The nationality basis of Changelings.

[Magic Man 222]

I was just wondering, Equestria and the ponies' culture seems to be based off North American and Western European cultures. I got to wondering then, what do you think the Changeling kingdom would be based on?

 

I keep imagining as of late their kingdom and society and culture drawing a lot of similarities to Oriental cultures, like Japan and Korea. I guess this is mainly due to Chrysalis' designer, Rebecca Dart was inspired by the work of manga artists Junko Mizuno and Hideshi Hino. I for one champion this, for if we see the Changeling Kingdom in the show it can really enable the show writers and animators to explore some East Asian art, architecture and culture.

 

And picture this: Changeling Samurais! You tell me that would not be awesome.

 

Now close your eyes as you listen to this music: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xY6OSv9KyY&feature=related, picture Changeling children playing in beautiful ornamental gardens with dolls and wooden swords, Changeling mothers laboring in the farms, carrying their babies in satchels on their backs (from many pictures I see of old Japanese mothers), a whole market place full of Changelings going about their business, and finally, in her palace, Chrysalis, sitting crosslegged in her kimono, drinking tea and her child sleeping soundly against her.

Edited October 14, 2012 by Wormtail96

[None42069 520]

Actually, the changeling culture reminds me more of the zerg for their insect style and swarming (and name) and Succubus since they feed on love.

[Perpetual Lurker 9]

I'd rather not base the changelings off of any pre-existing culture as opposed to the classical mythology that they are already based off of. To me, the changelings are the setting's version of the Fae (of which classical changelings were only a subset of). Of course, until we see more of it (most likely in the upcoming comic), everything is up to personal interpretations.

[PonyEcho 1,610]

well i believe they Changelings are apart of Welsh and Celtic mythology but the're portrayed completely different in MLP FiM more towards Siren's and Succubus's.

as for Nationality???? its a cartoon, it doesn't have to be associated to anything

[Perpetual Lurker 9]

well i believe they Changelings are apart of Welsh and Celtic mythology but the're portrayed completely different in MLP FiM more towards Siren's and Succubus's.

as for Nationality???? its a cartoon, it doesn't have to be associated to anything

 

Aside from the insectoid base form, I wouldn't say that the changelings were portrayed all that differently. Classical changelings would take the place of a newborn child and feed off of the life force/love of the parents. The changelings in the show could take the place of anyone to feed off of their loved ones, rather than just babies, but the basic premise is the same.

Edited October 14, 2012 by Perpetual Lurker

[Dusty Soul 2,611]

I can't help, but see the changeling Kingdom as any less then everyone works for the common good of the whole. Basically a colony...

[duidamasterXD 9,627]

Considering that we've seen really next to nothing about how their culture functions we really can't make any judgment about who they are based off of. They seemed to just be insects honestly

[himanuts 165]

I actually speculate for their kingdom to look live a "city-fied" insect hive of sorts. Nothing directly based on human cultures and cities.

 

And if I recall, aren't the comics going to be touching up on this? I believe it was said Twilight and her friends will be visiting the "Changeling Kingdom".

[Magic Man 222]

I actually speculate for their kingdom to look live a "city-fied" insect hive of sorts. Nothing directly based on human cultures and cities.

 

And if I recall, aren't the comics going to be touching up on this? I believe it was said Twilight and her friends will be visiting the "Changeling Kingdom".

 

In that sense it could be like modern-day Tokyo, so large and overpopulated, it would fit the Changelings.

 

That is true, though how canon it will be is up to the reader.

 

I just think it would be cool to make the Changelings Japanese. Imagine the architecture with an insectoid vibe and better yet, Changeling Samurais!!

Edited October 14, 2012 by Wormtail96

[Evilshy 5,090]

well i believe they Changelings are apart of Welsh and Celtic mythology but the're portrayed completely different in MLP FiM more towards Siren's and Succubus's.

 

Well, Lurker already covered Changelings, but the MLP ones aren't really like Sirens or Succubi.

 

Sirens are from Greek mythology. They were originally kinda like Persephone's bodyguards, but Demeter (Persephone's mother) cursed them when they failed to protect her from Hades. Now, they're confined to an island, where they constantly sing, calling out in vain in attempt to find Persephone. Their song is so beautiful that men are drawn to it, and find it near impossible to stop themselves from going to the island, where the Siren's eat them.

