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| − | [[Category:Politics and social sciences]]
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| − | [[Category:Anthropology]]
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| − | {{Ebcompleted}}{{Submitted}}{{Images OK}}{{Approved}}{{Paid}}{{Copyedited}}{{2Copyedited}}
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| − | [[Image:Nisse_d_apres_nature_ill_jnl_fal.png|thumb|right|A Nisse (gnome) hiding behind a [[toadstool]].]]
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| − | The '''gnome''' is a class of [[legendary creature]]s throughout [[Europe]] and, by cultural transfer, in the [[United States]] that has taken on many different meanings, but most generally refers to very small people, often men, that live in dark places, especially underground, in the depths of forests, or more recently in gardens. Most European ethnic groups have had some kind of gnome legends with local variations. Modern traditions portray gnomes as small, old men wearing pointed hats and living in forests and gardens.
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| − | Despite varying forms, gnomes have the common attribute of being able to move through the earth as easily as humans move atop it. [[Paracelsus]], a sixteenth century Swiss [[alchemy|alchemist]] identified gnomes as a class of nature spirits comprising earth elementals (in contrast to the air, water, and fire elementals). The class of gnomes has been considered to include [[satyrs]], [[pans]], [[dryads]], [[elves]], [[brownies], and [[goblins]], some helping plants and animals, some helping humans, some reclusive ones staying underground or in dark forests, perhaps hoarding treasure, and others interacting mischievously or even harmfully with humans.
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| − | The garden gnome, first appearing in Germany, has appeared in gardens in many parts of the world and achieved an iconic status in popular culture.
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| − | ==Etymology==
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| − | The word '''gnome''' is derived from the [[New Latin]], ''gnomus.'' It is often claimed to descend from the [[Greek language|Greek]] ''gnosis'' ("knowledge,") but more likely comes from ''genomos'' "earth-dweller."<ref> ''Oxford English Dictionary'' (Oxford Press, 1971, ISBN 019861117X). </ref>
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| − | ==Description==
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| − | The depiction of gnomes has changed quite often over the years and remained different in different cultures. Originally many of them were conceived of as ugly, ground dwelling creatures that were less [[humanoid]] than the gnomes of today. In fact, they were more akin to small [[goblin]]s and disfigured [[faeries]], and acted more like [[animal]]s than [[human being]]s. In contrast, modern sources often depict gnomes as diminutive, stout humanoids who wear tall, pointed conical caps and dress in solid colors such as blue, red, or green; in this depiction, the male gnome always has a long white beard.<ref>Online Encyclopedia of Monsters, [http://faerie.monstrous.com/gnomes.htm Gnomes.] Retrieved August 12, 2007.</ref> They have the [[intelligence]] of a human (are sometimes thought to be wiser), and have human-like [[personality|personalities]].
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| − | While their appearances may differ, the older and newer traditions do share a similar belief in gnomes' capabilities: They are said to move as easily through the earth as humans walk upon it, and the [[sun]]'s rays turn them into [[stone]]. They are incredibly strong and fast, and said to possess almost [[supernatural]] abilities in the manipulation of natural material (although they also are said to fiercely guard against any unnecessary damage to the earth and wildlife).
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| − | ==Origin==
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| − | Gnomes first appeared in the oral tradition of [[Northern Europe]]an [[folklore]], and so it is difficult to pinpoint their exact origins. Gnomes share many characteristics with the [[Norse mythology|Norse]] [[dwarf|dwarves]], so much so that it is suggested that at a time in [[Scandinavia|Scandinavian]] tradition, the two were actually interchangeable. At some point, however, a split between gnomes and dwarves occurred. It is not clear if this happened before or after dwarves were assimilated into [[Netherlands|Dutch]] and [[Germany|German]] tradition. What is known is that the modern day depiction of gnomes is more Dutch than Scandinavian. Thus, it is speculated that Dutch tradition created gnomes as they are known today out of Norse dwarves, and from there gnome belief spread to Germany and back into Scandinavia.
