The subject of cutie marks and what they mean or represent for the ponies that have them is something that I've found quite divisive during my time on the forums and when reading fanfictions that cover the topic. This post is not meant to say that I am right and all others are wrong, but simply to explain how I've come to understand cutie marks and what they represent in the works that I produce. So far as I'm aware, my understanding does not contradict the show canon, and often times is supported by it, but I am not an expert on all show events so there may be inconsistencies.

To start, I'd like to go over a few things that a cutie mark is NOT.

• It is not an indication that you are the best at something.
• It is not necessarily what you are best at.
• It does not grant power.

Now let me explain what I consider a cutie mark to be, circling back to these points of what it is not towards the end. I have always considered a cutie mark to represent self-actualization, an indication that the pony in question has realized what sort of pony they want to be, and such realization has resonated with something deeper inside them. It can be taken as an indication that they are on the right path, and while they may not have fully actualized themselves yet, they know who they want to be and are working towards that ultimate goal.

As this is not true self-actualization, as is represented in the hierarchy of needs, the other needs do not necessarily need to be fulfilled for one to obtain a mark, but it leaves the possibility open for the mark to change later once more needs are met and their self perception changes. This also allows for the mark to change after amnesia, societal collapse, or traumatic events that drastically alter the pony's psyche, though in most media these events are rare and more often the pony recontextualizes their understanding of the mark, rather than their mark changing, essentially seeing the mark as a representation of them, rather than it being part of their representation, like a logo or brand whose meaning changes.

To go further, while a mark is often obtained during an activity, it is rarely the activity itself that triggered the mark, but rather a realization inside the pony that this activity deeply fulfills them. That they want to be the kind of pony that does this thing. This builds into the second point where it isn't necessarily what they're best at, but what fulfills them. Over time, it is likely that this activity will become what they are best at, but they are not prevented from having other talents, hobbies, or jobs in addition.

Some marks, like those in the Apple Family, demonstrate a form of family unity where almost all in the family have apple themed marks even when their talents may not specifically involve apple cultivation, like Apple Bloom who I'll discuss later. It instead represents that part of their identity, how they see themselves, is as a member of this larger family. In essence, members of the Apple family have apple themed marks not because of genetics or being raised in the family business, but because they see being part of the family as a crucial part of who they are, and they want to be part of the family going forward.

Since I mentioned Apple Bloom, she and the other CMC members represent my interpretation of marks in a fairly clear way. Before they got their marks, there were many stories focused on their talents and skills, activities they seemed good at, and neglected to focus on who they were and who they wanted to be. I'll admit that I wasn't too happy about their marks when they were first revealed, but after giving it some thought I found that they most accurately represented who they were. They had defined themselves as ponies who sought marks, and who found enjoyment helping others along the same path. They realized that they were most fulfilled doing that, and so that's what they got their marks in.

In short, a mark represents fulfillment. Not the culmination of a life's journey, but often the start of it.

Circling back to my earlier points:

It is not an indication that you are the best at something.

This is fairly easy, if a mark meant you were the best at something, there couldn't be duplicates since there can't be two bests, and either you'd quickly run out of things to be good at or the distinctions would end up so minute as to make it indistinguishable from my above interpretation, where the only thing they're the best at is being themselves.

It is not necessarily what you are best at.

I went over this in my main section, but if ones mark indicated what they were best at, it would be very limiting. Especially if they weren't very good at that thing. It would then mean that they are worse at everything else and could never get much better at anything that wasn't their specified talent. Under this system getting a mark would be like locking in to a particular skill tree and never being able to do anything else.

To summarize from above, it's not necessarily what you're best at, but what brings you fulfillment.

It does not grant power.

This is one that I've found fairly contentious both in stories and in the forums.

So far as I'm aware, there is no evidence in the show canon that a mark grants the one who has it any additional skills or ability beyond what confidence and self assurance would provide. In almost all cases, the power existed prior to the mark appearing. To use a show example, Rainbow Dash performed the sonic rainboom before her mark appeared. Twilight demonstrated unparalleled magic potential before her mark appeared. Rarity, while she wasn't fully in control of it, used the gem finding spell before her mark appeared.

The only exception I'm aware of is when curses are in effect, like the Cutie Pox or the Equality curse. In those cases the cursed marks imposed restrictions or abilities on the wearer.

Inversely, the removal or magical swapping of a mark does not remove power or ability. I've already spoken to the Equality curse as it was the cursed mark that prevented them from using their abilities rather than the loss of their original marks. And in other cases where a mark was removed, mostly Tirek, there was an underlying additional cause of magical manipulation. Marks are magical, so the removal of magic could also remove a mark, and the removal of magic could also make many talents and abilities harder or impossible to perform. When the princesses swapped places, Discord was involved, and all bets are off when Discord is involved.

The other example that I think best represents this point, is Magical Mystery Cure. All of the elements had their marks swapped, except for Twilight, but NONE of them were any good at their supposed new talents. If marks granted power, why did they not have the skills associated with their new marks? The obvious answer is that marks don't grant power, and that marks represent self perception rather than ability.

Like I said at the top, this is a contentious topic. I'm sure there are points that I've missed or things I haven't explained clearly. I encourage you to comment or message me if you think there's some important aspect I've missed, or any other topic you'd like to see explored in greater detail.