated at 7-10 feet of height, muscles not bulky like a bodybuilder, but lean, and full of purpose, like a wild animal's muscles.
Seeing as strength is not related to bulk, as proven by Bruce Lee, other atheles, Olympians, and many martial artists. Thus, given a strong, lean muscle structure, a layer of protection against the cold, be it fat, or perhaps thick skin, or even being covered with some degree of plummage. The launch into flight could be concieveably achieved by running while wings are spread, in a slightly hunched position, much like an airplane taking off. Then at the end, a launch off by jumping.
This could include flapping, and whatever other necessities to take off. The importance would be the strength of the wings, and the ability of the being to take off well, as well as the amount of energy flight would take. The wingspan might need to be increased, and various other factors might need to be taken into consideration. However, considering how easy it would be to put it all together, the only true difficulty would be simulating it properly without live subjects.
"Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great ones make you feel that you, too, can become great." ~Mark Twain
I don't know, but I found a rant from years ago about it...and here it is!
The difference between a realistic angels structure and a bird or a man is varied, and complex. However, basically, there would need to be two sets of pectoral muscles, and two sets of rhomboid muscles. The set for the wings would have to have a more full connection on the back, while the pectoral wing muscles would just have to be powerful.
Theoretically, it is entirely possible to modify the human skeleton slightly, adding wings, and make them capable of flight. The key would be the size of the wings, and the power behind them. The wingspan of such a being would be immense. I estimate that to be able to lift off (the most power/effort driven part of flight) would take a wing span of triple the being's height. So for say, a six foot tall man to lift off, he'd need an eighteen foot wingspan, and least.
However, muscular structure would need to be accounted for. Now, this depends on where the wings are attached. Most typically angels are depicted with wings from the top of the shoulderblade to approximately the waist line, perhaps even the hip bone.
Accordingly, they would need a pectoral like muscle which would cover this entire area. This muscle would need a place to attach, needing a skeletal modification, namely the modification of a keel type bone. If the sternum was solidified and elongated, it could, perhaps, provide the proper base for the muscle. Now, to direct oneself in air, the bird would use tail feathers, the angel lacks these...therefore it would need massively powerful core and leg muscles to allow for changes using the airflow over its legs.
The shoulder blades would have to also be modified for the purpose of wing attachment, but they seem much better fit than the frontal portion of the human torso. And from my observations of a basic bird's build, it would be the pectoral muscles which would need the biggest base, and the most power. A large problem would be keeping the body straight or flight capable, without massive amounts of energy...but still retaining the flexibility of a man.
Because of the heavier bone structure and the more heavily muscled nature of a more human shape, angels would not only have to have a very powerful source of energy, but they would need a great deal of other bodily modifications to help them fly. Obviously the complexities of the muscle control would be something like birds at an early age, but mature adult angels would be capable of muscle more powerful and quicker thinking manuvers than birds, despite their mass and size. In theory the combined ribs and breast bone, while not quite as flexible would provide more protection for the internal organs.
Essentially the biggest problem to overcome, other than designing/creating the structure for the angel, is how the angel would become airborne. But then I think of how fast a man could run. Imagine if a man was at peak performance in every physical aspect, given leg musculature which would compensate for the weight of the wing muscles, and bone structure. Then increase its height to more than the average man. Estimated at 7-10 feet of height, muscles not bulky like a bodybuilder, but lean, and full of purpose, like a wild animal's muscles.
Seeing as strength is not related to bulk, as proven by Bruce Lee, other atheles, Olympians, and many martial artists. Thus, given a strong, lean muscle structure, a layer of protection against the cold, be it fat, or perhaps thick skin, or even being covered with some degree of plummage. The launch into flight could be concieveably achieved by running while wings are spread, in a slightly hunched position, much like an airplane taking off. Then at the end, a launch off by jumping.
This could include flapping, and whatever other necessities to take off. The importance would be the strength of the wings, and the ability of the being to take off well, as well as the amount of energy flight would take. The wingspan might need to be increased, and various other factors might need to be taken into consideration. However, considering how easy it would be to put it all together, the only true difficulty would be simulating it properly without live subjects.
"Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great ones make you feel that you, too, can become great." ~Mark Twain
