Cutie-Mark Symbolism

Now, Cutie-Marks come in all shapes and sizes and they can have simple or complicated meanings, some are subtle and deep, others obvious and easy. A lot of cutie-marks tend to be simple in general (that's mostly from our pov since most ponies are background characters) and of course there are some that are more unique and harder to understand. Devil's in the details, after all.

Take Cheerilee, for example. At first glance, one would think her mark has to do with flowers, but looking at it more carefully you see the smiles on them and Cheerilee confirmed her mark represents helping her little ponies blossom and smile by nurturing them with guidance and that's why she became a teacher.

So the obvious doesn't necessarily mean the real deal.

So let's look at some generic symbols and discuss what they could mean in relation to a mark and a talent.

Star - involves Magic, studies of stars, or invokes a sense of wonder and seeing things from another perspective

Heart - involves caring, compassion, love of something or someone

Musical Note - involves music, writing it, playing it, finding rhythm and melody in the world around one's self

Some kind of Musical instrument - a love of a certain instrument and the music it can play

Flower - love of flowers, planting and nurturing them, enjoyment of life (like "smelling the roses"), the joy of seeing something grow

Sun - being bright, passionate, knowledge/studies of the sun, being able to shine, to be an example

Moon - being bright yet subtle, to brave the unknown of the darkness, to change like the phases of the moon

Cloud - being relaxed like a cloud floating along in the sky, knowledge/studies of clouds

Lightning Bolt - being fast, bold, daring, charging without hesitation

Sword - skilled with swordplay, being a warrior

Shield - having the spirit of a protector, prioritizing defense over offense

Feather - being light of heart, mind, and body, soft and gentle, subtle, perhaps an indication for laughter or smarts or writing, or light on one's hooves/wings

Hoof Print / Horseshoe - hard work, strength, travel, taking a walk/journey

Balloon - whimsy, fun, wonder, partying

Gemstone - gemology, beauty

Rock / Stone

Hourglass - time

Watch

Butterfly

Quill

Scroll

Map

Compass rose

Book

Baked Goods, like a Cupcake

Chef hat

Cooking utensils

Fire

Bubbles

Waves

Some kind of Animal

Paw prints

Ribbon

Spool of Thread and/or Sewing Needle

I'll stop the list there. I invite you to pick any of these symbols and define what you think they represent in relation to what a pony's mark, talent, or even their destiny could be, in the comments below, and explain why you came to these conclusions

If a symbol in particular isn't on the list, feel free to say which one and explain what you think it represents. Just remember, these symbols' meanings are meant to be in general, universal, don't think too much about them in relation to a pony in particular

Comments

[Tiber Septim II]

The Cutie Mark of an instrument would be a Violin, meaning he or she has a talent in composing or playing music with his or her friends and family and I think it is the best cutie mark ever known.

[Southern Wing]

A book Cutie Mark could mean the pony is either meant to write books or study history. Alternatively it could even mean they’re suppose to be a writing or history teacher.