Why is the "heart" shape a common feature in traditional Equestrian art?

[HorsesandMOARGaloar 300]

The "heart" shape, normally associated with love in Western cultures, shows up a lot in Equestria's (or Ponyville's) traditional art: you could see it atop roofs, on doors, on carts, and on a major railway express.

Do you have any headcanon ideas on why the "heart" shape is a common feature in traditional Equestrian art, and a possible history behind the custom?

Edited December 4, 2014 by HorsesandMOARGaloar

[Ashen Pathfinder 16,161]

As this topic has more to do with the show and an aspect of the world, I have moved this topic to Show Discussion as it is better suited for discussion there.

 

Also, I have no official head canon on the matter, but I would say that the heart is likely an important symbol within Equestrian culture that likely extends back before even the founding of Equestria itself. One can probably compare to symbol of the Eagle; which was used by various nations and empires throughout history.

[LZRD WZRD 1,929]

I don't have a head canon for it, I just think it's there because it's a shape associated with the target demographic of the show

[galaxysquid 2,122]

Honestly, it may just be because the show is about friendship and love!

[HunterTSN 1,444]

Because it is an incredibly stereotyped show targeting little girls with an obsession over everything pink and princessy.

[HorsesandMOARGaloar 300]

Because it is an incredibly stereotyped show targeting little girls with an obsession over everything pink and princessy.

I meant, "How does Equestrian culture adopt the heart as its symbol? Any guesses?"

[Wind Chaser 4,768]

We already know the real-life reasons.

 

As for in-universe headcanons, it is associated with love, while the second most common symbol, the six-pointed star, symbolizes friendship, harmony, and magic. This contrast is more obvious when you see Princesses Cadance and Twilight together.

 

Since Princess Cadance and the Crystal Empire seem to use it the most often, combined with the fact that the Crystal Empire was gone for a 1000 years, meaning that it was most likely ahead of its time when it was still around, it was most likely something they used to symbolize their devotion to spreading love and light, and the rest of Equestria took it up to show that they were continuing to pass on those values.

[ManaMinori 4,145]

maybe since- in "Hearth's Warming Eve", before Ponyville was founded- it was the Fire of Friendship physically manifesting and taking form in the shape of a heart, which- as a concept, is practiced throughout every pony in Equwatria, and takes form as heart symbols, in the most diverse town in the country, where Earth Ponies, Pegasi, and Unicorns are seen living together- Ponyville, to continuously remind them.

[chirox the pony 1,336]

Well maybe their hearts are actually like that, I mean considering how they look it wouldn't surprise me.

[Sheogorath 1,155]

When you look at the pony, you see heart shape on their faces thanks to the mohawk pony mane, and on their butts thanks to the anatomy of their plot. So in a way heart to ponies might just be a simplistic presentation of activity, you see them come and go!.

 

Or it is because a bunch of humans are animating the series and think hearts makes cute theme. But t couldn't be that!

[Fhaolan 4,483]

Hrmmm...

 

First, let's get the obvious out of the way, out-of-show it's a holdover from the designs of the previous generations, brought forward to put a bit of consistency into everything.

 

In-show, however: How's this for an idea, the main artefact in the Crystal Empire is the Crystal Heart. It's been there for over a thousand years supposedly. According to things said in the show itself, it seems that all of Equestria was once under the dominion of the Crystal Empire (as the Crystal Heart was supposedly providing a kind of 'love stabilization' field over all of Equestria and the rest of the Crystal Empire.)

 

As such, the heart symbol is a remnant of that dominion, possibly the only reminder left in the modern era that the Crystal Heart had such an influence over all of Equestria.

[sweetolebob18 728]

I think what Horsesandmoargalore is getting at is "why that particular shape?  It isn't anything like a real heart.  Nor does the heart have anything to do with emotions"  Well, best guess, since they have had contact w the human world (G1 ponies, the portal in EQ Girls) I would guess cultural assimilation.

 

At some point, a pony was very close friends w a human & got a valentine from them.  From sentimental value, they spread it to their friends, who spread it to theirs, etc.

[Silver Letter 1,832]

Most likely the legend of "Hearth's Warming Eve" has something to do with it. After all, I think it would have been the first time a heart appeared whether or not the magic that supposedly created it ever existed at all. Unfortunately, we don't know enough to be certain as to its origin in Equestrian society or why the heart is included at all in the show. Someone can ask the writers or the animators. though.

[skbl17 199]

I'm not going to go into why the heart is considered a common feature in Equestrian art in canon terms, because that's never really been touched on all that much. There has been the concept of "friendship", and "love" has been touched on, but I never really considered love to be the central theme of the show. The meta reason why the heart is common in Equestrian art is simple.

 

Marketing.

 

Think about the My Little Pony franchise. Who is the target audience? Bronies? No, try again. That's right, young girls. What shape or object comes to mind when you think "cartoon aimed at young girls"? Hearts.

[RainbowTashie 378]

The "heart" shape, normally associated with love in Western cultures, shows up a lot in Equestria's (or Ponyville's) traditional art: you could see it atop roofs, on doors, on carts, and on a major railway express.

 

Do you have any headcanon ideas on why the "heart" shape is a common feature in traditional Equestrian art, and a possible history behind the custom?

Little girls love pink heart shapes i'd say that solves the problem. But to delve deeper it could be a reference to peace and harmony i guess