GNOMES IN FOLK LORE
Some confusion arises as the gnome is one of many similar but subtly different creatures in European folklore; mythical creatures such as goblins and dwarves are often represented as gnomes, and vice versa.
Gnomes feature in the legends of many of central, northern and eastern European lands by other names: a kaukis is a Prussian gnome, and barbegazi are gnome-like creatures with big feet and big hands in the traditions of France and Switzerland. Further east, tengu are sometimes referred to as winged gnomes.
According to certain medieval beliefs, Gnomes were deformed, usually with a hunchback, and were led by their king, Gob, who ruled with a magic sword.
Today, Gnomes are traditionally thought of as being small, bearded and wearing pointed, colourful, conical hats. They live in natural areas close to the Earth and care for wildlife. They are more benevolent than other folkloric creatures such as goblins. This traditional view is supported in such fictional works as The Secret Book of Gnomes.
GARDEN GNOMES
German garden gnome "Wendelin"The first garden gnomes were made in Gräfenroda, a town known for its ceramics in Thuringia, Germany in the mid-1800s. Philip Griebel made terracotta animals as decorations, and produced gnomes based on local myths as a way for people to enjoy the stories of the gnomes' willingness to help in the garden at night. The garden gnome quickly spread across Germany and into France and England, and wherever gardening was a serious hobby. Gnome manufacture spread across Germany with numerous other large and small manufacturers coming into and out of the business, each one having its own particular style of design. World War II was hard on the industry and most producers gave up then. Griebel's descendants still make them and are the last of the German producers, all others having moved production to Poland or China. Currently, there are an estimated 25 million garden gnomes in Germany.
Traditional gnomes are made from a terracotta clay slurry poured into molds. The gnome is removed from the mold, allowed to dry, and then fired in a kiln until it is hard. Once cooled the gnome is painted to the level of detail desired and sent to stores to be sold to consumers. More modern gnomes are made from schwau resins and similar materials.
A replica of Lampy the Lamport gnomeGarden gnomes were first introduced to the United Kingdom in 1847 by Sir Charles Isham, when he brought 21 terracotta figures back from a trip to Germany and placed them as ornaments in the gardens of his home, Lamport Hall in Northamptonshire. Only one of the original batch of gnomes survives: Lampy, as he is known, is on display at Lamport Hall, and is insured for one million pounds.[5]
Garden gnomes have become a popular accessory in many gardens. They are often the target of pranks, known collectively as gnoming: people have been known to return garden gnomes "to the wild", most notably France's "Front de Liberation des Nains de Jardins" and Italy's "MALAG" (Garden Gnome Liberation Front). Some kidnapped garden gnomes have been sent on trips around the world (the travelling gnome prank; this later became the basis for Travelocity's "Roaming Gnome"). In 2008, a 53-year-old French man in Brittany was arrested on suspicion of stealing upwards of 170 garden gnomes.
The practice of stealing garden gnomes is also sometimes referred to as "Gnome Hunting".
Gnomes are often depicted as having beards and are typically males, and usually wear red hats and are known to smoke pipes. They are made in various poses and pursuing various pastimes, such as fishing or napping.
Garden gnomes are often viewed as "kitsch" and in poor taste. Gnomes have become controversial in serious gardening circles in the UK, and have been banned from the prestigious Chelsea Flower Show as the organisers claim that they detract from the garden designs. Gnome enthusiasts accuse the organisers of snobbery because they are popular in working class and suburban gardens.
It has been suggested by some scholars that the garden gnome is a descendant of the Greco-Roman fertility god Priapus, whose statue was often found in ancient gardens.
Claims of Gnome sightings
Despite the fact that Gnomes are usually seen as a mythical creature with no real existence, there have been certain cases where people have claimed to have encountered real, living gnomes, that are not fictional.
Cottingley, England, 1917
One of the Cottingley fairies photographs taken in 1917 by two young girls depicts a gnome. When the duo confessed to faking the photographs in the 1980s, they continued to insist that the one that they had taken of the gnome was genuine.
