INTRO:

Hello and welcome to Myth Monsters, my name is Erin and I’ll be your host for these little snack bite size podcasts on folklore and mythical monsters from around the world. 

These podcasts focus on the actual cryptids, folklore and mythic monsters from global mythology, rather than focusing on full stories of heroes and their big adventures.

I’ll also be dropping in some references that they have to recent culture and where you can see these represented in modern day content so you can learn more, and get as obsessed as I am about these absolute legends of the mythological world.

Happy July! It’s the peak of the summer and it’s very warm over here in the UK this week. We’re covering something really great for gardening weather this week, and that’s a widely known monster from European mythology, the Gnome. 

DESCRIPTION:

I’ve actually been excited to cover this one, as it’s one that has been prevalent throughout my life and also is just a widely accepted and loved myth monster! 

The Gnome is described as a garden, humanoid spirit from European mythology - they are usually around 15-30 cm in height, and weigh around 300 grams which makes them tiny if you aren’t into calculating that. They are usually depicted as white and fair, usually with either white, grey, blonde or red hair, with rosy cheeks and a sunny disposition towards humans. They can be either male or female, with the male versions usually wearing a pointed red cap, trousers, clogs or boots and a waistcoat, alongside long beards. They would also usually wear a toolbelt with hammers, chisels or knives. The females wear a blouse and skirt with heeled shoes, but before they are married will wear their hair in long plaits, with a green hat - but after, they would wear their hair in a bun under a beige or brown hat. 

They do have a bunch of abilities such as they are said to be 7 times as strong as man, and can run especially fast, up to 35 miles per hour - this is due to their pigeon-toed feet, which allows them to run super fast. They do have an affinity for animals, and will go out of their way to help injured animals in their habitats, this usually gives the animals an excuse to help the Gnomes back with tasks if requested. They are also said to be excellent gem-crafters and alchemists, however that leads us on nicely to different types of Gnomes. 

According to folklore, there are many different types of Gnomes who have different skills depending on where they live or what their specific race of Gnome specialises in. Some examples are Forest Gnomes, which are the most inconspicuous to humans and have a big link to forest animals. Garden Gnomes, which we all know of. Dune Gnomes who live in the drier regions of Europe and create mirajes, House Gnomes who tend to cause mischief in the house and speak human languages, Farm Gnomes who assist in farm duties, as well as with animal care, and lastly Siberian Gnomes, who work mostly in the icy caves of Europe and have a great relationship with Trolls.

All of these types have differing skills too depending on what type of Gnome they are - such as Technomancy, Alchemy, Illusion, Crafting or Potion making are the most common skills that these will have. Gnomes are also said to be almost immortal - with exceptionally long lives, as they spend most of their lives avoiding danger underground or in their tree homes. 

Although they are known for these skills and types, they generally keep away from humans, and the interactions that are noted throughout history are that Gnomes are mischievous, but more that they’re a little bit annoying. Especially to farmers and hunters, as they’re known to release caught animals or free farm animals - however, they’re also known to give veterinary care to animals who need it on farms if the farmer is either abusive or too poor to afford a vet. 

They’re also known to be vegetarians, surviving on the fruits of nature’s labour - such as nuts, fruits, vegetables and berries from their environment. They are also very fond of mead, which for them, is fermented honey, raspberries or juniper - so they would get absolutely plastered off of this.

Are there any known enemies of these sweet little boys? Well they’re said to be sworn enemies of the Trolls of Europe, who seek out Gnomes to eat and destroy their woodland homes. They’re also not fond of cats, be that wild or domesticated - as they also tend to think of them as food. They generally stay away from humans, as we’re just so big to them - so we have quite a nice relationship with them by all accounts.

ORIGIN:

Now onto etymology, which is actually quite interesting this week, alongside the history of this monster too. 

The word Gnome comes from the Greek word gē-nomos which literally means earth-dweller, which comes from the same word in Latin - so we have a double etymology background. 

