I never really liked the idea of them. It just seems sorta useless if they all have to be present AND wearing the artifacts. Supposedly they're the most powerful force in Equestria, but for what? All it seems to do is make them float in the air (spooky) and zap some poor soul away. I guess they're just banished right? Certainly they wouldn't kill anypony. I'm probably missing the big point here, but it just seems like a gimmick to me. From what I've seen, normal magic from powerful figures like Celestia can do the same thing on their own. What happens if one element is missing, are they all just screwed? If it's as powerful as it's supposed to be, shouldn't there be a fail-safe or something? Let other worthy ponies weild them.
I think the elements united are stronger than any one character, hence why Celestia and Luna used them to defeat Discord, and why Celestia used them on Luna herself (if I'm remembering correctly, it's late where I am). If you look at the cutie marks of the characters that wield them and their personalities, as well as the appearances and names of the elements, there seems to be something unique about each character that makes the element they wield usable, but only by them. This, of course, would have changed from when Celestia used them to when the mane six used them. It's a sort of intriguing plot point that never appears to be fully fleshed out, and it does bring into question the presence of the tree of harmony.
My theory is that the Elements are the physical form of the original Equestrian magic: the Fire of Friendship. According to the Hearth's Warming Eve story, it was formed when three members of the different tribes realized for the first time that friendship was stronger than hate, and thus is the first instance of "the magic of friendship" in known pony history. The spell was first cast in a cave... a cave not unlike the one where the Tree of Harmony was found. I think it'll eventually come out that The Tree of Harmony was created from the Fire of Friendship itself, either by happy accident or by design.
Then maybe there's other instances of the elements working together elsewhere? I'm wondering if the mane 6 even has enough power to cover the whole planet, or just the region they're in. It'd be a good reason for the show to explore other places of the world. And building on that, have they ever revealed the name of the planet they are on? I don't think they ever even detailed the geography beyond Equestria.
That's a good thought. Honestly, I agree with you but maybe there has to be some kind of fail safe. For example, each of the mane six (to me at least) display some other unique traits of the others that is not just a representation of themselves. (I hope that made sense because it did in my head.) For example, I am confident they can wield the elements even with a member or two missing because they have each of those traits within themselves. Like Applejack is the element of honesty, but she is always extremely loyal to her friends, making me believe that in the event that Rainbow isn't around for whatever reason, AJ can represent her element without any issues and vice-versa if AJ wasn't around. The same for let's say Rarity. If she can't make it to a battle, who is to say that Fluttershy can't represent both kindness and generosity? And what if Pinkie eats too many muffins and is busy vomiting to make it to a showdown? Should Rainbow be able to represent laughter as well? I think the only way they can all be screwed in the end is if Twilight doesn't show up because I think in order for the elements to even kick in, they need the element of magic, right? I dunno...those are my thoughts.
I thought it'd be better off if they could have many traits, they aren't exactly unique. I bet there's many people that are very honest, or generous. It's just weird that they only represent one trait each, but they should be capable of holding any other trait (except magic, but Rarity is there)
I agree because if they are lacking one member of the mane six they can still utilize the elements if they have to without fear that the elements won't work. And I totally forgot about Rarity and magic. She definitely could step in for Twilight, but her magic is nowhere near as powerful as Twilight.
I bet with enough practice she can get stronger. I think any unicorn is capable of having really strong magic, they just need to know how to cast and use it.
I think that analysis plays fast and loose with the concept of the traits determining the user of each element; unless the elements are in a different form (as they were when Luna and Celestia fought Discord or when Celestia fought Nightmare Moon) then it would be apparent that each element is used only by the character who most embodies those traits. Any character can be honest, generous, loyal, etc., but what matters more, seemingly, is that each element has now molded its appearance - and if we're following the rhetoric of the show, its function as well - to suit each individual character. It's not that Twilight can't be generous or that Rarity can't use magic, but rather that each of those characters would appear to have a higher ceiling for their potential in each of their own key traits. Just my two cents.
