spoiler New information on Cutie marks (and Speculation)

[Marimo 555]

 

 

That cooould be the case, but then wouldn't of spike received a cutie mark by now then? He absolutely thinks and behaves like a Pony. Also not having a cutie mark can be advantageous as well, Starlight Glimmers entire plan would of crumbled if Spike had been with the mane six specifically because he doesn't have a cutie mark and he could send word to Celestia. 

Wha? I never said the griffon would actually get a cutie mark. I'm just suggesting that the griffon thinks it's a pony or at least that she can get a cutie mark. I never said the griffon would actually get a cutie mark. 

[Buck Testa 5,505]

Wha? I never said the griffon would actually get a cutie mark. I'm just suggesting that the griffon thinks it's a pony or at least that she can get a cutie mark. I never said the griffon would actually get a cutie mark. 

Misread ya then 

Although from what I'm hearing this "griffon getting cutie marks" info is probably more true than not. 

[Unlikeable Pony 2,698]

 I'm just suggesting that the griffon thinks it's a pony

Hah, that reminds me of that old S1 episode idea of Faust's of AJ and RD stumbling across a Pony that had been adopted by deer and thought it was one.

[Marimo 555]

Hah, that reminds me of that old S1 episode idea of Faust's of AJ and RD stumbling across a Pony that had been adopted by deer and thought it was one.

That would probably be because I cited it earlier when I made my suggestion.

 

 

It could also be that this is one of those kinds of plots where a creature of some species, usually a young one, tries to be like a creature of another species. It could even be a reworked version of that episode idea Lauren mentioned once about a pony who grew up thinking they were a deer, only we have a griffon trying to be/growing up believing they're a pony.

 

[Unlikeable Pony 2,698]

 

That would probably be because I cited it earlier when I made my suggestion.

 

 

 

 

Ah sorry there, came into the thread late and didn't read too much of page 1. >.<

[KatonRyu 1,033]

I honestly hope the griffons won't end up getting Cutie Marks. From what I've seen so far, destiny is a pretty powerful force in Equestria. If the Tree seeks to give Cutie Marks to other races, that might imply that a Cutie Mark is a shackle rather than a liberation. It's a bleak reminder that destiny has the final say over your life. It makes me think that the Wheel of Fate must turn, and all souls must be drawn to the purifying rhythm of birth, death, and rebirth.

 

Legacy of Kain references aside, I really don't think this religious imposition of destiny upon other races is a desirable thing, no matter how sugary or cutesy the motive might seem to be. I can't really explain it properly, but it just feels all wrong.

[Buck Testa 5,505]

I honestly hope the griffons won't end up getting Cutie Marks. From what I've seen so far, destiny is a pretty powerful force in Equestria. If the Tree seeks to give Cutie Marks to other races, that might imply that a Cutie Mark is a shackle rather than a liberation. It's a bleak reminder that destiny has the final say over your life. It makes me think that the Wheel of Fate must turn, and all souls must be drawn to the purifying rhythm of birth, death, and rebirth.

 

Legacy of Kain references aside, I really don't think this religious imposition of destiny upon other races is a desirable thing, no matter how sugary or cutesy the motive might seem to be. I can't really explain it properly, but it just feels all wrong.

This show has an uncomfortably friendly relationship with mind alteration magic. Think about it; In one flashback Cadence used her magic to make a quarreling couple at a table to start being lovey dovey towards eachother

It seemed relatively innocent enough

But then you think: Wait a second, we have no idea who these two ponies are. Who says they are a couple at all? What if they were business partners debating over a deal? What if they were both married to other ponies? What if they were siblings?

It doesn't matter now because Cadence asserted her will into the situation and now they are infatuated with each other, regardless of whatever taboos that might break.

 

Twilight has bragged about using the "want it need it spell" more than once, and wanted to use mind alteration magic on Discord to "Make him good." , the only reason she didn't is because Discord sought out and distroyed the pages with those spells on it, implying that that magic WOULD of Worked.

 

Starlight Glimmer's Equal Sign Cutie marks really weren't all that different than either Cadences or Twilights spells. She was asserting her will on other ponies and attempting to coerce them in the direction she thought was right, in this case, total and literal equality. It repressed everything that made the ponies unique until they were all just smiling and terrified subjects to her ideology.

 

Those cutie marks also aren't all that different than regular cutie marks. Like I've said, you don't "have" to follow the suggestions of the cutie mark, but you will be miserable if you fight against it and will feel much more fulfilled if you DO follow along. They aren't as aggressive as the Equal sign marks, but they are influential. Influential enough that an entire population will restructure its memory to believe that your cutie mark is correct even if it came from another pony and it doesn't represent your talent. 

"Its What my cutie mark is telling me"

 

There is a trade off with what The Tree of Harmony is offering. There is much more peace and order in a race that has them, but the opportunities you have in life are pretty much nullified in favor of the "best possible option."  

The ponies certainly needed it, because they couldn't maintain peace among themselves enough to get the Windegos to leave them alone. Giving into Harmony, into "friendship" as the Tree pitches it, is what made their land as prosperous as it was. 

However like I said, if the Griffons all of a sudden become more prosperous and organized because they have cutie marks, It begs the question of how much influence these little marks on their flanks REALLY have. 

[Midnight Glitter 0]

Personally, I have to agree with Buck Tests here about the ToH being a sentient deity. I mean, we've already seen that the Tree can give powers, referencing when it gave the Maine 6 their supercharged harmony forms. Aside from that, as stated before, ponies, as a race, receive cutie marks so that they can get along with each other, otherwise their hatred for each other would tear the world apart. That being said, if another race were to create enough negative energy to stir up the Windigos again, I see no reason why the tree wouldn't send cutie marks to those races too. Based off of previous knowledge, it would appear that the Tree of Harmony's sole purpose is to keep the world from ending, the job most gods are tasked with in lore. 

 

     A summary: in the interest of keeping the planet spinning, I believe the ToH would definitely give cutie marks to the races that threatened to bring the Windigos back. 

 

                    Midnight Glitter out!