Argentina, 2007-08
Wikinews has related news: 'Gnome' like creature caught on film in Argentina
The Gnome sightings in Argentina is a reported wave of sightings of Gnomes, a traditional mythical creature, in General Güemes, Salta, Argentina that came to its climax in 2007. The craze was similar to that of the chupacabra, which had also happened in the Americas. Some reports claim that a survey showed that 90% of locals believed in the creature with over a hundred claiming to have actually seen one of the creatures, however contrasting reports claim that very few locals actually believe in it.
Locals had reported seeing gnomes (or duendes) for several decades, however reports increased in 2007 after railway workers reported seeing one run around the tracks. They reported seeing a knee height humanoid creature wearing a pointy hood who ran sideways.
The story was reported by El Tribuno in Argentina, and then The Sun in the UK. It was then picked up by Fox News in the USA, before becoming something of an urban legend. Since then, many skeptics have declared the story to be false, claiming that the video used as the main evidence is faked and that reports of the beliefs were exagerated.
Various video recordings claiming to depict the creatures were uploaded onto websites such as YouTube. The majority follow the same formula of a group of teenagers getting scared by a gnome, and running away screaming.
A 2005 episode of King of the Hill, "Yard, She Blows!" revolves around an antique garden gnome.
In two shorts featured in episodes of the Warner Brothers animated series "Freakazoid", a small group of "real" gnomes cursed to spend the daylight hours as common lawn ornaments until they atone - via good deeds - for a centuries-old prank against a Norse wizard - already upset by their treatment of his Viking brother. The gnomes are mischievous and selfish, but not evil, although completely wrongheaded in their attempts to "save" humanity from the vicious likes of yard sprinklers.
In an episode of South Park there are underpants gnomes originally found by Tweek
David the Gnome, a popular 1980's animated television series, featured the adventures of a tree-dwelling gnome and his wife, based on the children's books The Gnomes and The Secret Book of Gnomes by Rien Poortvliet and Wil Huygen.
In the Harry Potter series, gnomes are considered garden pests and appear to be more akin to animals than intelligent beings. In the second book, Ron scoffs at the garden gnome statues that Muggles keep, saying that they're chubby "Father Christmases" holding fishing rods, and generally depicted as doing things that real gnomes would never do. A "text book" written by J.K. Rowling to resemble the books that Harry uses in school (Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them) states that they can be ridden of if swung around in circles until dizzy and then thrown over the garden wall. They could also be eaten by a Jarvey, which is a ferrett-like creature. Gnomes are said to only reach a foot in height and have a large head with bony feet.
In the legendarium of J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle-earth, "Gnome" is an alternative and infrequently used word for Noldo or "Deep Elf". It appears in early editions of The Hobbit and also in The Book of Lost Tales (written early in Tolkien's career but not published until the 1980's). Feeling the word to be misleading, Tolkien omitted it entirely from his most famous work The Lord of the Rings, though it is mentioned briefly in an early draft of the appendices.
Author Ambrose Bierce wrote in "The Devil's Dictionary" that gnomes became extinct in the year 1764. The Devil's Dictionary is a tongue in cheek book labeled as "A guidebook for cynics".
"The Gnome" is a song by British psychedelic rock band Pink Floyd. It was written by the band's first leader, Syd Barrett, and tells the tale of a gnome named Grimble Gromble. It appears on the band's debut album The Piper at the Gates of Dawn.
"The Laughing Gnome" is an upbeat novelty track released by David Bowie in 1967..
Gnomes are featured in the cover photo of George Harrison's first solo album "All Things Must Pass".
Garden Decor
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Sculptures and Statuary
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Garden
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Gnomes
Slumbering Gnome Statue
After a long day's labor tending the garden, a rosy-cheeked gnome settles into his favorite hammock to enjoy a well-earned rest. Indoors or out, this fanciful statue adds a witty bit of humor that's sure to warm the heart of any hardworking gardener! Polyresin. 12" x 5" x 10" high.
Welcome Standing Gnome
Straight out of your favorite storybook, this precious little fellow in his bright peaked cap holds out a heartfelt greeting for all to behold. What a charming alternative to a welcome mat!
