'Ponies with Navels' Trend Discussion

[Unikitty 1,212]

Put simply; it's just a taste some have. Some people like pony art that is particularly furry, and some like to see navels.
I find that the certain attraction towards navelled anthropomorphic characters I know of is due to that slight humanistic touch it gives. Too much like the animal, and it loses it's human feel.
Other people may just have an attraction to human navels, and thus would naturally find a navelled anthropomorphic character to be more attractive.

[Arylett Charnoa 4,919]

Because they are crazy? 

 

Nah. Most likely, it's because the internet is full of weird random humor that I don't find amusing myself, and putting belly buttons on some ponies is apparently entertaining/funny to those who partake in the meme. At least, that's it for this particular one. They may just also like how it looks.

 

Outside of the meme, it is likely out of a desire to further anthropomorphize ponies, without going into (what may be for some people) uncomfortable furry territory. The ponies are already quite humanlike, and adding that small touch helps humanize them further. Also, due to attraction as some have said. They might have some kind of... special liking for that.

 

Or just for the hell of it, really. Because they felt like it. People do that sometimes too.

 

I know nobody meant this by it, but I myself am just as baffled as you. Can't control the huge irrational disgust I feel when I see them. Would be one thing if the pony was anthro, but it is just a normal show pony with one. It looks so out of place and does not fit in my eyes. I'm not offended by them, just... don't like looking at them. And can't really understand why people would enjoy that at all due to the strong negative emotion I feel when I look at them, but oh well. All I can do is make up a bunch of reasons why I think this might be. Everyone's different, I guess. Just a matter of personal preference. (I still say they're nuts. )

Edited April 3, 2013 by Princess Arylett

[Neikos 968]

To also add my 0.02$.

 

I don't find it disgusting anyway, while it is true that every mammal has them you don't see them on horses due to the healing + fur. So why do some find it fun/more appealing to draw?

 

In my opinion it's an attempt at pseudo anthropomorphization with a mix of neoteny. Since a belly button both removes a layer of privat-ness and adds more 'infantile carelessness'.

 

Of course I'm not a psychologist but that model makes sense in my head and fits into my headcanon of why some might like FiM to begin with.

Edited April 3, 2013 by Neikifly

[Miss Light Diamond 2,803]

I think it makes them look freaking adorable 

Anyway...I do know what you mean though, allot of people are drawing them that way now...I have no problem with it, but when you think about it, it is a little strange...but still adorable...

[PlunderSteed 1,252]

I can certainly see how it might be interpreted as suggestive (or used for that on purpose).  Here's how it works...

 

Generally, when you see a picture of an adult with an exposed navel, it's because they are not fully clothed.  This is key: its presence means that the subject of the image is partially naked.  Now, the characters in this show are almost always naked, and it's no big deal.  But then add a little bit of clothing, and it draws attention to the fact that the rest of their clothes are missing.  Ponies with stocking works because of the same principle: they're wearing stocking, but no panties.  Very effective, even when done with subtlety.  An image of a human wearing the exact same clothing articles would be considered fairly graphic.

 

Even without any kind of graphic depiction of nether bits, the presence of navels and stockings draw the eye to that region.  Obviously, not everybody sees it that way, and not every drawing with navels and stockings were made with that intention.  Just trying to explore the psychological reasons why people consider them suggestive in the first place.

 

EDIT: really thought-provoking thread, by the way. 

Edited April 3, 2013 by NLR Information Minister

[Tia Is Best Pony 310]

to me it makes no sense at all but its kinda like a fad or something basically they say ponies have the right to a navel lol i don't really get it but hey whatever makes you happy 

[~Chaotic Fireball~ 499]

Oh, you know, just one of the usual brony revolutions, like the 'secret' revolution that I'm in (Hint: profile pic)

People make up stuff and trends when they get bored. And anyways, everypony seems to like the pictures (I do too) probably becsue it makes them look like their stomachs are showing, even though their stomachs ARE showing all the time, because ponies are naked! Confusing, isn't it?

