The Home of Gnome

It would be hard these days to walk around a neighbourhood that has a lot of gardens and not notice a strange small figure with a bright red hat and a white bushy beard peeking out at you from some bushes or grasses. Equally, though, the figure staring back at you could be a rendition of a character from a famous tv show such as Game of Gnomes or a move character such as the Gnominator, complete with Arnie-esque leathers, shades and gun! FS But what’s it all about? These figures are well known as garden gnomes but what are garden gnomes for? Who invented garden gnomes? What do gnomes do and what is the significance of garden gnomes? Are garden gnomes evil? Most people when they were young will have read or been told stories about fantastical creatures who live in woods, or caves, or even underground. These figures include fairies, elves, dwarfs and even smaller creatures called gnomes. The origination of the word ‘gnome’ itself causes heated debate amongst gnome academics all over the world. Some contend it was first mentioned in the 1600s by a Swiss Occultist called Paracelsus. He was said to have derived it from the latin word for earth-dweller. Others claim the word is much older but cannot be specific. Certainly gnomes have been spoken of in many different countries and there are many words for gnomes in foreign languages. But how did the mythical gnome stories develop into a love affair with these creatures? And when and how did it become popular to put them in your garden? I go into the origins and history of garden gnomes below. But for now, let’s just agree that they have become a common collectible amongst people who love their gardens. For some gardeners, collecting gnomes becomes a passion and every crevice and nook and cranny in their garden just has to be filled with a gnome of some description. For other, more casual collectors, there has only been one or two purchases which completed an area of their garden. A third group have even moved the gnomes indoors and placed them to decorate an indoor area such as a hearth or bathroom. Some people believe gnomes are good luck tokens and happily invite them inside their homes for protection. There is certainly no lack of choice of material for garden gnomes these days. While the traditional garden gnomes were ceramic or terracotta, they are now available in plastic, clay and resin to name a few. And as mentioned above, they have also broken out of the traditional gnome style of red hat and white beard into a whole range of styles. This evolution in their style has lengthened their popularity and brought a smile to many a passer-by. Whatever your interests you will find a gnome to suit, whether your interests are football, movies or fishing. Whether you want a 3 foot garden gnome, a tiny garden gnome, specifically a male or a female garden gnome, a football gnome or even a zombie gnome, you will find what you want. And it hasn’t stopped at just figures, either. Gnomes have strayed into movies (Gnomeo & Juliet and Amelie), TV (Gordon the Garden Gnome, voiced by Alan Titchmarsh), books for children and advertising (Travelocity), all using the enigmatic and charming personality of the garden gnome.