The Elements of Harmony

[@aisudracov3314]

Its funny, watching this video 5 years later and the origins of the Elements of Harmony revealed. As Starswirls narrates about the Pillars of Equestria, the pillar relating to honesty, strength, is listed off first. Rockhoof is also shown to be the first one to be rescued from the falling rocks. Rockhoof's artifact is also the first one shown to be found. So the emphasis on Honesty/Strength being first holds true, even to this day. And if you replace integrity with the word strength, everything else holds true in this video too. Especially if you think of integrity as the strength to do what is right, no matter the challenges or consequences that may come from it.

[@Taking.it.Easy.17]

Without Honesty (that is the foundation of a relationship) you can't build ANY kind of relationship with your Friends, Lovers or Family or anybody. It isn't a hidden truth. And yet not many REALLY understand the Importance of Applejack Character and her Element. When they say she is their least favorite element, maybe they don't understand that she is probably the most important Element! With Honesty there is Trust! And Trust is the base for a good relationship and friendship. Isn't any wonder that Applejack is a Apple farmer? Integrity and Honesty are the ROOT OF THE TREE!

[@quijotapazos2750]

Every element is important but yeah...a lot of people doesnt seem to undertand how important honesty is in a relationship nowadays. And by honesty I'm not meaning telling your friends every single of your personal secrets or just being rude, I mean telling you the truth when you need it the most, even if it's hard to swallow... Applejack seems to be a very down to Earth pony which reminds me of Realism, no sugar coating. Honesty is one of my best qualities but certain people prefers a beautiful lie to an ugly truth. And true generosity is the opposite to narcissism. Self-sacrifice.

[@angelofdarkness4791]

@@quijotapazos2750 so true

[@angelofdarkness4791]

#peter luis what you said is so true

[@atreyisimagination]

If I’m honest this is very true and I’m the most honest out of my friends

[@jillpigott7959]

I liked how you showed pictures from the show when you were mentioning false generosity, false loyalty, etc. It reminded me of how clever and classy the show has been.

[@Taedyn]

While on the subject of the Elements of Harmony, has anyone else noticed that each pony's element is often their greatest weakness? Applejack (honesty) is the most self deceptive. Rarity (generosity) tends to be the most greedy at times. Pinkie (laughter) has depression when unable to spread joy. Dash (loyalty) struggles with who's side she's on. Fluttershy (kindness) is the only one to have any true moments of cruelty. Even Twilight (Magic/Friendship) tends toward isolation with a need to be in control (a minor stretch I know). I think Dr. Wolf should expand on this possibility that the elements aren't just their strongest traits, but the traits they need the most.

[@StrikerFX47]

This particular analysis is intriguing and deep. I do not think at all that this is a coincidence. None of the other elements could exist without integrity. Great work Drwolf001.

[@DRWolf001]

Thank you kindly.

[@SleepingSilentBelle]

That was a very neat thought, and I can agree with it entirely. You always make really well thought-out videos and argue very solid points. Thanks for making this video.

[@kazukulelescartooniverse5583]

Alternate title in 2013 brony lingo: Apple pony best pony Really though, amazing video! Timeless.

[@SockyNoob]

My conclusion: the writers are geniuses.

[@SkyPikachu1]

maybe the element of honesty is the 2nd strongest overall and honesty is the attribute we can see most often

[@atreyisimagination]

Mhm

[@pandorapegasister2268]

actually, i think twi read it like this: kindness, laughter, generosity, honesty, and loyalty.

[@TigerTwinblade]

This makes a lot of sense to me and I think to a lot more people

[@chloerose1342]

Sorry *"My sister and I once harnessed the elements but they were discorded one by one" Celestia: Magic, Discord: Laughter, Luna: Loyalty (Unloyal to her sister [They were discorded]), Sombra: Honesty (lied to Celestia and the Chrystal ponies), Chrysalis: Kindness (Just look at how cruel she is!) Next villain: Generosity (Perhaps the villain from Chrystal heart spell that wants everything)

[@Skorch88]

Honesty is like the foundation of any group. Friends or organization alike. without a good foundation, everything will eventually crumble.

