How does a Pony actually get a "Flowing" mane?

[Twilight Luna 31,449]

1 hour ago, Unity said:

Well, let's just disregard that first one where her hair stops flowing and just say we don't exactly know.

I think it’s whatever the animator feels like doing. Sometimes they make mistakes like Luna’s crown changing multiple times during Twilight’s coronation.

[SharpWit 2,768]

3 hours ago, Unity said:

But Alicorns are most likely Immortal from what we have seen and Twilight is an Alicorn be she does not have a flowing mane.

Twilight isn't immortal though, and neither is Cadence. There's a separation between the royal sisters and "turned" alicorns although it could stand to use some clarification.

3 hours ago, Unity said:

Ridiculously powerful? well, StarSwirl is very powerful and he does not have one.

He's powerful but I think his reputation comes more from his in depth knowledge and creation of new spells whereas Mistmane specialized in one particular area.

3 hours ago, Unity said:

I honestly think it could be a sign of wisdom, why? Because it would make sense that the oldest of the pillars(probably) would have a flowing mane, so would Celestia and Luna who are very old and wise. The only problem with this is that Mistmane had one when she was younger.

I'm not sure she's the oldest. She became all withered while she was still relatively young. And although she did go to the top magic school of her region, the question of Starswirl comes up again. They royal sisters I'm sure are wise, however they're so focused on their duties as rulers that sometimes they're incapable of performing what we'd consider a menial task.

I think mastering your own unique magic works the best. The royal sisters can move celestial bodies which no one else can unless they grant you their power or if you're discord but his whole thing is to be the rulebreaker/exception. It works for Starswirl as well because although he's very powerful and knowledgeable, he left a lot of incomplete spells behind, and they're on various subjects, which would make for becoming a master quite difficult.

[BornAgainBrony 2,398]

Could it be indicative of their connection to celestial objects? In space there's no gravity (alright, I know actually there is and the reason weightlessness is experienced, but... yeah) and the way their manes move sort of makes me think of what I'd expect from someone with long hair on the space station.

I've always wondered why Twilight and Cadence don't have this.

Just now, SharpWit said:

Twilight isn't immortal though, and neither is Cadence. There's a separation between the royal sisters and "turned" alicorns although it could stand to use some clarification.

 But when Flurryheart was born, Celestia and Luna said it was the first time there had ever been a natural-born Alicorn. So both of them must have ascended too.

Edited August 13, 2018 by bornAgainEquestrian

[Wonderbolt Slipstream 264]

Conditioner. Really, really good conditioner.

[Senko 459]

Personally I like the theory that its a pony equilvalent of magic makeup. Just like some ponies (cough, rarity, cough) use powders and conditioners to get that silky smooth muzzle coat really powerful unicorns are able to use magic to cause their manes to flow and sparkle in the air. The thing is you need two conditions for this (1) powerful magic to sustain the spell and (2) enough vanity to want to cast it in the first place. Most unicorns don't have the power/control they may know a few spells for their personal area but they don't diversify like Celestia, Luna and Mistmane do. Similarly of those with the skill/time to learn this kind of diversification most simply aren't interested in using some of their power to make themselves look pretty. So ponies like Starswirl and Twilight simply don't have the interst to make their manes float and sparkle, others like Cadence or Rarity don't have the diversification in spell use or are content with just looking like other ponies (cadence actually grumbles about being known as the pretty princess rather than being known for a specfiic talent in the comics). On the other hand Celestia, Luna and Mistmane all have the magic skill and power combined with a desire to look pretty/imposing that they do bother giving themselves floating manes. Sure Mistmane gave up her "beauty" to help her friend but before hand she obviously took some pride in her apperance so suddenly becoming an old pony in looks made her even more interested in keeping the last bit of it she had her magic mane. Similarly Luna has no problem sustaining her mane while  asleep but does lose it when hit by a massive blast of purifying magic leavnig her dazed and weakened temporarily.

I actually saw this theory originally in the whole contrast between episode 2 Luna and her normal apperance they felt Celestia/Luna are normally just like other ponies but hide it with makeup magic to help them be more imposing ponies. Doesn't really work with where the show has gone since then (the theory itself was part of an abandoned fanfic) but it does work with the manes.

