DISCOVER HOW GNOMES INSPIRE KIDS TO EXPLORE CREATIVITY
The Magical World of Gnomes
Gnomes are dwarfish, subterranean goblin or earth spirits who guard mines of precious treasures hidden in the earth. European folklore features these special creatures. Often depicted as small, hunchbacked figures with gnarled features, these mythical beings are a staple of medieval lore. Gob, the king of the gnome race, ruled with a magic sword and is said to have influenced the melancholic temperament of man.
What the History of the Magical world of Gnomes
Gnomes have a long and rich history, dating back to ancient times. The Swiss German word “gnome,” meaning “earth dweller,” is the origin of the gnome’s name. They hail from the mountains of Switzerland.
How to spot a gnome. Typically, artists portray gnomes as small, bearded men wearing pointy hats. They are often mischievous or even downright naughty. While gnomes have a mischievous reputation, they’re seen as kind beings that bring good fortune to those who welcome them in their gardens.
And many people believe gnomes possess magical powers to protect or punish people and reward them with happiness and treasures like gold! In the minds of European magicians and mystics, gnomes were the essential spirits representing the foundational elements of earth, water, fire, and air. Supposedly, gnomes wore conical hats because that allowed them to move through the Earth as easily as humans walk on land.
- The “Oz” books, by L. Frank Baum have “Nomes,” later changed to “Gnomes,” as their primary antagonists. These creatures are subterranean immortals, without beauty or calm, with squat bodies, long beards and a deep concern for amassing gems and precious metals.
The 1942 book “The Little Grey Men” tells the story of England’s last surviving gnomes, who are short creatures that live in the wild and sustain themselves through hunting and gathering.
- Wil Huygen’s “Gnomes” and “The Secret Book of Gnomes” serve as glimpses of what life is like for these creatures whom live in all the secret corners of the world, work in harmony with nature and do their best to avoid trolls. These books were compelling enough to serve as the inspiration for “The World of David the Gnome,” a cartoon.
- “Gnomeland, An Introduction to the Little People” is a fun book by Margaret Egleton about the various ways that people use gnomes in their daily lives.