[@Gsculthorp]

Nice observation. And recent personal experience has made this video very relevant in my own life. I've been living a lie for the past year and a half, and was very recently outed for it. I thought I could lie and still be a good person, but that turned out not to be the case. Honesty must come before all else, and honesty towards oneself before honesty towards others.

[@funestis]

Actually corrupted loyalty is zealotry, devotion and patriotism. Although the last two might seem positive qualities, they actually are not.

[@sonicgail]

5:15 that actually has a reason, Applejack can lasso the other elements and hold them down to make it easier for Twilight Sparkle to help them also, the writers are trying to teach the childeren that honesty and integrety comes before all else

[@akmalsy159]

Very interesting concept, never would've thought of it myself

[@godcrys4tradgy]

I still think SJ and dashie should have switched elements

[@ffxtime]

very well done and thought out video how does this not have more views

[@misswinterandsnow]

i but being honest to my top goal it is very inportant to me and I am very happy that mlp think that too

[@Sandalwoodrk]

applejack is probably just their favourite or something. anytime im ordering the mane 6 regardless of the reason, i start with pinkie without thinking. once it makes a groove, it just kinda stays that way. especially since in most of those cases im sure the order didnt really matter.

[@byter75]

To quote a great man: "Again, It's like poetry, they ryhme. Every stanza kinda ryhes with the last one. Hopefully it'll work." Honestly though, all the elements would lead to a dysfunctional group if it wasn't present or was flipped to be the opposite. Also, by the logic of order relating to importance. Does that mean magic is the least important? (as it is always mentioned last?)

[@Spiritstar0]

i can't help but compare the Elements of Harmony to the crests in Digimon. Fluttershy represents kindness, but also Love. Rainbow Dash represents Loyalty but also Courage. Pinkie pie, Laughter and sincerity, Twilight, Magic and curiosity.see where i'm going here?

[@strawberrycream8224]

(after a few minutes) Well,they are the same elements that are in the show... I have magic,Minty has kindness,Neon Blitz has loyalty,Pumpkin Spice has honesty,Rose Thorn has Laughter,and my sister,Berry Bomb has generosity somehow.. She is not generous at all.

[@myersa80]

I like to think that there's a living opposite to Discord out there somewhere in Equestria that embodies the stiff, cold nature of the Elements of Harmony, but taken to their natural extremes so as not to be truly friendly anymore. (Honesty taken to its extreme means everyone says what's on their mind no matter how rude, etc.) It likely won't happen, but it's a fun thought.

[@LTDLimiTeD1995]

Character wise, I think AJ has the best character. Unlike Rainbow Dash, AJ tries to hold up her pride without cheating.

[@Zezistor]

You missed a point!! Applejack's name starts with a, and a is first in the alphabet ;D

[@BlessedCobra]

Applejack is also the first one of the mane 6 to ask for a ticket in the ticket master, and the first (besides Twilight) to have her own episode. Though this might have to do with Applejack instead of Honesty.

[@DragoSonicMile]

The reason Celestia could only banish Nightmare Moon was because true Harmony cannot exist in just one entity. As such, Celestia could not free her sister from darkness and hatred all by herself. ... Honesty is the best policy and I think you hit this point dead-center.

[@lovesytycd1212]

You also forgot that Applejack was the first to have "her own" episode (though you could argue that Twilight had The Ticket Master). She certainly wasn't being very honest with herself during Applebuck Season and what she learns at the end is not to let her stubborn pride get in the way.