[Sunny Fox 5,952]

Another data point to consider... Twilight's Kingdom. When Twilight had the powers of the other alicorns, her mane started to glow and flow just like P Celly' and Moonbutt's manes. And again when she actually had the lower the moon and raise the sun. The sisters have just being doing that for so long, it's a more or less permanent effect for them.

[Unity 332]

30 minutes ago, SharpWit said:

Twilight isn't immortal though, and neither is Cadence. There's a separation between the royal sisters and "turned" alicorns although it could stand to use some clarification.

 

Well, nobody knows that.

 We have no idea if Twilight and Cadance will be immortal or just age slower than other ponies as they are too young to tell.

3 minutes ago, Sunny Fox said:

Another data point to consider... Twilight's Kingdom. When Twilight had the powers of the other alicorns, her mane started to glow and flow just like P Celly' and Moonbutt's manes. And again when she actually had the lower the moon and raise the sun. The sisters have just being doing that for so long, it's a more or less permanent effect for them.

Actually that is very true.

Theirs stopped and hers started.

This clearly means that magical power is behind this, but what about Mistmane then?

[Sunny Fox 5,952]

4 minutes ago, Unity said:

This clearly means that magical power is behind this, but what about Mistmane then?

I have no idea, I haven't seen that particular episode yet.

[Unity 332]

7 minutes ago, Sunny Fox said:

I have no idea, I haven't seen that particular episode yet.

Spoiler free summary/ This is Mistmane one of the Pillars which area pretty much the older Elements of Harmony.

She has a flowing mane and her "element" is beauty she is not an Alicorn.

edit not sure if you saw Healing but it is actually beauty as her element

Edited August 13, 2018 by Unity

[MaresFillies 146]

I always thought that was reserved for Deity type ponies. <3 Like Celestia and Luna, but ever since the princesses can transfer their powers to another alicorn, it seems there is more to it than just being "born" powerful. 

[SharpWit 2,768]

On ‎8‎/‎12‎/‎2018 at 9:49 PM, bornAgainEquestrian said:

But when Flurryheart was born, Celestia and Luna said it was the first time there had ever been a natural-born Alicorn. So both of them must have ascended too.

https://scifi.stackexchange.com/questions/148428/were-celestia-and-luna-born-as-alicorn

[SharpWit 2,768]

On ‎8‎/‎12‎/‎2018 at 10:20 PM, Unity said:

Well, nobody knows that.

 We have no idea if Twilight and Cadance will be immortal or just age slower than other ponies as they are too young to tell.

https://www.equestriadaily.com/2013/04/twilight-sparkle-wont-outlive-her.html

[Senko 459]

23 minutes ago, SharpWit said:

https://www.equestriadaily.com/2013/04/twilight-sparkle-wont-outlive-her.html

I've always wondered a bit about that quote was it a throw away comment to calm fans and if not well . . .

Timeline 1: In a final massive battle Twilight and her friends die saving Equestria.

Timeline 2: In a final massive battle Twilight and her friends die failing to save Equestria.

Timeline 3: Twilight ages and dies at a normal pony lifespan.

Timeline 4: Twilight's friends eventually also ascend and become immortal Alicorns.

Timeline 5: Their link to the elements of Harmony keep Twilight and her friends alive eternally.

Timeline 6: A magic experiement by Susnset and Starlight accidentally puts all of ponyville including the elements of Harmony into stasis.

Many, many possibilities while remaining true to that statement.

[Unity 332]

4 minutes ago, Senko said:

I've always wondered a bit about that quote was it a throw away comment to calm fans and if not well . . .

Timeline 1: In a final massive battle Twilight and her friends die saving Equestria.

Timeline 2: In a final massive battle Twilight and her friends die failing to save Equestria.

Timeline 3: Twilight ages and dies at a normal pony lifespan.

Timeline 4: Twilight's friends eventually also ascend and become immortal Alicorns.

Timeline 5: Their link to the elements of Harmony keep Twilight and her friends alive eternally.

Timeline 6: A magic experiement by Susnset and Starlight accidentally puts all of ponyville including the elements of Harmony into stasis.

Many, many possibilities while remaining true to that statement.