This word came from the Renaissance Latin, which was between 14th and 15th centuries and originally appeared in the A Book of Nymphs, Sylphs, Pygmies and Salamanders and on the Other Spirits by Paracelsus, in 1566 - which as you can imagine is about the origins of all these monsters. He was actually Swiss/German, so we can kind of attribute the origins of this monster to these regions, however, it was believed that they mostly lived in Scandinavia - so that’s why I’ve said they were European, rather than a specific region.

Although he classified them as the earth elementals in the original monster lineup symbolising one of each of the elements - Gnomes being the earth, Salamanders for fire, Undine for water and Silph for air. 

After this, they weren’t mentioned in literature til the 18th century, when they were in the Rape of the Lock by Alexander Pope, who was a very famous English poet back in the day - but really this wasn’t enough to pull the Gnomes out of their 14th century origin. There’s a great quote from Pope’s apparent source, which was a French satire called Comte de Gabalis from 1670 by Nicolas-Pierre-Henri de Montfaucon de Villars;

“The Earth is filled almost to the center with Gnomes or Pharyes, a people of small stature, the guardians of treasures, of mines, and of precious stones. They are ingenious, friends of men, and easie to be commandded. They furnish the children of the Sages with as much money, as they have need of; and never ask any other reward of their services, than the glory of being commanded. The Gnomides or wives of these Gnomes or Pharyes, are little, but very handsom; and their habit marvellously curious.”

But there was a complete resurgence of this monster in fairy-tales within the 19th century, when they were used alongside other little monsters, such as dwarves, brownies, leprechauns and goblins in Danish, French and German folklore, such as in the Grimm Brothers or Hans Christian Andersen’s works. They became a household spirit during this time, which led to them losing their link to the earth spirits back in the 14th century. 

They are known throughout all of Europe, and have different names throughout the continent such as Erdmanleins in Germany, Gnom in Polish, Dudje in Bulgarian and Albanian, Kabouter in Dutch, Skritek in Belgian, Mano in Hungarian and Klienmanneken in Swiss, Nisse in Danish, Tontti in Finnish and Norwegian and Nissen in Swedish - with Nains in English.  

But we do have to ask why it’s acceptable to put them in your garden. This is because the Romans used to put small statues of their fertility god Priapus in their gardens for good fortune - and in the 1880’s, German artist Philip Griebel created garden gnomes as a sign of good luck for gardens as they always symbolised guarding treasure and protection from thieves. There’s a great explanation in the Hunker magazine which I can’t resist quoting from Clive Harris from DIY Garden;

"Thought to be underground treasure guardians, and therefore guardians of plant root health, gnomes were respected with offers of food or clothing which were left out overnight to appease or thank them”.

There’s also another quote here from Thomas O’Rourke from Horticulture Magazine;

"Historically, gnomes have always been thought of as good luck. In more spiritual times, they were thought to protect your home, property, livestock, or crops, watching over them to prevent thieves and pests from wreaking havoc. In recent times, I feel they are mostly used in gardens for playfulness and light-hearted humour, with novelty gnomes proving very popular in modern spaces."

I feel like these two quotes can explain it better than me anyway - but there was actually a craze in the 1980’s where you would steal a garden gnome, take it on an adventure with loads of photos and then give it back with the photos to the original owner. It’s called Gnoming, and I would love to do this - but although England is the most popular Gnome location, I don’t know anyone who has any for me to steal, unfortunately.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE: 

Now onto modern media, there are quite a few this week based on the history behind this monster - so I hope you’re ready for this one!

For art, we have some really lovely paintings this week; such as Gnom mit Zeitung und Tabakspfeife by Heinrich Schlitt from 1923 and Gnome Watching Railway Train by Carl Spitzweg from 1848 - both lovely German romantic period pieces - so give these a look if you’re interested. 