[@TheStarryArcher1213]

You make a good, interesting point on the subject of honesty and integrity being important to the other Elements of Harmony. I think that the other Elements also affect honesty in certain ways. One might speak up or keep silent out of loyalty, make and keep promises to give their time to others, offer kind, reassuring words, or point out silver linings to lift another's spirits. It reminds me of something I read a while back in a post about the Undertale soul traits. Each human soul has a major trait that determines its color, but all human souls have determination. The post said something along the lines that kindness could be the determination to show consideration for others, justice was the determination to be fair, etc. Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us! ^_^

[@racheldeem7912]

Well Celestia who could only wield three elements Magic, Kindness and Generosity and Luna who could only wield the other three Loyalty, Honesty and Laughter. So when Luna was Nightmare Moon (Night Mare Moon), when Celestia used the Elements of Harmony against Nightmare Moon, Celestia could only use a fraction of their power because Celestia could only wield three of the elements.

[@angewomon143]

Aj is just awesome

[@strawberrycream8224]

There are 6 more secret Elements of Harmony...In the alternate dimension,that is... -uses flawless magic to show everybody the other elements- ):D

[@brentramsten249]

applejack ftw... bless you for making this good sir... bless you

[@TheStarryArcher1213]

Your analysis regarding the importance of honesty and its influence on the different virtues was very interesting and had some pretty good points. Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us. ^_^ I do wonder why they called Twilight's element "Magic" though. What exactly is this element? According to the series title, "friendship is magic", so is Twilight's element technically friendship? Why not call it that then? Most of my MLP knowledge comes from the Web and watching MLP reviews, so I'm still a bit in the dark. ^^;

[@byter75]

That might be cool yeh. I would like the potential of the elements to change, to be used more fluidly. I mean they are just a muggufin, lets see what happens when the wrong people use it for their evil ideas of harmony? What about other heroes or combinations of the M6 splitting or using the elements in different ways. There's so many ways one an be harmonious. The elements really should reflect that, rather then prescribing conformity to the M6's origonal template. bleh. ;)

[@Lyoko2516]

Pause at 2:34. HOW in the HAY did Rarity get her horn back, bronies?

[@theoneonyoutube4925]

Elements without Integrity: Generosity: Vanity Loyalty: Facade Kindness: Bribery Laughter: Denial Magic: Snake Oil Funny you should mention Applejack keeping the group together, because that’s essentially what integrity itself is! Plus, I just find it cool how Applejack and Twilight act as book ends-Honesty has to come before everything else, and Magic can only appear after all the other elements.

[@glambert1449]

“The elements of harmony are a source of immense power so much so they are the only force in Equestria to give pause to the spirit of chaos himself!” Wait... Starlight glimmer was able to banish Discord from school grounds. Banish.Starlight could have more magic than alicorn! Because Celestia and Luna are needed to use the Elements of Harmony to banish Discord! And starlight was able to lift herself up you think her unicorn horn which Twilight is not able to do. I think?

[@byter75]

Yeh it's a shame the elements *could be seen* to work that way. :( So fixed, so rigid. It kinda makes harmony very prescriptive doesn't it? Some of my best friends I got through great loyalty to them to start with. By treating them with decency and giving them their first ever helping hand. But under this model I wouldn't be able 2 wield the elements with them... :( I'd prefer the elements to be made more fluid in future, and less fixed... make them less ugly and more useful 4 potential stories!

[@PlanetZoidstar]

4:30 - Rarity has her horn back!

[@doranrahne9143]

In real life a certain degree of honesty and trust has to exist before a friendship can form. Honesty is turned outwards because we reflect it to others in the way we present ourselves. Trust is turned inwards because we trust others to be honest. In MLP trust seems to be implicit all the time. This may be because a culture of honour and integrity is strong in Equestria, but it may be also be that it is easier to write and demonstrate honesty than trust in a 22 minute show aimed at little girls. Without Honesty, Loyalty cannot exist. Loyalty will seem like a hollow, one way obligation without a good degree of Honesty. Laughter can exist without Honesty, but Laughter can at times be cruel without it. Kindness cannot exist without Honesty. At best it would seem like an obligation that is expected to be returned. At worst it would seem like a bribe. Generosity would also follow a similar pattern. Magic may be arguably the exception here, but I think it is more likely to be the strongest one linked to Honesty. After all, the show's title is "Friendship is Magic", which strongly implies a literal link between Magic and friendship, and friendship requires trust in the form of Honesty to even exist. Edit: I'm loving these analysis videos. I haven't thought this deeply about any topic for a very long time.

