What makes a pony a Nirvana Pony?

[jrr74]

So according to the website MyLittleWiki, "Nirvana ponies are pony variants with very limited distribution. (Variants on the ponies sold in North America)."

I have the book, The World of My Little Pony Nirvana Guide and in it includes ponies distributed to Germany only.  So looking at the definition put out by MyLittleWiki, I don't see how ponies such as Nightlight and Raindrop fit in.  As far as I know, the US does not have a version of either one of these ponies, similar perhaps.  And if these two do somehow fit into the definition of a Nirvana Pony, wouldn't many of the UK released ponies too?  That brings up another question, what exactly is a European released pony?  Does it apply to any pony sold within the borders of Europe?  Please , someone educate me!

[lunar_scythe]

So much just depends on who you talk to. . Usually, I think Raindrop and Nightlight are included as Nirvanas because they were part of the set with alt pose Skydancer and Starshine, and weren't released with any other sets(I think!), if that makes sense? It's easier to include a whole set as 'Nirvana' then just part of a set, so all the German rainbows are included.
I also think it has to do with if the pony was limited numbers or not; for example, there's a lot of baby Bowtie, but not a lot of the Nestie babies.

[jrr74]

That helps, thank you lunar_scythe.  There is no clear cut line of who belongs to the Nirvana group.  it is all a matter of perspective.  Of course, your response raises another question.  What exactly are Nestie babies?  I have seen this  word before, but have no idea who it refers to.  My pony ignorance is really beginning to shine now 



Never mind, just found the answer myself.  I happen to own one of these baby ponies

[ghouldilocks]

I was very confused by this when I first got into the online collector community, too! And I agree, a lot of it can depend on who you're talking to - some people consider certain of the German/Dutch ponies to be Nirvana, but others might consider only the internationally released variant ponies.

For myself, I consider the German Dutch ponies to be grouped with UK/European exclusives, rather than actual Nirvana. The ones I consider Nirvana are the others - the ones where the countries altered the look of the ponies' designs all over the place, lol! It makes sense to me to group them this way, because if I remember correctly, the German and Dutch ponies and the alternate birthflower ponies were all produced by Hasbro, whereas the other ponies (Italians, Argies, etc.) were licensed by Hasbro, but produced by other companies. Someone please correct me if I'm remembering this incorrectly, but I did just glance at a few backcard photos as well to try and confirm for myself, lol

[Leave a Whisper]

I thought Nirvanas were ponies with alternate poses/colors, like Argie Milky Way and Brazil Bowtie and ponies like Nightlight and Raindrop were country exclusives?

[Loa]

I think you should red the stickie in the Nirvana forum.
What I can tell you is that the term Nirvana pony was developed on the Arena back in 2003.

[jrr74]

I think you should red the stickie in the Nirvana forum.
What I can tell you is that the term Nirvana pony was developed on the Arena back in 2003.

Thank you. After I posted this, I realized I probably should have placed it in the Nirvana forum.  And while I was digging around there, I may have stumbled across the definition

I have been doing a lot of blushing lately.  Live and learn

[Violet CLM]

drugs, mostly

[Taffeta]

I've always found it a dubious term too, because even though it's the Arena's term, and therefore the Arena definition is the official one, there are so many different interpretations of it. The term never existed when all the variant info stuff began to happen online, so it's a term that I learned to use because other people use it, but I don't really use it within the context of my collection. I still use variant for other country made ponies, and I don't consider the German Rainbow Ponies within that context.

It's a term that is useful but only if it's used in a clearcut way.

@Violet CM...lol

[hathorcat]

We left this question in the Corral rather than Nirvana because its one of those really weird and grey areas - as you are asking about ponies which different people will have different opinions on. As others have said it depends who you ask and everyone has slightly different opinions. Its also not helped by sets which have some ponies which may fall under one part of the description and other ponies which fall under others.

For me personally I go by ponies which were not made in Hong Kong/China. I like the definition nice and clear cut - for me other else is properly "nirvana". But many others will consider some ponies which are made there under the Nirvana umbrella - from Germans to Princesses oddities.

[MANIMAL!]

Nirvana ponies are ponies that have realized that the self is an illusion and attained a state of enlightenment, escaping samsara and the cycle of death and rebirth. Also, they smell like teen spirit.

[Tak]

I was just thinking of asking myself! Thank you. 

[lovesbabysquirmy]

Nirvana ponies are ponies that have realized that the self is an illusion and attained a state of enlightenment, escaping samsara and the cycle of death and rebirth. Also, they smell like teen spirit.

*crying with laughter right now*