What Does the Element of Magic Actually Represent?

[Cwanky 17,674]

This has been an age old riddle that has tormented me for ages, but practically speaking, it is quite relevant to the heart of FiM. The mystery of course is what Twilight's Element of Magic actually represents. In Equestria, a world that defies science and logic and thrives off magic, it's easy enough to say that the Element of Magic represents the magic, or power, of the combined virtues and qualities of the other 5 elements of harmony and friendship combined. But in the real world, where no such magic exists, this creates raises several issues:

• Obviously magic does not exist in our world, so neither the Element of Magic, nor the Element of Sorcery, which was wielded by Starswirl, a Pillar of Harmony, exist. Why does this matter so much? Well Friendship is Magic is a show about moral and life lessons. Every other element bearer, including the Pillars of Harmony, represent real world virtues and values we all can appreciate is important to harmony and friendship, honesty, loyalty, laughter, generosity and kindness have been around since civilization itself.
• Even as we read the show's title, Friendship is Magic, it begs many questions. If that magic as it relates to us is not actual magic, then what is it? We might look to similar format shows like Sailor Moon and say that Twilight Sparkle is the show's main protagonist and a de facto chosen one. Her friends support her and their combined virtues could explain the power of the Element of Magic. However that isn't visible with Starswirl at all, who bears a very similar Element of Sorcery. 
• Moreover, Friendship is Magic elevates all of the Mane 6 as protagonists perhaps almost equally. Often times, especially in later seasons, Twilight's role is mostly, if not entirely overshadowed. Alicorn princess or not, it becomes quite problematic when 1 person is made seemingly more important than their friends who have equally contributed. What makes Twilight, or any alicorn for that matter, more deserving than her arguably equally commendable friends?
• To top this off, we have the issue of the Young 6, most of which aren't able to cast magic, not directly at least, unlike either Twilight or Starswirl. Ocellus would be the most probable candidate for a spellcaster, but she's not a leader nor central character among the group to be considered within that role. Moreover, none of the Young 6 particularly stand out more than the others as a leader so this argument fails.

We don't know if Twilight or the other Mane 6 will be in G5, but it is interesting that rumors about Twilight if she is in G5 involve her now being an Earth pony, which definitely changes the dynamics. Needless to say, I think the Elements of Harmony, at least conceptually will remain important in some form in the next generation of the show. What does everyone think the Element of Magic represents, from either a in universe perspective, or otherwise?

 

[Ittoni 538]

Is the power of hope and believing in yourself thanks to the healthy relationships you've had that give each other support and courage to confront whatever bad thing comes in your way and conquer it.

So the leader is just for story purposes to have a protagonist but it's suppose to represent every person from their own perspective since everyone is necessary to make it happen.

Edited October 3, 2020 by Ittoni

[Metemponychosis 1,262]

I always thought of it as an allegory for that 'magic of friendship' that brings people together. Simple like that.

[Goat-kun 2,530]

Well, Friendship is Magic, so Twilight's element of magic represents Friendship that is in turn an amalgamation of other five elements plus a wee bit o' bullshit that keeps Little Timmy from popping an aneurysm for having a slightly different feel-good interpretation.

[Tom Gallagher 33,614]

The Magic of Friendship! Duh! 

[Splashee 28,589]

1 hour ago, Cwanky said:

We don't know if Twilight or the other Mane 6 will be in G5, but it is interesting that rumors about Twilight if she is in G5 involve her now being an Earth pony, which definitely changes the dynamics

Yea, by the time G5 actually arrives, I believe those rumors would have been around for years. I don't see that happening. If Twilight was going to be an Earth Pony for any reason, why do they stick those wings on her for every time she is represented, Pony Life, Movies, toys. It just doesn't make sense to make her an Earth Pony, at least not after the rumors have been public knowledge for god knows how long, and cannot be verified as true