June 1, 2022

How I Met Your Mother really is a fairytale. Think about it. Fairytales rely heavily on symbolism: the red apple in Snow White, the glass slipper in Cinderella, the rose in Beauty and the Beast. HIMYM, like fairytales, relies heavily on symbolism. It’s one of the things I love most about How I Met Your Mother.

You’ve heard of the most common symbols in HIMYM: the yellow umbrella, the blue french horn, the red cowboy boots, and the pineapple. But there are other important symbols in HIMYM that are overlooked, namely the butterfly, the pumpkin, the locket and the lighthouse.

Remember, fairytales are about hope and transformation.

The yellow umbrella symbolizes hope. It is like the wishing star in Disney. Ted had to believe in fate, believe that he would one day meet his soulmate.

You may laugh now but I’m going to show you how How I Met Your Mother is a Cinderella story, starting with the symbols, the butterfly and the pumpkin.

Butterflies represent transformation.

The main animals represented in Cinderella are the butterfly/bird and the fish. In the Cinderella movie Ever After, the main girl Danielle starts out as a fish. As a servant, she feels unfit to be among royalty.

Danielle looks at her dirty hands, then decides to cleanse herself and go for a swim, alluding to her being a fish at the beginning of the story.

This is my favorite scene in Ever After.

Ever After alluding to her future transformation with wings.

Her dress has wings.

Butterfly dress in Cinderella 2015

The butterfly is also used to signify transformation in How I Met Your Mother.

After Ted broke up with Robin, he got a butterfly tattoo, which became a running joke for the rest of the series. The breakup simply opened up doors to greater things and became the starting point to Ted’s growth in the next chapter of his life.

“I thought you needed a wingman to fly, but the truth is, you’ve got your own wings now. Since you and Robin split, you’ve been gestating. Growing in your cocoon. And last night, you burst out of that cocoon like a majestic, uh…gosh what is it that comes out of a cocoon? I was always bad at science.” — Barney to Ted

Every time a female character undergoes transformation or a major life transition, she’s wearing a butterfly necklace.

Robin wearing the butterfly necklace when she quits her job in search for a better one. “I came to Metro News 1 as a little caterpillar, and for four years, this desk has been my cocoon. But tonight I emerge an ambitious butterfly.”

When Lily returns from San Francisco after her break up with Marshall, she’s wearing the butterfly necklace.

And that, kids, is the main theme of How I Met Your Mother.“Kids, I’ve been telling you the story of how I met your mother. And while there’s many things to learn from this story, this may be the biggest. The greatest moments of your life won’t necessarily be the things you do. They’ll also be the things that happen to you. Now I’m not saying you can’t take action to affect the outcome of your life. You have to take action, and you will. But never forget, that on any day, you could step out the front door and your whole life can change forever. You see, the universe has a plan, kids, and that plan is always in motion. A butterfly flaps its wings, and it starts to rain.”

Hmm, I wonder what happens when it starts to rain? It’s like Ted took out his yellow umbrella in that very scene! Isn’t HIMYM brilliant!?

Just like in Cinderella, Ted had to learn that “even miracles take a little time.”

Think about it: why is it called wingman? Barney gave Ted wings to fly.

Given how much fairytales and HIMYM have in common, it’s only fitting that HIMYM is now on Disney+!

Pumpkin

The pumpkin is an icon in Cinderella.

Likewise, the pumpkin is also a significant symbol in HIMYM, enough for it to have a repeat episode near the end of the series.

Each year, Ted returns to the same Halloween party in hopes of finding the girl in the pumpkin costume he met years earlier. We don’t who the girl is and like Prince Charming, Ted doesn’t have her identity. He never got her name or number. She’s a mystery to us.

The pumpkin is a testament to Ted’s faith. “It’s about believing. This girl represents something to me. Hope.”

Robin: How do you do this, Ted? How do you sit out here all night on the roof in the cold, and still have faith your pumpkin’s going to show up?

Cinderella had to wait for her pumpkin too. “If you’d lost all your faith, I couldn’t be here. And here I am.”

In HIMYM, the minor characters are shorthand parallels for the major characters. For example in “The Window” episode, it’s not the Girl Next Door whom Ted’s been in love with his whole life. It doesn’t matter who she is. The Girl Next Door isn’t real. She’s just a representation of who Robin is.

Tracy = Slutty Pumpkin

Victoria = Natalie (the one Ted dumped on her birthday)

Robin = Girl Next Door (Maggie)

The Slutty Pumpkin is shorthand for the mother. She’s a mystery, the one Ted waited so long to meet, his search for “the one.”

