Are Celestia and Luna meant to be Equestria’s true leaders?

[ManaMinori 4,149]

Now before you guys reach for your torches and pitchforks, just hear me out. I think there may be substantial reason as to why these two aren’t really meant to be real Princesses over Equestria. To understand, we need to take a look at the Tree of Harmony. The Tree was a source of hope and protection that was planted by the Pillars. What it wound up bearing were the Elements of Harmony. Key word here being “elements”. Does anyone wonder why the elements of harmony took on the form of precious stones, whether they were being harnessed by the alicorn sisters, changed into stone spheres upon becoming dormant, or stones in the shape of the Mane 6’s cutie marks, once reactivated?

 

I think the key here may lie in alchemy. What is most commonly associated with this is the creation of the Philosopher’s Stone, a substance which is believed to turn common base metals like mercury or silver into rare and expensive ones, such as silver and gold. This substance is also believed to be the elixir of life, which had rejuvenating powers and could used to become immortal.

 

Looking at the symbols that are on the Tree of Harmony, one being a sun, the other a moon, and the last being a 6-pointed star, I find it rather difficult to believe that, as in the branches, the significance of the trunk doesn’t also point toward being related to stones in some way. How so?

 

One might look at the symbols on the base and tie them with the cutie marks of Celestia, Luna, and Twilight, but everything may not be what they appear to be at first glance. Recall that back in “Cutie Mark Chronicles”, Cheerilee mentioned that cutie marks can be abstract, much like hers is.

 

If the symbols on the base of the tree are more symbolic than literal, then I believe that they point not Celestia and Luna being the true rulers of Equestria, but two other Alicorn Princesses that were only seen in the toyline. Princess Gold Lily and Princess Sterling.

 

Allow me to explain- in Alchemy, there is something that is known as TriaPrima, or The Three Primes. One being sulfur, which represents the mind, the next being mercury, which represents the spirit, and salt, the body (base matter) which comprised material substances. Sulfur- also known as Brimstone- which is associated with heat, dryness and masculinity, much like the sun. The element of Gold also bears the alchemic symbol of the sun. This is why I believe that Princess Gold Lily is the true Princess of the Sun.

 

Mercury is an element that is represented by a symbol made up of an upward pointing crescent moon on top of what we call the ‘female symbol’ today. Mercury, interestingly enough, is known as hydragyrum, or quicksilver, and like the spirit that it represents, can shift between solid and liquid states (much like the element of water, which is ruled by the moon- a feminine celestial body). Thus, it is no coincidence that Princess Sterling (in association with quicksilver) is the true Princess of the Moon.

 

With that established, I’d like to point to one other key player in all of this. According to the Journal of the Two Sisters, one of the very first ponies that had been introduced to the false sun and moon horses at a significant point in time- that being completed construction of the co-ruling sisters of the celestial bodies- sun and moon- the castle of the Two Sisters, shortly after Equestria’s founding…...

 

Princess Platinum.

 

The daughter of the unicorn King, Bullion. While she was painted as a prissy and rather rude pony in the Journal, I do believe that her introduction at this time is also no coincidence. Platinum in alchemy is represented by a symbol which is the combination of two different alchemical symbols- that being silver (moon) and gold (sun).

 

Again, the names of Princess Gold Lily and Sterling fit perfectly in association with these elements and symbols. But what do you guys think?

 

[cuteycindyhoney 13,339]

There has been no mention of Alchemy in the series. They do possess magic, but we also see that they have true science. I also understood that many of the toys aren't even canon to G4. 

[ManaMinori 4,149]

2 hours ago, cuteycindyhoney said:

There has been no mention of Alchemy in the series. They do possess magic, but we also see that they have true science. I also understood that many of the toys aren't even canon to G4. 

the science they perform (specifically taught in magic kindergarden) IS alchemy. You can see that right from Twilight's dialogue.

 

Chemistry, from the ancient Egyptian word "khēmia" meaning transmutation of earth, is the science of matter at the atomic to molecular scale, dealing primarily with collections of atoms, such as molecules, crystals, and metals.

[cuteycindyhoney 13,339]

They have electricity, telephones, X-Ray machines, steam engines, sophisticated enough chemistry(not the guesswork of alchemy) to produce photographic film, printing presses, motion pictures, hydro-electric dams. I'm sorry, but the ancient guess work of alchemy couldn't produce any of that. Every one of the things I mentioned is actually seen in an episode. The only hint of alchemy in the old meaning of the word seen so far is in a fictional story Twilight is reading to Starlight on Hearth's Warming Eve. Snowfall Frost is depicted as turning rocks into gold, but ringing bells distract her.

 

Besides, I seriously doubt that this late in the series, they'll suddenly introduce two new characters and say "Oops, here are the true leaders. Ignore those trouble making sisters we talked about for 8 seasons." that would be poor writing, and jumping the shark most foul.

[Mirage 24,777]

I've always had the impression that Celestia and Luna are stewards of Equestria. They do not purport to be the 'rightful heir' of their position at all. They guard Equestria and manage it with their powers because that is what they were destined to do at this time. In other words, they accept their role and do in fact teach others about them, especially Twilight and Cadance...Starlight Glimmer to some degree but I'm not opening that can of worms...at least any more than I just did. 

[09MurphyM 4]

They essentially are the highest authority in the land of Equestria.

[Goat-kun 2,531]

Or it could be Apollo and Artemis-ish symbolism. Also, I'm pretty sure Magnus Opus elements take precedence when it comes to alchemy, and ponies aren't exactly masters of elemental magic. Anyhow, this is all you need to know about the true nature of Equestrian power structure:

[ManaMinori 4,149]

18 hours ago, cuteycindyhoney said:

They have electricity, telephones, X-Ray machines, steam engines, sophisticated enough chemistry(not the guesswork of alchemy) to produce photographic film, printing presses, motion pictures, hydro-electric dams. I'm sorry, but the ancient guess work of alchemy couldn't produce any of that. Every one of the things I mentioned is actually seen in an episode. The only hint of alchemy in the old meaning of the word seen so far is in a fictional story Twilight is reading to Starlight on Hearth's Warming Eve. Snowfall Frost is depicted as turning rocks into gold, but ringing bells distract her.

 

Besides, I seriously doubt that this late in the series, they'll suddenly introduce two new characters and say "Oops, here are the true leaders. Ignore those trouble making sisters we talked about for 8 seasons." that would be poor writing, and jumping the shark most foul.

no one said it needed to be referenced by the show

[cuteycindyhoney 13,339]

3 hours ago, Nightmare Muffin said:

no one said it needed to be referenced by the show

I don't understand. If it isn't referenced by the show, it has no existence.

[ManaMinori 4,149]

27 minutes ago, cuteycindyhoney said:

I don't understand. If it isn't referenced by the show, it has no existence.

ummm....wow. Way to discredit all the hard work that the book writers and comic staff do.

[cuteycindyhoney 13,339]

Just now, Nightmare Muffin said:

ummm....wow. Way to discredit all the hard work that the book writers and comic staff do.

I know absolutely nothing about the comics or books. I only know the animated episodes.  Besides, I thought it has been established that the books and comics aren't canonical to the show.

[heavens-champion 1,907]

Yes, I'm pretty sure they're supposed to be Equestria's true leaders.