[@markokelly2494]

In the high and far off times (before Celestia and Luna gave birth to each other), there was a powerful item called the Rainbow of Light. At the time of the Faustian Refraction, the R of L was split into six items, the Elements of Harmony. This is hinted at in the Völuspa, and may have been explicitly stated in one of the now-lost parts of Enuma Eliš.

[@Furore2323]

THE TEST OF GENEROSITY WAS PERFICK RARARA IS ALWAYS BEST PONE No, just kidding. I do think that the Steven Magnet scene was great, and displayed Generosity just fine. But I agree that the Honesty test was pretty damn weak. RD's test of Loyalty was my least favourite - it felt too sudden and forced to present any real temptation. All up - still loving these essays. Please, carry on, good sir.

[@angelofdarkness4791]

That is so totally true, we all MUST be honest with ourselves before each other

[@Spiritstar0]

i never thought of it that way!

[@buttercupkat]

How amazing your truth is! If only everybody understood this.

[@shadowXtras]

God Applejack is so cool. ^J^

[@codyfan15]

Integrity was the 4th element in magical mystery cure

[@elderscrollsswimmer4833]

Yes... Kindness, loyalty, generosity, honesty and laughter. Seems to me like laughter tends to come last.

[@elderscrollsswimmer4833]

Well, yes-- honesty but you DO need the others too. It's not a relationship without loyalty. Kindness for comfort, generousity because you need to give your time and effort to it -- laughter to get over awkward situations... and well, yes, Trust, friendship... well, I suppose it Is like magic how friends can really turn a bad a day into a good one.

[@Ismalith]

will there be a new version of this video after there had been so much new details about the Elements of Harmony

[@alicelim3171]

true

[@DigiKat1]

And that's why Applejack is best pony. :P

[@GunmetalGator]

Look at Mad Munchkin's vid on Return to Harmony. It explains a good reference to greek mythos.

[@brentramsten249]

2:00 this explanation provides all answers and doesn't break canon /watch?v=dGLhLn8DPes

[@MelancholyLizz]

celestia wields 3 elements and luna who was nightmare moon wield and represent the other 3 and luna was corrupted so tia can't use the full power of the elements

[@rainbowmelody4393]

Well celestia had to banish luna cause she didn't complitly control the elements it is her and luna that where capable of using them properly

[@Nothin2seehere-e4z]

I think that both love and honset holds them together. I mean if you love someone you want to be honest, loyal , kind, generous, joyful, and friendship(magic) with them.

[@chloerose1342]

Celestia: Magic

[@artoftheghostie]

wow, just...wow

[@tajariponyshmirtz8328]

Applejack is best pony

[@royhe3154]

I think it's just because AJ is the first alphabeticly

[@L0ver0fHumanity]

You just blew my mind!

[@DRWolf001]

Glad to hear that you enjoyed the concept.

[@TheMoondail]

to be honest with ones self is very important and I think all the elements are in the main six but each have one that is amplified. each has learned about the others and is now having to see all a one. my thoughts :D

[@jaiden5941]

The value of truth, the honesty that bonds friends. A good relationship depends on trust. Did anyone read Knackerman's Broken series? How about Knackerman's Something Sweet to Bite series? In both series, Applejack was the first victim, or second in the case of "Something Sweet to Bite" after Apple Bloom. Discord broke Applejack in "Broken: Honesty," breaking the rest of the Bearers after...

