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Heeeellllooooo' eevverrryypppooonnnnyyyy!!
( Welcome to learning more about Zebras!!)
Not sure if anypony has noticed or not, but there are several zebra ocs plus a small part of the fandom devoted to them!
I have only posted a few examples here.
I have only posted a few examples here.
This Lecture will include everything about Zebras, plus the different aspects to how people make 'em. So please, keep from all comments until the end of this journal entry, and enjoy~ ;3
Let's start off with the only Zebra we know...
Originally planned to be a shaman, Zecora was introduced and was created by Lauren Faust. She was suppose to be a mentor, and sage-like character within the show. In many ways, she's still all those things. She's known to create potions that helps other ponies, and also knows quite a bit about herbs. Some argue whether or not she has a cutiemark or not, and in fact is still in large debate. (We'll get to that later)
She chose to live in the Everfree Forest, and as revealed in the comics she chose this so that her potion-making does not hurt other ponies. But do other zebras make potions? And what are other zebras like?
"I know, she not a pony. Good example though"
So how does that help us understand Zebras? It gives us more information on what we can expect their culture is like. There are most likely other types of Zebras, just like how there's more types of ponies. Not all of them will make potions, but know that we know that their race is based off African culture... maybe Zebras can be shamans, healers, jewelry makers, and more. Or, the Zebra can easily be influenced by another culture and wish to have another talent. It's not unheard of.
"Oc example time..."
She chose to live in the Everfree Forest, and as revealed in the comics she chose this so that her potion-making does not hurt other ponies. But do other zebras make potions? And what are other zebras like?
"I know, she not a pony. Good example though"
Based on what we know, Zecora and Zebras are based off of African culture. Their jewelry is the same as what Zecora wears, and all around Zecora's home is references to African culture. And, as quoted from the MLP Wikia.. "....She wears dzilla neck rings, traditionally worn by the Ndebelepeople of Southern Africa.[8] The traditional masks in her hut are a feature of the art and culture of Subsaharan and Western Africa. Zecora chants and speaks in an approximation of the Eastern African Swahili language; the crew did not have time or resources to hire a Swahili translator, so they asked Brenda Crichlow to improvise. There is also a North American influence: on the door of her hut hangs a dreamcatcher, an object found in the cultures of Native Americans...."
So how does that help us understand Zebras? It gives us more information on what we can expect their culture is like. There are most likely other types of Zebras, just like how there's more types of ponies. Not all of them will make potions, but know that we know that their race is based off African culture... maybe Zebras can be shamans, healers, jewelry makers, and more. Or, the Zebra can easily be influenced by another culture and wish to have another talent. It's not unheard of.
"Oc example time..."
Here, we see that this Zebra Oc has taken the accessories of African Culture, and included the talent "Tarot Reading". That's the card, btw. For those who do not know, "Tarot Reading" are cards that are used to read the past, present, and future. Here, the creator of this oc wanted this Zebra to read tarot decks and tell ponies their futures. It's a perfectly valid mystical talent that I can see happening, and is just a fine example of what other Zebras can do.
Anything mystical really makes you think of shamans.. but how much Zebras know about magic is unknown. Their knowledge of it is better than the average pony, and I can only imagine all the Zebra Ocs that easily have a great understanding to it compared to others. Some Zebra Ocs are invested in dark magic, healing magic, etc. Others, no magic at all.
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"What about their coat? Always black and white?
We've seen several Zebra Ocs come in all sorts of shades, colors, and more. Some Zebras Ocs will even keep their black and white coat, but make their mane different colors. A few Zebra Ocs have it to where their stripes are different shades even. Whether or not it's right, doesn't really matter.
It's artists being creative, and after all this is Equestia. If colorful ponies exist, why not colorful zebras?
"Yes, I'm including my own ocs :3"
Anything mystical really makes you think of shamans.. but how much Zebras know about magic is unknown. Their knowledge of it is better than the average pony, and I can only imagine all the Zebra Ocs that easily have a great understanding to it compared to others. Some Zebra Ocs are invested in dark magic, healing magic, etc. Others, no magic at all.
<da:thumb id="441542391"/>
"What about their coat? Always black and white?
It's artists being creative, and after all this is Equestia. If colorful ponies exist, why not colorful zebras?
"Yes, I'm including my own ocs :3"
These two zebra ocs were created by me, and a simple click will take you to their page to learn more about them. Lila is on the left, Latif is on the right. I based their names off Swahili, and their cutiemarks are african symbols that represent different things. Check them out to learn more.
When designing Latif, I wanted his stripes to be a bit different, and when design a Zebra not only do you think of the stripes... but the muzzle as well. Is the muzzle covered, or exposed a bit more. As you see on Lila, I have half her muzzle covered which to me is quite cute. I also added a stripe under her eye. When designing the stripes around the legs, just keep in mind that Zecora's stripes do not circle all the way around. Other stripes may be, but most don't. Add in half a stripe, and you'll see what I mean.
"But do Zebras have cutiemarks?"
This is something that will always be debatable no matter what... Are ponies the only ones with cutiemarks, or do Zebras get them too? Why do Zebras get cutiemarks, if they do? What else could be on their butt besides a cutiemark?
Based on some fanfic, and some theories.. people claim that Zebras have tattoos instead of cutiemarks. The tattoo representing their sole talent, and some mlp roleplaying systems follow that. You can look at Zecora's and think,"Well what the heck is it, anyway?" And I don't blame you. To some, it's like a tribal symbol for sun... to others it represents other things. To me, well it represents her pot. How she stirs the pot to make potions, and the flickers represent the potions. That's just me though.
Whether or not they have cutiemarks could make a huge difference what they are... I heard that S5 will reveal a bit more about cutiemarks, so we'll have to see.
Based on some fanfic, and some theories.. people claim that Zebras have tattoos instead of cutiemarks. The tattoo representing their sole talent, and some mlp roleplaying systems follow that. You can look at Zecora's and think,"Well what the heck is it, anyway?" And I don't blame you. To some, it's like a tribal symbol for sun... to others it represents other things. To me, well it represents her pot. How she stirs the pot to make potions, and the flickers represent the potions. That's just me though.
Whether or not they have cutiemarks could make a huge difference what they are... I heard that S5 will reveal a bit more about cutiemarks, so we'll have to see.
So, what makes up Zebras?
We may never figure out what makes Zebras... well, Zebras, but we know that they certainly are their own unique race. Their stripes and hoofs are what sets them apart, and even their tails are different than other ponies. When creating your own Zebra, I hope that you have fun with the designing the stripes, and keep in mind that you can be as creative as you want to.
I hope that all this helped you create Zebras! And know how you can customize them!
Thanks for reading!
Ends on Jan 31 | Surfing Switch YCH
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