[Neikos 968]

Even without any kind of graphic depiction of nether bits, the presence of navels and stockings draw the eye to that region.  Obviously, not everybody sees it that way, and not every drawing with navels and stockings were made with that intention.  Just trying to explore the psychological reasons why people consider them suggestive in the first place.

 

That paragraph struck me a bit weird. I'm not sure you would call the Navel suggestive. And it's usually situated quite above the private parts so I don't see how that would make it any more suggestive than their neck. ( Unless by 'that region' you mean the whole belly which is the same point though, what are you calling suggestive? )

[PlunderSteed 1,252]

That paragraph struck me a bit weird. I'm not sure you would call the Navel suggestive. And it's usually situated quite above the private parts so I don't see how that would make it any more suggestive than their neck. ( Unless by 'that region' you mean the whole belly which is the same point though, what are you calling suggestive? )

 

I'm saying that the presence of a (human-like) navel can imply or hint at the presence of other (human-like) parts.  In humans, you never get one without the other.  This principle is especially apparent when the angles work like these ones:

 

http://mlpforums.com/index.php?app=core&module=attach&section=attach&attach_rel_module=post&attach_id=43469

 

http://mlpforums.com/index.php?app=core&module=attach&section=attach&attach_rel_module=post&attach_id=46723

[Neikos 968]

I'm saying that the presence of a (human-like) navel can imply or hint at the presence of other (human-like) parts.  In humans, you never get one without the other.  This principle is especially apparent when the angles work like these ones:

 

http://mlpforums.com/index.php?app=core&module=attach&section=attach&attach_rel_module=post&attach_id=43469

 

http://mlpforums.com/index.php?app=core&module=attach&section=attach&attach_rel_module=post&attach_id=46723

 

Sure but that doesn't mean you display them. But I do agree on the tendency of going more towards Anthro. ( Soon everyone will have Equestria Girls avatars ! )

[PlunderSteed 1,252]

Sure but that doesn't mean you display them. But I do agree on the tendency of going more towards Anthro. ( Soon everyone will have Equestria Girls avatars ! )

 

You're right.  All I was trying to articulate was the suggestive idea that certain anatomy is there at all (since it isn't in the show).

 

Also...everyone having Equestria Girls avatars?

 

Hmm...*drifts off into Imaginationland*

 

[Radiance64 7,059]

I dunno, I think it's cute personally, it just adds a little something that makes their bellies stand out more really. It's totally harmless.

[stainesbrony 219]

I actually have no idea as to why that is. I'd just ask the artists why they put belly buttons on their pony pictures. Well, derp.

[duidamasterXD 9,627]

It's all part of ~Chaotic Discord's master plan, to spread his navel obsession to the entire fandom.

 

My guess would just be that it's an attention-catching artistic quirk and that it makes them look cuter to some. I'm not an artist, so I can't say for sure.

Edited April 4, 2013 by DashForever

[Kyoshi Frost Wolf 42,205]

For me personally, I think it actually does look cute. Beyond that, I am not an artist. If I was, I would be creating many great masterpieces but alas, my skills are horrid.

 

It is difficult to explain why it is more cute for me, perhaps it is some deep psychological thing...

[Lewis the Brony 110]

Because, they're in the Nevy!

 

Oh lol, it is personally funny. But yeah, I don't really get the belly buttons on ponies. I really don't, all I can say is that they're part of the Nevy, and they're ready to take up arms of belly buttons.

Edited April 4, 2013 by Lewis the Brony

[Courageous Thunder Dash 7,826]

'Cause it's cute that's why. It just adds a whole new thing to the picture. Especially if the pony in the pic is in the perfect pose of the situation. 

[TailsIsNotAlone 3,697]

I dunno, I guess some people think it's cute. That's fine by me, but I'm not interested in it. I like the ponies the way they are on the show.