Natalie is a shorthand for Victoria. Ted almost marries her. There’s nothing wrong with her, she’s great, but she simply isn’t “the one.”

Then there’s the Girl Next Door, a representation of Robin. He knows that she’s the love of his life, but the timing never worked out for them.

Be sure to look out for the next posts in my series #HIMYMandFairytales, where I will be discussing the other symbols in How I Met Your Mother.

Have a legendary day.

#himym #HIMYMandFairytales #HallofFame

Nothing is better than combining my two favorite things – How I Met Your Mother and Disney Princesses.

Snow White – Marshall Eriksen

Super sweet and insists on doing the right thing

Cinderella – Victoria

Both are kind and perceptive INFJs who just know something.

Ariel – Lily Aldrin

Redheads

Belle – Ted Mosby

Nerdy intellectuals

Pocahontas – Zoey Pierson

The advocate and the mischievous free spirit

Mulan – Robin Scherbatsky

Badasses who are insecure and vulnerable underneath

Tiana – Stella Zinman

Both are constantly working.

Rapunzel – Barney Stinson

Both blondies are great at charming and manipulating people. Barney, like Rapunzel, pursues a vast array of hobbies – magic, Shinjitsu cooking, cab driving, blogging, etc.

Have legendary day.

#himym

Ted Mosby 6w5

S4 E19 Murtagh

Robin: I must say there is something admirable about the way Barney wants to stay young at heart. I mean, who wants to get old?

Ted: This guy. Robin, life is a meal and old age is the dessert. I spend so much of my time worrying about the future. You know, “Where’s my career going? Who am I gonna marry?” But when you’re old, you don’t worry, ‘cause all that stuff’s already happened.

S4 E5 Shelter Island

Robin: Don’t get married Ted. Look, you’re rushing into this. It’s like you’re trying to skip ahead to the end of the book.

S9 E22 The End of the Aisle

Robin: Shouldn’t I be with the guy who finds me my locket? The guy who steals me the blue French horn

S1 E7 The Matchmaker

Lily: Don't Ted-out about it.

Ted: Did you just use my name as a verb?

Barney: Oh, yeah, we do that when you're not around. “Ted-out”: to over think. See also “Ted-up”. “Ted-up”: to over think with disastrous consequences. For example, “Billy Tedded-up when he-”

Ted: All right, I get it

Robin Scherbatsky 8w7

S7 E15 The burning beekeeper

Ted: I cannot believe you screamed at that woman at Zabar’s

Robin: she was trying to cut in line. She was gonna get the last kugel.

Ted: She was 90 years old. It was probably gonna be her last kugel.

Robin: Sometimes in life you have to be assertive and stand up for yourself. If I would’ve left things in your dainty, lily-white, never-ripped-an-old-lady’s-wig-off-hands, we would be kugel-free right now.

Ted: Oh, so what, I’m too nice?

Robin: You never stand up for yourself. Remember that sixth-grader who kept stealing your lunch? You had your mom stop making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches because of that girl’s nut allergy.

Ted: Okay so what? I would rather be nice than be like you, always getting into fights about stuff that’s not even worth fighting about.

Robin: Disagree. It’s like Sun Tzu wrote in The Art of War, “Never give up, never surrender.”

S7 E24 The Magician’s Code, Part II

Robin: Aren’t you tired of waiting for destiny? Isn’t it time to make your own destiny?

Barney Stinson 7w8

S1 E1 Pilot

Barney: Ted, I’m going to teach you how to live.

S1 E3 Sweet Taste of Liberty

Barney: Ted, you've been living your whole life in a seatbelt. It's time to unclick

Barney: Our forefathers died for the pursuit of happiness, ok? Not for the sit around and wait of happiness. Now if you want you can go to the same bar, drink the same beer, talk to the same people everyday, or, you can lick the liberty bell. You can grab life by the crack and lick the crap out of it.

S1 E11 The Limo

Barney: Now, people often think that a good mix should rise and fall but people are wrong, it should be all rise, baby!

S7 E21 Now We’re Even

Barney: I was sitting at home and all of a sudden, I had a piphany. Make every night legendary. The non-legendary nights are done. From here on in, every single night of our lives will be a night we’ll never forget. Starting tonight. Who’s ready for the longest, craziest adventure yet?!

S2 E17 Arrivederci Fiero

Barney: Our days on this planet are too few to squander. So I decided from that moment on to continue living life to its fullest.

S2 E2 The Scorpion and the Toad

Barney: Marshall, being a single guy in New York City is like being in a candy store.