Timeline 7: We have no idea so we cannot make any sort of inference.

37 minutes ago, SharpWit said:

https://scifi.stackexchange.com/questions/148428/were-celestia-and-luna-born-as-alicorn

This proves nothing.

nothing here can prove anything as we don't know for sure

[BornAgainBrony 2,398]

8 hours ago, SharpWit said:

https://scifi.stackexchange.com/questions/148428/were-celestia-and-luna-born-as-alicorn

That seems like a really tricksy half-truth, even with how Celestia has pushed Twilight in certain directions over the years. Why would she do that?

 

8 hours ago, Senko said:

I've always wondered a bit about that quote was it a throw away comment to calm fans and if not well . . .

Timeline 1: In a final massive battle Twilight and her friends die saving Equestria.

Timeline 2: In a final massive battle Twilight and her friends die failing to save Equestria.

Timeline 3: Twilight ages and dies at a normal pony lifespan.

Timeline 4: Twilight's friends eventually also ascend and become immortal Alicorns.

Timeline 5: Their link to the elements of Harmony keep Twilight and her friends alive eternally.

Timeline 6: A magic experiement by Susnset and Starlight accidentally puts all of ponyville including the elements of Harmony into stasis.

Many, many possibilities while remaining true to that statement.

Timeline 7:Twilight doesn't age, has to watch her friends die, and then...
 

 

[Unity 332]

1 hour ago, Califorum said:

I believe a flowing mane signifies they have more magic than a normal pony, or are gifted in someway, beyond what other ponies are.

Many people have said that.

but look at StarSwirl, i have said this alot but he is quite strong but does not have one.

and i think that everypony is gifted in someway that others are not, Its what their entire society with cutie marks is based upon.

[Unity 332]

56 minutes ago, Califorum said:

Maybe since he doesn't want to have one or something? He's a natural born unicorn, Starlight didn't have a flowing mane either even though she is quite magically strong.

I really dont think you can decline to have a show of great power.

but this is a quote from one of my comments on the first page which i am still sticking too.

"What if it is not a sign of great power or any single thing, but multiple. Think about it. Celestia and Luna are Alicorns, both are very old and quite knowledgeable, so maybe one reason for a mane like that is becoming and Aging as an Alicorn. Cadance and Twilight are too young to show the signs if this is the case, and for Mistmane it could be that since she has the magic of beauty i guess you could say, so she is the master of her own magic. So i think its either Master your own unique magic, or become an Alicorn and age quite a bit. I cant say for sure yet though."

[Unity 332]

1 hour ago, Califorum said:

That pretty much hits the nail on the head from what I was thinking.

is that a term of agreement?

[SharpWit 2,768]

23 hours ago, bornAgainEquestrian said:

That seems like a really tricksy half-truth, even with how Celestia has pushed Twilight in certain directions over the years. Why would she do that?

If you mean why she would turn Twilight into an Alcorn Princess, the short answer is toy sales.

[Senko 459]

On 8/15/2018 at 12:49 AM, bornAgainEquestrian said:

That seems like a really tricksy half-truth, even with how Celestia has pushed Twilight in certain directions over the years. Why would she do that?

In terms of the world itself more powerful defenders, back up princesses, genuine desire to help her be all she can be perhaps.

[BornAgainBrony 2,398]

26 minutes ago, Senko said:

In terms of the world itself more powerful defenders, back up princesses, genuine desire to help her be all she can be perhaps.

 

26 minutes ago, Senko said:

In terms of the world itself more powerful defenders, back up princesses, genuine desire to help her be all she can be perhaps.

No, I mean why would she say that there had never been an Alicorn born in (specifically) Equestria before. It's a kind of slick play on words that comes out like, "We don't know what to do with this," even though she DID have knowledge that it has happened before.

[Senko 459]

10 hours ago, bornAgainEquestrian said:

 

No, I mean why would she say that there had never been an Alicorn born in (specifically) Equestria before. It's a kind of slick play on words that comes out like, "We don't know what to do with this," even though she DID have knowledge that it has happened before.

Considering the history we've seen implies they were born after Equestria was founded i took it to be a literal statement and they were ascended Alicorns as well.