The My Little Pony franchise is famous for cutie marks, unique picture-like symbols located on a creature's haunches where livestock branding is usually performed. The term is a play on "beauty mark" and is also reminiscent of "quarter mark". Cutie marks generally relate to the personality, employment, or talent of their owners.
History[]
Generation 1[]
Cutie Marks have existed in some capacity since Generation 1. They were originally called "Rump Designs" and "symbols".
Generation 2[]
Generation 3[]
They only gained the "Cutie Mark" name in Generation 3.
Generation 4[]
In Generation 4, the TV series said that a pony's destiny is linked to their cutie mark. Many of the episodes and occurrences in the show were centered around cutie marks and their meaning to ponies.
In the season 1 episode Bridle Gossip, Zecora the zebra is the first non-pony character shown with a cutie mark.
In the season 6 episode The Fault in Our Cutie Marks, Gabby the griffon yearns for a cutie mark, and the question of whether or not non-pony creatures (aside from zebras) can gain cutie marks is brought up.
Generation 5[]
In Generation 5, ponies only have a Cutie Mark on their right side. In the IDW Comics, however, ponies still have a Cutie Mark on both flanks.
Dragons have also evolved to have their own unique brand of cutie mark. Allura has a cutie mark as well.
Trivia[]
- Since the end of G4, dragons have evolved to have cutie marks in G5. This is presumably because after the dragons became friendlier, they gained more magic. Spike is the only dragon shown without a cutie mark, presumably because he's from the older generation of dragons.