[NavelColt 22,883]

It just seems weird. There is not really much to add besides the fact that it seems abnormal to draw ponies(not humanized) with belly buttons. I have seen some avatars with ponies drawn with belly buttons. I have nothing against it, but it just seems...weird. 

 

I've merged your topic, 'Why do people draw ponies with belly buttons?' with the pre-existing topic, "'Ponies with Navels' Trend Discussion", as they're discussing the same trend of ponies being drawn with and possessing navels inside the fandom.

 

Really glad to see the topic garnishing so much discussion, by the way <3

[Dashabel 381]

Belly buttons make me feel... Weird. I don't know why.

This is quite a new thing, I never used to acknowledge them, but now I see them everywhere!

[BronyPony 575]

I've merged your topic, 'Why do people draw ponies with belly buttons?' with the pre-existing topic, "'Ponies with Navels' Trend Discussion", as they're discussing the same trend of ponies being drawn with and possessing navels inside the fandom.

 

Really glad to see the topic garnishing so much discussion, by the way <3

I thought the topic got deleted for some reason. But nevermind.  

 

I think whenever humans see some creature that it really likes or tries to make a great communication with, it has to have some relation to it. In this case, human features are a necessary part of this. In this case, humans can most identify with the belly button(naval, but I call it belly button because...I love the word  )

[NavelColt 22,883]

I thought the topic got deleted for some reason. But nevermind. 

 

I think whenever humans see some creature that it really likes or tries to make a great communication with, it has to have some relation to it. In this case, human features are a necessary part of this. In this case, humans can most identify with the belly button(naval, but I call it belly button because...I love the word  )

 

Topics vanish sometimes xD

 

To an extent, certainly :3 I think it makes them cuter and since they're already so very loaded with human traits, having a navel doesn't seem like anything but a simple, cute little addition. And, yeah. Belly button is definitely the more fun term x3

[Arylett Charnoa 4,919]

Since this topic has become more broad, I thought I'd share my thoughts more on way I have this irrational disgust/dislike of how ponies with navels looks.

 

 

In my opinion it's an attempt at pseudo anthropomorphization with a mix of neoteny. Since a belly button both removes a layer of privat-ness and adds more 'infantile carelessness'.

 

Of course I'm not a psychologist but that model makes sense in my head and fits into my headcanon of why some might like FiM to begin with.

This is actually part of the reason I find it disgusting. It makes them look more childish, and I... kind of think pedophilia, to be honest. I'm NOT SAYING though that people are pedophiles for partaking in it. I know it's harmless and for fun. It just gives me that uncomfortable vibe. Though I already find children without shirts to be gross. Just something about that... hairlessly and cleanness is unnerving to me. I don't really like things that look like children at all. For instance, I'm completely disinterested in the filly design on the show and don't care for it at all. I find children to be one of the most unattractive things on the planet, so looking more like a human child definitely DOES NOT help in my mind.

 

I'm aware that the adult ponies themselves invoke neoteny and youth themes, but they do so in a way that's just far enough from humans. That and the show's style is really cartoony and not close to reality, so that helps. Adding a belly button, even if it's a minor touch, makes them even closer, and adds more realism. It is a minor and subtle touch, but still disturbing to me. I cringe a little whenever I see one, and can't quite understand why I have such a strong repulsive reaction to it. The machinations of my mind don't make sense even to me, trust me. Yes, it seems silly. And once again, I don't hate or insult anyone for partaking in the fad. In case you misinterpreted that.

[Jack Baker 698]

I have to say, it does look weird in a way. I can't imagine ponies having navels on them, so seeing avatars like what the admins and mods have, is a bit disturbing to say the least.

[Pinguino~ 85]

Well at first it did seem a bit weird but it tends to grow on you and it does add to the adorable factor, but overall it just has a pleasing affect on the eyes hard to explain like cool colors like neon green and neon purple it has a calming effect. But that could just be me, everypony is different.