[@DreamLionViolet]

... And how did Applejack get her cutie mark? By being honest with herself

[@elderscrollsswimmer4833]

Yes... Rainbow got hers by being loyal (to Fluttershy, as that's why she was racing in the first place) -- Fluttershy got hers by calming animals with kindness -- Rarity with her gem-dresses for the school-play (a gift, and she wasn't on the spotlight) Pinkie for spreading joy to her very somber family. Twilight? Letting go/losing control, her magic doing it's own thing...

[@yolomaster1492]

After the season 4 premiere, half of your question is answered. The elements of harmony come from the tree of harmony, but it is unknown what the elements of harmony are, I think.

[@D777COBY7]

You are a smart cookie :)

[@morgana7842]

I think it's because you can't have a friendship without honesty because it wouldn't be a friendship without it

[@anntseng7969]

This is genius

[@endercat1707]

Never saw applejack that way but it makes sense

[@hyattcale202]

I like the element of magic and loyalty and laughter

[@VioletNKisHere]

The order discord used was the smartest order. Applejack would tell her friends and is probably the one that end his friends. Then applejack herding skill was important.

[@iamRageTheWolf]

noting the movies and season 4 (key eps) the answer is (kinda sadly because it's an interesting point) no it is coincidence/got to know her first

[@Katzenkaiser4]

that is so awesome^^

[@gulomijomesh9551]

I thinks you are onto something with your "honesty first"-idea. It comes again twice in the forth season. First Applejack’s element is the first one Twilight take to put it into the tree of harmony. Second, while Applejack’s key episode is the last one (except Twilight’s), his entry in the journal is the first one. As we can assume that the episodes do not take place in the same order as they aired, it is likely that Applejack was the first pony to get her key.

[@beleiveinthemagic123]

4:30 Rarity is cheating

[@dogeytp7998]

I think i know why she couldnt purify luna or discord Ther are elements of harmony Right? With discord there were two alicorns, nothing different With nightmare moon it was just a pony (an alicorn) And what starlight/twilight said? "Without balance ( since one pony was there to use the elements on luna)/differences (relating to two alicorns using the elements on discord) theres no HARMONY!!!" So they just become banishing gems Thats why i think that the main six, wich were 2 pagusus 2 earthponies and 2 unicorns, managed to purify luna (and later discord) Since they were different and in ballance (1 element per pony) they could do such a thing That just my idea tho

[@danielletoomey6360]

Also apple jack displayed her elemment first in the forst when she saved twight light

[@whyamimars4173]

4:27 if discord removed all the horns and wings why the hell does rarity have a horn

[@OtakuAudioRedux]

Animation mistake?

[@whyamimars4173]

OtakuAudioRedux I guess

[@ShyyGaladriel]

derp

[@charmianernest1449]

Can you please do more

[@AiephrusGoldwing]

The 7th and 8th elements: Piracy and Stealth.

[@robertcooper4th259]

Ok, now compare them to the chaos emeralds and explain how sonic x mlp is a good crossover. I’m not kidding, there’s 700 plus sonic x mlp crossovers on the internet made by fans and I want to understand why it’s more popular than sonic x mario.

[@atreyisimagination]

Applejack my fav character and she’s most disliked this gives her important

[@nekonomicon9938]

Applejack and Twilight are best friends lol

[@vulpesrocktails918]

you mean a twilight SPARKle?! XD

[@elderscrollsswimmer4833]

Yes... though now, maybe understanding is her thing... a part in what finally makes the friendship be magic. It does require a good grasp of the whole, after all. And also what the others were lacking at first. Such as in Look Before You Sleep -- AJ and Rarity just don't understand each other, like at all -- until that night. Pretty much for Twilight's sake alone -- and all Twilight does during the branch thing is... read her book about sleepovers? Then again, her involvement would have more or less prevented the other two from gaining understanding so perhaps it was for the best...

[@hyattcale202]

And the mean six anti magic lazynes dishonesty madness greedynes hatred

[@georgeburton2725]

Wwwwwwwwwwwwwwhat!

[@kazukulelescartooniverse5583]

Alternate title in 2013 brony lingo: Apple pony best pony Really though, amazing video! Timeless.