Would Hippogriffs have cutie marks?

[ggg-2 3,552]

In the fandom there is an analyst named Silver Quill. Silver's ponysona he uses is a Hippogriff with a quill cutie mark. Which got me thinking, if a Hippogriff appeared in canon, would it have a cutie mark?

[-Octavia- 1,176]

Curious question. In mythology, a Hippogriff is the offspring of a horse and a Griffon. I am not sure if it has been established whether or not horses would have the same ability of earning cutie marks as ponies do, nor am I sure that a Hippogriff has to be descended specifically from a horse rather than a pony. If I were to base it purely on my knowledge of mythology, I would say no. However, the writers have been known to surprised, so I cannot see them being completely closed to the possibility.

 

On the other hand, the head of a Hippogriff is an eagle's head. What if one were to assume the brain, too, would be an eagle's? Would the process of earning a cutie mark be affected here? Do we know the magic behind cutie marks, and from where they originate? I would imagine the magic would be tied to a sense of discovery and recognition of one's talent, which means that part of the cutie mark's magic would stem from the anatomy of a pony's brain. In this sense, the brain of the eagle would be incompatible and thus unable to activate the cutie mark's magic.

 

Just two takes on it, I guess.

Edited September 6, 2015 by Wubtavia

[Steve Piranha 29,414]

 

On the other hand, the head of a Hippogriff is an eagle's head. What if one were to assume the brain, too, would be an eagle's? Would the process of earning a cutie mark be affected here? Do we know the magic behind cutie marks, and from where they originate? I would imagine the magic would be tied to a sense of discovery and recognition of one's talent, which means that part of the cutie mark's magic would stem from the anatomy of a pony's brain. In this sense, the brain of the eagle would be incompatible and thus unable to activate the cutie mark's magic.

 

Just two takes on it, I guess.

I don't think having a bird brain would be an impediment to the hippogriffs, as much as they hardly hinder ponies and other intelligent creatures there. 

I think it's possible for a hippogriff to earn a cutie mark, just because they have a pony parent. Not to mention their hindlegs wpuld be poneh 

[Sunset's Shimmer 394]

I would say no.

 

Griffins don't. Draconequus don't. None of the pets do. Not even donkeys like Cranky or Matilda. Only earth ponies/pegasi/unicorns/ and alicorns seem to have them.

 

So again, I would say no.

[Daring_Do 552]

I would say no.

 

Griffins don't. Draconequus don't. None of the pets do. Not even donkeys like Cranky or Matilda. Only earth ponies/pegasi/unicorns/ and alicorns seem to have them.

 

So again, I would say no.

Zebras have them, though.

[Sunset's Shimmer 394]

Zebras have them, though.

 

That's debatable... there's a split of people in the fandom, that believes it's actually a tattoo or design based on that of IRL zebras origin in Africa, and it's tribal connotations.

 

While it's true that horses (equus/ E. ferrus), donkeys (asinus), and zebras (hippotigrus), all come from the same genus (equus). That would mean all of those would have cutie marks. Which clearly isn't the case because, they all belong to a separate sub-genus.

 

Which leads me to conclude that zebras don't have cutie marks.

 

All in all this is a children's TV show, and since we have only seen one zebra in the series, there is no sure canon basis that this is fact.

Edited September 6, 2015 by Shimmerlicious

[Daring_Do 552]

That's debatable... there's a split of people in the fandom, that believes it's actually a tattoo or design based on that of IRL zebras origin in Africa, and it's tribal connotations.

 

While it's true that horses (equus/ E. ferrus), donkeys (asinus), and zebras (hippotigrus), all come from the same genus (equus). That would mean all of those would have cutie marks. Which clearly isn't the case because, they all belong to a separate sub-genus.

 

Which leads me to conclude that zebras don't have cutie marks.

 

All in all this is a children's TV show, and since we have only seen one zebra in the series, there is no sure canon basis that this is fact.

Hmm, interesting. Journal of the Two Sisters says they do, though - and there was a zebra villain in one of the chapter books (don't remember if he was described as having a cutie mark).

[ShadOBabe 18,997]

I've had the headcanon that many types of hybrids can occur between the various sapient races of Equestria.

But only some wind up with cutie marks. For example I have a Next Gen kid between Discord and Celestia. I gave him a cutie mark. But I also have a next gen between Ahuizotl and Daring Do. She DOESN'T have a cutie mark.

 

For me it kind of depends on how pony-like the offspring is.

I would PROBABLY give a hippogriff character a cutie mark. But say a dragon/pony hybrid, probably not.

 

But since their is no evidence to the contrary in the show, the fandom can do whatever they want.

[silvadel 1,393]

Are they a pony?  I think that is what would determine it, if they fundamentally believe they are a pony or not. 

 

This said I do not think a cutie mark is beyond Spike.

[GuyNamedEarl 1,332]

Probably not. I have a theory that Celestia watches over ponies with some room full of TVs or some shit like that and gives her pony subjects cutie marks whenever they do something she wants them to do for the rest of their lives. Pony villa needs a baker? Boom, bread cutie mark.

[-Octavia- 1,176]

Probably not. I have a theory that Celestia watches over ponies with some room full of TVs or some shit like that and gives her pony subjects cutie marks whenever they do something she wants them to do for the rest of their lives. Pony villa needs a baker? Boom, bread cutie mark.

This. Is absolutely. The best theory. I have ever heard.

[AlbaTross 1,586]

In the fandom there is an analyst named Silver Quill. Silver's ponysona he uses is a Hippogriff with a quill cutie mark. Which got me thinking, if a Hippogriff appeared in canon, would it have a cutie mark?

Hi, as this thread isn't directly related to the show it has been moved to Sugarcube Corner.

[silvadel 1,393]

Probably not. I have a theory that Celestia watches over ponies with some room full of TVs or some shit like that and gives her pony subjects cutie marks whenever they do something she wants them to do for the rest of their lives. Pony villa needs a baker? Boom, bread cutie mark.

 

So what does Celestia have against the Cutie Mark Crusaders?  Is she punishing them for their argument that released Discord? 

[Tao 7,482]

I might just say: Why Not?   Are cutie marks just a pony race thing?   The show or mythos has not really said a yes or no fully in explaining  so why not? Or maybe it might only be pony/horse like races that can get them as said,   Hippogriff might be in the gray zone to earn or get one.    Sort of what would happen if the Sirens/Dazzling came back home in pony shape,  would they have one?

[LHfunk 422]

If the Hippogriff is part pony, then yes. It makes sense.

[GuyNamedEarl 1,332]

So what does Celestia have against the Cutie Mark Crusaders? Is she punishing them for their argument that released Discord?

I have another theory that she's aware that the show exists and Ponyvile is some Truman Show type shit and she's just making them suffer to add conflict and drama so people keep watching.

[TerminalObsession 250]

I think it would depend. Some would have cutie marks, some wouldn't, depending on their genes. I believe it's their magic that gives ponies cutie marks, there is evidence to support that. So if the hippogriff had magic, than yes. If it didn't, than it would not have a cutie mark.