Lily Aldrin 2w3

S9 E23 Last Forever, Part I

Lily: This right here, this is why we can’t fall out of each other’s lives. We have to be here for the big moments. Just promise me no matter what, we will always be there for the big moments.

S3 E6 I’m Not That Guy

Lily (alluding to her 3 wing): I got a 2 syllable damn in that dress

Marshall Eriksen 2w1

S6, E17 Garbage Island

Marshall: [My dad] never get to see how I turn out. I used to always tell him that I was gonna be an environmental lawyer and he was always proud of me for that. But he never got to see the version of me that was anything but a corporate stooge. And now it’s too late.

S5 E23 The Wedding Bride

Marshall: All right, do you guys wanna know why I’m nice to everyone? It’s because I don’t care about baggage. I mean, most people, they see another person walking down the street with that heavy bag they’re carrying, and they just walk on by. But not me. I look at them, and I say, “Howdy, stranger. Can I give you a hand with that?”

James Stinson 7w6

S2 E10 Single Stamina

James: You are young, attractive people here in the greatest city on Earth. There are boys and girls in Nobody Cares, Wyoming, wishing they could be here. But instead, they are in someone’s basement drinking bad malt liquor, debating whether or not they’re going to spend their Saturday night in the parking lot of the feed store or in some other dude’s basement. You owe it to them to rise up, and shimmy your lazy asses into something hot, and you go out there and YOU LIVE THEIR DREAM!

Victoria 2w1

S1 E13 Drumroll Please

Victoria: Do you want to come and cry out here? I’ve been told I’m an excellent hugger.

Zoey Pierson 1w2

S6 E6 The Architect of Destruction

Zoey: I can’t just sit by while voiceless people or animals or even buildings get screwed over.

S6 E10 Blitzgiving

Ted: If Zoey is a cartoon character, she’s Cinderella’s evil stepmother!

Zoey: Get out, all of you, out!

S9 E21 Gary Blauman

Zoey: The hawk is a majestic creature. She means you no har-aah no! I’m your friend! I’m helping you!

Nora 1w2

S6 E16 Desperation Day

Barney: Why aren’t you wearing purple like your friends?

Nora: I told them I forgot. But the truth is I’m protesting their protest. Can you keep a secret? I love Valentine’s Day.

Barney: You walking around saying you’re a gooey romantic? It comes across a bit desperate.

Nora: What’s so desperate about knowing what you want? Look, life’s really short Barney. Who wants to spend Valentine’s Day alone, distracting yourself from the fact that nobody loves you with some sad little activity?

Nora: There is one difference between you and me. I’m not saying any of this to get in your pants.

Karen 4w3

S4 E16 Sorry, Bro

Karen: Your wine list has a Chateauneuf-du-Pape listed under your Cotes de Provence. You might want to alert your sommelier.

Have a legendary day,

The Blogger

#himym #enneagram

Matching HIMYM characters with their Hogwarts houses

Ted Mosby Ravenclaw Ted is sooooo a Ravenclaw, geeking over his crossword puzzles, calligraphy set, Renaissance faire, “fun facts” on architecture, wearing fake spectacles to look smart, and pronouncing encyclopedia “encyclo – paeee – dia.“ 

Robin Scherbatsky Gryfinndor She's quite the independent spirit. I mean, she's wearing the Gryffindor colors right here. If that's not a coinkydink, I don't know what is.

Barney Stinson Slytherin

Lily Aldrin Slytherin

She might seem sweet but she's actually sly.

Marshall Erikson Hufflepuff If anyone's the most Hufflepuff, it's Marshall. Marshall is the most Hufflepuff who has ever Hufflepuffed. He's the most puff who has ever huffed. All the times he showed appreciation for food.

Tracy (the mother) Ravenclaw It's no surprise that Ted would marry a Ravenclaw. You know you're a Ravenclaw when you do quirky paintings of robots playing tennis.

Have a legendary day.

#himym

If you’ve read any of my blog posts, you’d probably know by now that I have an undying love for HIMYM and Disney.

The two are related.

For one, neither talk about religion. Walt Disney was very smart to stray away from religious topics. Both are atheist and never mention god, but they both talk about fate and believing. In HIMYM, they call it the “universe” and “destiny.” In Disney lingo, it's “wishing upon a star” and “believing that dreams come true.”

Tbt to that time Lily got mad at Marshall for trying to have a baby before seeing all five dopplegangers.

HIMYM talks a lot about how the universe works in funny ways, that it has a plan.

Fate is kind. Like a bolt out of the blue, fate steps in and sees you through. When you wish upon a star, your dreams come true.

Have a legendary day.