In movies, we have quite a few like; Amelie, Gnome Alone, Rip Van Winkle, Sherlock Gnomes, The Gnome-Mobile, Harry Potter, The Sunshine Makers, A Gnome Named Gnorm, Boy Meets Dog, Boken Korobokkuru, Pinkeltje and To Spring. However, my favourite here is the Gnome animated adaptation of Romeo and Juliet, wonderfully named Gnomeo and Juliet, which is a really great movie for kids with a fantastic British voice cast.

For TV, we have; Charmed, legends of Tomorrow, Kabouter Plop, Merlin, Once Upon A Time, Power Rangers, Seriously Weird, The Shannara Chronicles, Special Unit 2, The Crumpets, Dragon Tales, Frankelda’s Book of Spells, gravity Falls, Freakazoid!, Kim Possible, Jimmy Two-Shoes, Baldmoney Sneezewort Dodder & Cloudberry, The Neverending Story series, Phineas and Ferb, Pop Pixie, South Park, Trollhunters & The World of David the Gnome.

In video games, we have loads such as; World of Warcraft, Kingdom of Loathing, Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning, Guild Wars, Dwarf Fortress, DragonFable, City of Heroes, Garden Gnome Carnage, Gaia Online, EverQuest, Fable 3, Arcanum, League of Legends, Harry Potter, LEGO Harry Potter, Nelson Tethers: Puzzle Agent, Overlord, Larry and the Gnomes, King's Quest 6, Neverwinter Nights 2, Majesty, Oxygen Not Included, Runescape, Terraria, The Sims, World of Mana, Tales Series, Plants vs Zombies, Pilot Kids & Pillars of Eternity.

My book recommendation this week is Mermaids, Sylphs, Gnomes, and Salamanders: Dialogues with the Kings and Queens of Nature by William R. Mistele and Illustrated Tales of Dwarfs, Gnomes and Fairy Folk by Ineke Verschuren and Daniela Drescher. These two are both more fact books, but there are loads of cute fun books about Gnomes, and kids books with stories about them too.

DO I THINK THEY EXISTED? 

Now it’s time for, do I think they existed?

I’m going to say no for this one unfortunately, because it’s just so weird that I can’t see it being a real monster. However, because of its prevalence in European folklore, so much so that it's socially normal to have a statue of this monster in silly poses in your garden. 

I love the idea of them being in different parts of Europe though, having their own little cultures and nationalities like people - and honestly, I love the idea of any nice monsters that are just minding their own business and don’t eat or get involved in human stuff. It’s a nice change from monsters we usually cover, as they’re not really a monster in the best sense - just a mythical being really. 

I went and asked around about the existence of gnomes from different nationalities I know around Europe and it seems like a mixed bag - definitely more believed alongside elves in Scandinavia, but for my German friends, they were very much like no man - that’s crazy, but we totally believe in a crazy Christmas demon. 

But what do you think? Did Gnomes roam the gardens and forests of Europe? Let me know on Twitter!

OUTRO: 

Awh I love a cute, summery monster - although, it’s a loose term using monster for Gnomes, but either way, it’s nice to know the history and folklore behind something that most of us in Europe acknowledge as a garden ornament.

Next week, we’re not really heading anywhere specifically, but we’re looking at a monster from religious folklore, the Seraph - or really, the real Angels that we all imagine from Christianity, Judaism and Islam. Make sure you’re on your best behaviour next Thursday to avoid the judgement of these beings.

For now, thank you so much for listening, it’s been an absolute pleasure. If you enjoyed this podcast, please give it a rating on the service you’re listening on - I’ve got the twitter for any questions, or suggestions on what monsters to cover next and I’d love to hear from you. The social media handles for Tiktok, Youtube and Instagram are mythmonsterspodcast, and twitter is mythmonsterspod. But all of our content can be found at mythmonsters.co.uk - you can also find us on Goodpods and Patreon if you want to help me fund the podcast too.

Come join the fun and share this with your pals, they might love me as much as you do.

But for now, stay spooky and I’ll see you later babes.