This is a very interesting concept although what debunks this theory for me is that when she saw Kovu's scar she looked shocked or surprised at how much it looked like scar's if she did this intentionally she wouldn't of had that look on her face and she wasn't the best mother figure to begin with so I view it as just losing control of her anger or going off on him and his scar just happened to look like Scar's

The only reason why Zira scratch Kovu in the eye which leave a scar because she was very angry at him as Zira blames Kovu for the death of his older brother Nuka despite the fact that Nuka brought all this on himself by chasing Simba just to get his mother's (Zira)attention. Beside Kion's story is very different to Kovu as the only reason why he too got a scar because of Ushari's bite which the venom remain inside Kion as he was struggling to control both his anger and the roar.

Well, obviously, she was pissed off although technically the scar lining was not very well in the right place where she scratched him. It should’ve been more scratches than just one scratch crossing his eye. If she expected that to make him evil that literally never would’ve worked, and she clearly didn’t know Scars original story. I mean the lion guard did a good job giving us the full details to what made him evil. Showing that not everybody is born evil. But however, evil is created. If only Scar had gotten help sooner, there is a possibility he never would’ve been the way he was but then again the whole story wouldn’t go well with the whole hamlet reference

Kovu was in love with Kiara
and yes the Mark of Evil, can’t tell what is right or wrong.✨👁🔥

Lion Guard Season 4
Lion King 4: Kiara’s Reign 🌌🦋🕰

Zira was only angry at Kovu because one he didn't kill Simba two, he failed to save Nuke
Nuke shouldn't be weak, Zira is not the best of being a mother

The scar represents betrayal both Kovu and Scar betrayed their own families.

I like how she swung at him with her claws horizontal yet he somehow got a vertical cut.

it wasn't kovu fault he didn't mean it to killed his brother

Strange lion Scar Kovu Kion all got a scar across their face

Well, seeing Simbas Pride was made BEFORE the Lion Guard and all the theories and whatnot that come with it, (if it wasn't accidental (which it was)) i think she did it to make Kovou look more like Scar to remind him where he  belongs and who he is meant to follow.

Zira was really angry at that time, and ended up hating Kovu. THAT'S how he got his scar. It wasn't because she thought he would be evil like Scar, but because she was really angry at him.

Already been said but I'll reiterate: Kovu had the mark but not the venom. Both Scar and Kion were bitten by snakes and pumped with venom while the fangs left marks. The venom didn't kill them, just clouded their judgement and made them more aggressive/rashes. Kovu was only scratched by Zira which made him look like Scar but nothing more.

I think she might’ve thought it would be the last hope in making Kovu evil and sending him back would corrupt the pride or most likely if he should not be part of destroying Simba, he won’t be able to work with Simba. We saw in the movie how Zira had a second look at Kovu after scaring him.

Now kovu looks kind of like scar because he had a scar

It how ironic that Zira blame Kovu for killing his own brother even if he didn't do it. That what scar did killing his own brother betrayed everyone he allied or was related to Mufasa, here second film it opposite happen Kovu betrayed his pride for greater good.

Zira was hoping that scaring Kovu would bring some of the evil of Scar back into Kovu, but it failed because got to know Simba and his daughter, and Kovu became good, and with the help of Simba's daughter brought the two prides together.

Well the reason Zira gave Kovu a scar because she was so angry that she lost a cub and took her angry out on Kovu and gave him a scar

Zaira has gone mad

I love this concept

I actually dont think she intended to give kovu a scar, I mean she literally gasps right afterwards. So I think she was just mad. Her judgement sucks, but what can be expected of a lioness that worshipped the king of gaslighting. Like how simba didnt do anything and scar told simba that he killed his own father, zira is out here telling kovu, who had nothing to do with nukas death if we're being honest, was at fault for that particular event. Zira either doesnt see her own flaws and mistakes, or... idk man, "you killed your own brother!" Why would she be angry about that from kovu anyway, i mean she was straight up trying to make him similar to scar, who also "killed his own brother." So maybe she just wanted to spout out that similarity, or is just a narc that doesnt now much better.
Honestly im more interested in figuring out how she got the notch on her ear, and if the dark stripe on her back is just a patterning or is significant somehow, she is the only lioness with that marking. Maybe its from lack of nutrition, so her fur is shorter there, or maybe some kind of injury?