 

Succubi are female demons who take the form of beautiful women in order to seduce men. Motivations change from myth to myth, but main ones are to kill them for the hell of it, and to reproduce. In some, demons aren't able to reproduce, and Succubi collect semen from men the seduce, give it to Incubi (their male counterparts), who go and seduce females and impregnate them with the stolen and corrupted semen to produce cambions, who are corrupt, demonic children.

In other mythologies, there are Succubus-like beings. Some are the spirits of dead women who were abused by men, who seek revenge on any men they can; others are demons who seduce men who cheat on their wives and then cut their junk off.

 

Anyway, there are a few parallels between MLP Changelings and Succubi, but not many (sex is the major aspect of Succubus mythology, and you can't really use that in a kid's show ), and there aren't really any similarities with Sirens.

And anyway, MLP Changelings are still closer to mythological Changelings.

[Magic Man 222]

Considering that we've seen really next to nothing about how their culture functions we really can't make any judgment about who they are based off of. They seemed to just be insects honestly

 

That is true. We'll just have to wait and see what Season 3 and the comics have in store for us. I'm mostly just speculating, but I definitely think it would be a good gateway to explore some Asian culture in the show.

 

I can't help, but see the changeling Kingdom as any less then everyone works for the common good of the whole. Basically a colony...

 

Well, I can definitely invision a non-capitalistic, socialistic society in which all citizens are treated fair and equally. I just don't like the hive-mind concept because for me, it destroys the ability to portray Changelings as individuals.

[Chespin 180]

Picture this: Changeling Samurais! You tell me that would not be awesome.

 

Now close your eyes as you listen to this music:, picture Changeling children playing in beautiful ornamental gardens with dolls and wooden swords, Changeling mothers laboring in the farms, carrying their babies in satchels on their backs (from many pictures I see of old Japanese mothers), a whole market place full of Changelings going about their business, and finally, in her palace, Chrysalis, sitting crosslegged in her kimono, drinking tea and her child sleeping soundly against her.

 

THEN APPLEJACK THE SAMURAI COMES AROUND AND STARTS WREAKING THE CHANGLINGS ALONG WITH SOME JAPANESE MUSIC IN THE BACKGROUND

 

Edited October 17, 2012 by Danger Dashie

[Magic Man 222]

THEN APPLEJACK THE SAMURAI COMES AROUND AND STARTS WREAKING THE CHANGLINGS ALONG WITH SOME JAPANESE MUSIC IN THE BACKGROUND

 

 

Yeah...the brave hero attacking a village of innocent women and children who aren't doing anything but living their lives. ...hooray?

[Chespin 180]

Yeah...the brave hero attacking a village of innocent women and children who aren't doing anything but living their lives. ...hooray?

 

 

BECAUSE THEY, EVIL.

 

But anyways, I always wanted to use that picture in one of the topics because It would be so Awesomesause.

[pinkiefan1287 610]

I am going to have to disagree with you on this this Japanese Changeling Kingdom.

 

One, I feel the Changelings don't even have a kingdom. They seem to be a creature that roams the area trying to find food and once they find an area with food, captor the inhabitants of the area, and then they make that spot their kingdom. Then once all the food is gone they move on to the next area and do the same thing.

 

Also the way they act and just attack an area, I don't see them playing with dolls or drinking tea. If anything the Changelings are more like Vikings. Ready for battle, capturing everyone and taking everything, and leaving the area destroyed.

[duidamasterXD 9,627]

 

 

That is true. We'll just have to wait and see what Season 3 and the comics have in store for us. I'm mostly just speculating, but I definitely think it would be a good gateway to explore some Asian culture in the show.

 

 

 

Well, I can definitely invision a non-capitalistic, socialistic society in which all citizens are treated fair and equally. I just don't like the hive-mind concept because for me, it destroys the ability to portray Changelings as individuals.

 

Well it's pretty clear to me that they don't have a hive mind, if they did then Fluttershy and Rainbow's attempts to pass themselves off as changelings would have failed miserably rather than allowing them to get the upper hand

[Blitz 127]

I don't think of them as they would have much of a culture.......... Maybe something along the lines of Ork culture from LOTR, that seems sorta like what their culture would be.

[The Mane-iac 1,648]

I'm with himanut and pinkiefan on this.

 

If they have a kingdom it is going to be akin to a hive, I would say underground anthill type, since they are very insectoid in appearance and behavior. Really though I feel like pinkiefan hit it spot on and they don't actually have a place to call home, they just move along like locust and devour all they can in an area before finding the next stop.