What does representing the elements of harmony mean?

[Mysterycat 27]

Okay so the ponies had to (spoiler) give up the Elements of Harmony so the Tree of Harmony wouldn't lose its magic. However, the MLP Wiki still talks about the Mane Six representing the Elements of Harmony and so does the website.

What does representing the Elements of Harmony mean? Does it just mean having traits associated with them like anyone kind could represent the Element of Kindness? Do they still represent them?

[碇 シンジン 27,427]

I think that the elements created some kind of connection to them when they first used them as such they became the representatives of the elements. Link between ponies and elements can be seen seen in Magical Mystery Cure. It could be argued that other ponies could've filled the spots too if they were present at the discovery of the elements instead of Mane 6.

Also I dont think the physical elements disappeared or anything they just are stored in the tree to power it up  and the ponies still have a connection to them so they still basically represent them or are their holders. 

[SugarCoatxMarblePie 701]

Idk. But it could also be their personalities revolve around those elements. Like Twi was nothing socially, without her friends. Fluttershy's entire hobby and social interaction relates to kindness, and when she has trouble being kind, such as the Iron Will episode, she still comes back to it. It doesn't mean they are flawless.

Anyways they say there are generally 6 personality types given to women in novels, and the mane 6 each represent one. I heard that's why they did it that way. And some say Dash should be honesty because she blurts out the truth when its inappropriate. But its not just doing it because its good, its using it wisely(think tanks for the memories when Flutters makes Dash accept reality), and its built to their character development and struggles. Like AJ had trouble being honest to herself that she needed rest, because working was good for her family. Dash abandons everyone letting them down in the show before her sonic rainboom, but everyone is there for her, and she pulls through her fears for others.

TBH, the writers are not flawless, either.

Edited April 16, 2017 by CuriUndersXeno