Edit: Need more proof? This video proves that my theory is right.

#himym #disney #HallOfFame

Missing HIMYM? Here are seven episodes you should re-watch to fill that HIMYM nostalgia void in your heart.

The First Three Episodes

No duh- that's when we were first introduced to the iconic blue french horn (which shall be beautifully repeated in future episodes) and got to know the characters, like Barney's legen-wait for it-dary catchphrase!

The Slutty Pumpkin: Season 1, Episode 6

“Because it tasted like an alcoholic tootsie roll!”

The Pineapple Incident: Season 1, Episode 10

Ah, the iconic pineapple.

Girls vs. Suits: Season 5, Episode 12

When Ted almost meets the mother and Barney's legendary number happens.

Subway Wars: Season 6, Episode 4

This episode takes advantage of the NYC city landscape with epic-ness.

Have a legendary day.

The blogger

#himym

How I Met Your Modern Sitcom: Rethinking Love & Relationships | The Artifice

This person GETS it. Thank you, wise author for not being the only person on Earth who realizes that HIMYM is a work of ART.

And thank you, HIMYM for reminding us that TV can be good.

You just need to read the first two paragraphs to understand why himym is a television masterpiece. People might laugh all they want at that notion because of the humble genre of himym, but they are wrong. On the surface, himym is disguised as your everyday, fluffy, cheesy, low-budget sitcom. But underneath, it's a cunning, introspective yet subtle and non-judgemental commentary on human society and life itself. Their use of not only symbols, but basic COLORS is revolutionary.

And that makes himym even better. That it can serve both functions as entertainment to unwind and deep thematic intellect only further proves that himym is truly superior to all the TV shows in the world.

In other words, it's legen-wait for it-dary!

“Situation comedy has never been considered at the forefront of cutting edge art. In the pantheon of narrative literature, there is no special place for Two and A Half Men. Rather, when people think of sitcoms, they think of their stupidity and simplicity—stereotypical archetypes and the romanticizing of mundane problems tied to home and work. The sitcom may not be a trailblazer, but it is a barometer for the culture of its particular time and place. Sitcoms are overwhelmingly about office politics and romantic relationships, because that’s what most people deal with everyday. In this way, it is a democratic and generous form.

Despite its low aspirations, the sitcom can have a lot to say about the world and examine ideas that are quite meaningful. Now, it’s true, that doesn’t often happen, but it’s still possible. Of the few series that have managed such an enormous feat, How I Met Your Mother is an amazing example of artistic daring and humanity, while quietly filling the 8 pm time slot for CBS. Despite a four-camera aesthetic ripped off from the Cheers template, HIMYM has given an educated commentary in regards to sitcom aesthetics and societal norms. Its concerns are surprisingly broad, ranging from the formal use of character archetypes and sitcom tropes down to generalized perceptions on traditional relationships, both romantic and platonic. Through all this is an agile self-awareness of how ably the sitcom can traffic in real feeling and philosophical reflection.”

I'm glad I'm not the only one who recognizes the legendary genius of this amazing show. It's not called an obsession. And I sure hope people wouldn't be putting it so low as to call it a fandom. It's called noticing a quality tv show when I see one.

Need more proof that HIMYM is literally pure genius? Check out this color theory: The Yellow Umbrella and the Blue French Horn. This guy's answer is more eloquent than I could ever put it.

“There are three primary colors (blue, yellow, and red), and How I Met Your Mother contains a symbol for each: the blue French horn, the yellow umbrella, and the red boots. Alone, each of these symbols doesn't mean much, but there's a lot of meaning in their contrast.

The blue French horn represents Ted actively pursuing and doing anything for love. He seeks out Robin throughout the entire series, just as he repeatedly goes out of his way to get the blue French horn. He didn't stumble upon the blue French horn; he went after it. The horn also represents permanence—Ted ultimately gets it back at the end of the series despite having lost it earlier. He can always go back to the horn, as he can always go back to Robin.

The yellow umbrella represents love coming from unexpected places and times, or fate. The umbrella came into Ted's life without him really needing to do anything, just as Tracy did. This is a stark contrast to the blue French horn: Ted needed to perform a rain dance to be with Robin, but with Tracy, it was already raining (hence the umbrella). Finally, just as Ted lost Tracy, we similarly see the umbrella blowing away, implying that it symbolizes loss and moving on, the opposite of permanence.

The red boots represent everything in between. The remainder of Ted's relationships consist of him refusing to acknowledge that they won't work out, just as he refuses to acknowledge that he is not “pulling them off” when he wears the red boots.