Stone/polyresin blend. 4 1/2" x 4" x 11"
On Strike Sleeping Gnome
Cute Mr. Gnome stands up - or lays down! - for his rights. A witty tribute to hardworking folk that's right at home whether gracing your garden, or decorating your office desk! Stone/polyresin blend. 9 1/4" x 4" x 9"
Joanna Gamble of Virginia
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This page was last updated on: July 20, 2010
Grandpa Garden Gnome
No house is a home without its very own guardian gnome! An apple-cheeked grandfather is a loving and willing baby-sitter, tenderly cradling his tiny grandson. A charming take on the timeless classic yard decoration.
Fiber glass and resin.
5 5/8" diameter x 10 5/8"
Garden Gnome
Greeting Sign
An apple-cheeked forest gnome perches perkily on his hand-hewn bench, grinning a greeting to one and all. He's even brought along a furry-tailed pal to help with his duties as host! A witty and winsome way to welcome visitors to your home with a darling dose of fairy-tale charm! Polyresin.
13 3/8" x 9" x 14"
Support Our Troops Gnome
All decked out in his desert camouflage, this bearded fellow shows his heartfelt support for our troops.
A light-hearted way to proclaim your allegiance to this country, and to all who defend it! All-weather resin is perfect for displaying indoors or out. Resin.
4 3/4" x 4" x 11 1/4" high.
Lawn Mowing Garden Gnome
No house is a home without its very own garden gnome! Here, a chubby white-bearded fellow cheerfully attends to his beloved lawn. A charming take on the timeless classic yard decoration, scaled down to fit most anywhere, indoors or out.Fiber glass and resin.
6 7/8" x 4 5/8" x 10 3/8" high.
Playful Pals
Tabletop Fountain
A trio of grinning gnomes takes a time-out for a cool dip in the lily pond; a merry way to enjoy a summer’s day! Tabletop fountain adds a charming storybook scene to any space. Indoors or out, this darling decoration is sure to enchant children of all ages, ages three to ninety-three. Polyresin.
11 5/8" diameter x 12" high.
UL Recognized
Swinging Gnomes Decoration
Three little gnomes enjoy a playful game of "see no, speak no, hear no evil" as they cheerfully swing in the afternoon breeze. An adorable decoration that brings motion and merriment to your garden or porch; guaranteed to inspire many a grin!
Polyresin with rope. 5" x 2 3/4" x 19 1/4" high
Merry Gnome Tree Decor
A plump, perky garden gnome plays peek-a-boo beneath his well-worn cap, chuckling with glee. Hang this whimsical wall sculpture where you need a light-hearted dose of merriment.
Cast of all-weather materials to resemble weathered stone, this little sculpture is a sheer delight. Holes at end for mounting. Polyresin.
6 1/2" x 4 1/2" x 3 1/2" high.
Grandfather Gnome Tree Decor
Pipe in hand, an elderly gnome perches comfortably on a weathered branch at the end of a long day’s toil. Hang this quaint decoration on any tree, post or corner for an amusing storybook touch! Weathered ocher finish blends in perfectly with your garden foliage for a naturally appealing accessory. Holes at end for hanging. Polyresin.
5 1/4" x 3 3/4" x 7 1/4" high.
A gnome is a mythical creature characterized by its extremely small size and big hands and subterranean lifestyle.
The word gnome is derived from the New Latin gnomus. It is often claimed to descend from the Greek γνώσις gnosis, "knowledge",
but more likely comes from genomos "earth-dweller", in which case the omission of e is, as the OED calls it, a blunder.
Another possibility is that it comes from the Arabic نوم (Noum),[citation needed] which means sleep.
It is also possible that Paracelsus simply made the word up. Notable Gnomes in English Folklore include Sprin, Rumo, Pinny, Fislet and Glucifer.
Paracelsus includes gnomes in his list of elementals, as earth elementals. He describes them as two spans high, and very taciturn. Sometimes they are seen as a type of fairy, though at other times are seen as a distinct species in their own right.
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