Are the elements of harmony beings or a symbol passed down to each generation?

[TheMarkz0ne 962]

I have wondered, since Celestia has used all the elements on Nightmare Moon before.. What does this mean? Because each Mane 6 is designated one element each. I know I'm explaining basics of the show. But has anyone wondered if the elements of harmony could possibly be actual beings? Or are these simple the most powerful elements in a physical form being passed down to ponies? Because the Mane 6 aren't immortal and one day the elements will need new bearers. 

[Unlikeable Pony 2,698]

Well They aren't even element bearers anymore: They returned the elements to the tree, remember? As such, since the world seemed Okay without the Elements having bearers for 1000 years after they turned into stone after NMM and Celestia fought, I think the world should be okay without the elements.



The EOH THEMSELVES seem to be actual objects, and have no connection to the mane six besides that the mane six used them and embodied their traits. So I don't think The EOH are actual spirits or reincarnated or whatnot. The world existed without the EOH before celestia and Luna took them off the tree for presumably EVER, and they existed for 1000 years after being sealed, and the world will exist with them on the tree too. They're not needed in the world.


That being said, the CONCEPTS of the EOH can still be taught and passed down by the mane six to others as virtues to live by.

[El Duderino 879]

I voted for sentient beings, but I don't think they are quite that. I don't think they are fully sentient, but I do think they represent a magic that manifests itself through other creatures who are deemed worthy. Maybe there is a level of sentience to them because they seem to be able to choose who is worthy or not to wield the power, but I don't think they would be a full sentient being. So, more like a magic force that has some small level of sentience. 

[Vulcan 3,255]

I believe they're semisentient but that's just because I subscribe to the insane headcannon that Harmony was also the name of Celestia and Lunas mother. And her spirit as divided into the 6 elements.

Edited November 16, 2015 by Vulcan

[Broken Gear 29]

  On 2015-11-16 at 6:24 AM, Vulcan said:

Harmony was also the name of Celestia and Lunas mother.

That's... woah.

As for the topic. Personally I don't think elements are sentient. We simply did not see any indications of it. At best I would think they are really powerful magical foci that allow users to perform incredible magical tasks.

Also I have a theory (and headcanon) that they (along with the tree) are the same kind of artefact as alicorn amulet, just done better so that changes in personality are more subtle/non-existent.

Edited November 16, 2015 by Broken Gear

[Vulcan 3,255]

  On 2015-11-16 at 9:30 AM, Broken Gear said:

That's... woah.

.

Is that a bad woah or a good woah?

[Partialgeek514 5,011]

I don't think that the elements themselves are sentient, though I think the Tree of Harmony might be. The elements seem to me to be more of a way to magnify friendship magic. As for the Tree of Harmony, it's a living tree. While I'm not sure if it's fully sentient, I think it's more alive than the elements could be.

[TheMarkz0ne 962]

Yeah I didn't want people to think I forgot about the tree. Obviously I wouldn't. But they're still the elements of harmony in character. No rainbow power would exist without the elements, tree and box. I just thought it be good to discuss the deeper backstory of the elements since we have no idea about their absolute origin. 

[Broken Gear 29]

@, It was a suprised-but-in-a-good-way kind of "woah". Or you could say well-I-didn't-expect-to-hear-that woah.

[Vulcan 3,255]

  On 2015-11-16 at 3:44 PM, Broken Gear said:

@, It was a suprised-but-in-a-good-way kind of "woah". Or you could say well-I-didn't-expect-to-hear-that woah.

Kinda brings a different meaning to the Elements of Harmony

[cmarston1 5,959]

I don't think so.

They were just magical mcguffins used to defeat whatever the main villain of a season premiere or finale, until they returned back to the Tree of Harmony.

[J. Brony 313]

  On 2015-11-16 at 1:20 PM, Partialgeek514 said:

I don't think that the elements themselves are sentient, though I think the Tree of Harmony might be. The elements seem to me to be more of a way to magnify friendship magic. As for the Tree of Harmony, it's a living tree. While I'm not sure if it's fully sentient, I think it's more alive than the elements could be.

 

Indeed.  

 

I don't think the elements themselves are sentient but the Tree of Harmony most certainly is.  Even though the Mane 6 are using its power to accomplish their goals, I feel like the tree is pursuing some agenda of its own.  It did just build Twilight a shiny new castle after all, and that's not something your run-of-the-mill tree is going to do for you.

[Unlikeable Pony 2,698]

  On 2015-11-16 at 9:40 PM, J. Brony said:

Indeed.  

 

I don't think the elements themselves are sentient but the Tree of Harmony most certainly is.  Even though the Mane 6 are using its power to accomplish their goals, I feel like the tree is pursuing some agenda of its own.  It did just build Twilight a shiny new castle after all, and that's not something your run-of-the-mill tree is going to do for you.

Plus, giving the Box to them seems like it would have required an intellect of some kind.

[Manman20x6 359]

The Mane 6 aren't the Elements of Harmony. They embody their values, but the Elements are actual, physical objects which create powerful magic when united by users who are worthy of them.

 

(BTW admins of the forum, that would mean that the description for the "Show Discussion" sub-forum is wrong, since the Elements can't go on adventures due to being made of rock)

  Quote

 

 

What will happen in the next episode? What adventures await the Elements of Harmony? This is where we talk Friendship is Magic 'til the ponies come home.

[Steve Piranha 29,443]

I've been wondering how that magic will pass on now that they are in the tree  . Maybe other poneh can use the EOH magic if those virtues are passed by the Mane6 

[gamecubeguy214 2,512]

They're symbols. The EoH are gems. If they were beings, then they would pretty much be an official Steven Universe ponification, even though MLP came before SU.