Together, the blue French horn and the yellow umbrella represent Ted's two very different love stories: one that is driven by him, and one that is driven by fate.”

Also check out this theory:

Mind BLOWN.

This image alone justifies the finale. As it’s been said, a picture's worth a thousand words.

And this points to the genius that is HIMYM that I wanted to talk about but never got around to eloquently pointing out each and every thought and detail that I have about HIMYM's genius so I'll just leave it here.

Have a legendary day,

The Blogger

#himym

originally published December 2015

While Blair Waldorf's and Aria Montgomery's wardrobes are to die for, HIMYM's fashion is overlooked. But when you look closely, HIMYM’s fashion is more subtle, something you might wear in real life, while Gossip Girl and Pretty Little Liars are more over-the-top. You admire it on TV and while these outfits stand out, sometimes they are too over-the-top to actually wear in public.

Here's proof that every once in a while, fashion on HIMYM is just as good as its humor and introspective brilliance.

Simple at first glance, this outfit is chic and trendy with that perfect NYC feel.

Robin rocks a denim skirt.

This perhaps is my favorite outfit on the show. I love the elegant details, the beads on the jacket and the hair curls to complement the look. This outfit looks historical, as if it would make future generations look back on it and feel nostalgic.

Robin shows her sleek and sophisticated NYC style with this simple yet classy shirt.

Robin can rock basically any outfit. She could be wearing a hot pink T-shirt with little monkeys on it designed for a 10-year-old over a long sleeve shirt and still make the clothes look good. No wonder Cobie Smulders used to model.

I love Robin's style, even more so than Lily's. Robin's clothes actually look more expensive than Lily's, which is ironic because Lily is supposed to be the more fashionable one who spends more on clothes. Robin has quite the expensive taste for a self-proclaimed tomboy.

I also noticed how they tailored each character's style to represent their personality. Robin has a sophisticated New York City style suited for a professional. Lily has a girlier style with brighter colors. Victoria also wears bright colors and has a cute-sy style (brown shoes with little snowflakes on them, anyone?) to add to her ultra-sweet personality (and the fact that she's a baker helps). And of course, Barney has his legen-wait for it-dary suits.

I like the other characters' styles too. I especially love Quinn's blue leather jacket.

But what Lily lacks in her casual style, she makes up for with her cute dresses, the “perfect combination of slutty and classy!”

Have a legendary day,

The Blogger

#himym #fashion

It's hard not to be a little envious of How I Met Your Mother's Canadian reporter. Everyone loves Robin and guys are always falling in love with her. Robin manages to be both glamorous and badass at the same time. And she can rock basically any outfit (it's no wonder Cobie Smulders used to model).

But if you watch carefully, Robin is as real as you and me. She has flaws, insecurities, and fears too, just like any other human being. From her childhood upbringing to her every-once-in-a-while-yet-endearing craziness, we still love Robin Scherbatsky and every adorable part about her. She's the epitome of a “hot mess.” When Robin asks Barney, “Why do you like me? I'm such a mess.” Barney replies, “Maybe it's because I'm just as much of a mess as you are.” Gold.

And in fact, her flaws don't bring her down. Not at all. Instead they just make her stronger and as independent, intelligent, caring, funny, and inspiring as she is. She's still amazing and confident because she knows that her flaws don't define her, and her strengths far outweigh her weaknesses. Yes, she's done things she not exactly proud of but most importantly, she owns it. Just like when everyone finds out about her embarrassing past (Robin Sparkles), of course she's not thrilled at first (who would be) but she moves on and later, embraces it. And that's what makes her even more awesome.

And lastly, Robin knows that chasing absolute perfection is just ridiculous. Because imperfection is the real perfection and beauty. It's what makes her full, dimensional, down-to-earth, and above all, real. It's what makes her life journey and growth legendary enough to tell. She's not afraid to be herself, speak her mind, and hold on to her morals (like being honest and professional in her work and not giving in to external pressures). Robin simply accentuates her best traits.

There's one episode about Robin that really spoke to me, in season 1, episode 18: Nothing Good Happens After 2 AM. Robin wakes up in the morning, optimistic and ready to get on with her day. And she should be. She's young and free, she's living in an exciting city starting her career. But by the end of a long day, you just feel empty, as if you're not living up the expectations you have, or at least the expectations society has on what your life should be like to be considered happy and fulfilling.

It's just like what Barney said, “When I'm sad, I stop being sad and be awesome instead.” Robin did just that.

And the fact that she's Canadian (like me!!!) makes things even better. You keep doing you, ma girl, Robin.

Have a legendary day. The Blogger

#himym