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| − | In the sixteenth century, the [[Switzerland|Swiss]] [[alchemy|alchemist]] [[Paracelsus]] popularized the gnome when he declared them to be the most important of the [[elemental]] spirits. In his view, gnomes represented the earth, specifically [[stone]] and [[mineral]]s, and possessed the supernatural energies associated within these materials.
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| − | ==Cultural variants==
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| − | Like many creatures based in oral tradition, every culture that incorporates gnomes views the creatures somewhat differently. Below are descriptions of the most common gnome traditions found in Europe.
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| − | ===Scandinavia===
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| − | [[Image:Nisse1.jpg|thumb|left|250px|A ''tomtenisse'' made of wood. A common Scandinavian [[Christmas]] decoration.]]
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| − | The traditional word for gnomes in the [[Scandinavia]]n culture is ''Tomte'' which was originally coined by [[Saint Birgitta]] of [[Sweden]] in the 1300s.<ref name=beryl>Beryl, [http://www.beryl-the-gnome.co.uk/alva.htm A Bit of Gnome Lore] (2000). Retrieved July 20, 2007.</ref> They are also known as ''Nisse'' in [[Norway]] and [[Denmark]]. Gnomes are believed to live for 400 years, are industrious, kind, and wise. [[Family]] is important to them, and they almost always merry. Female gnomes give birth only once, usually to twins. They always live in rural areas, sometimes even on (or below) farms, and will give advice to farmers. They are seen as guardians of nature and animals. Although they are kind to humans, gnomes are still very secretive; they never allow humans to know the location of their burrows, never teach non-gnomes their language, and appear only when they want to.
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| − | In more recent times, gnomes have been said to be the helpers of [[Santa Claus]], and in Scandinavia, [[Christmas]] images usually depict gnomes in the role that [[elf|elves]] play in other parts of the Western world.<ref name=beryl/>
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| − | ===Germany===
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| − | [[Image:Moritz von Schwind 008.jpg|thumb|200 px|''Rübezahl,'' [[Moritz von Schwind]], 1859.]]
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| − | Often featured in [[Germany|Germanic]] [[fairy tale]]s, including those by the [[Brothers Grimm]], the German gnome often resembles a gnarled old man, living deep underground, who guards buried treasure. Because of this, [[Swiss banking|Swiss bankers]] are sometimes disparagingly referred to as the "Gnomes of Zürich." Individual gnomes are not very often detailed or featured as characters in stories, but in Germanic folklore, [[Rübezahl]], the lord over the [[underworld]], was sometimes referred to as a mountain gnome.
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| − | Germany made gnomes famous in the mid-1800s with the first production of the [[Gnome#Garden gnome|garden gnome]] in the town of [[Gräfenroda]] in [[Thuringia]], by [[Phillip Griebel]]. Griebel made [[terracotta]] animals as decorations and created the gnome based on local [[myth]]s as a way for people to enjoy the stories of the gnomes' willingness to help in the garden at night. Gnome manufacture spread across Germany, with numerous large and small manufacturers appearing, each one having its own particular design.
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| − | ===Netherlands===
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| − | [[Image:Kabouterkoning-Kyrie_PeterMaas.jpg|thumb|left|200 px|Kabouter King Kyrië in Hoogeloon, the Netherlands.]]
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| − | ''Kabouter'' is the [[Dutch language|Dutch]] word for gnome. In [[Dutch mythology]] and [[Dutch folklore]], ''kabouters'' are tiny men who live underground or else are household spirits helping in the home. They are generally shy of humans. The males have long, full beards (unlike dwarves, who do not always have full beards) and wear tall, pointed red hats. In the ''Legend of the Wooden Shoes,'' an old Dutch folktale, the ''kabouter'' teaches the Dutch man how to make [[wooden shoe]]s.<ref>William Elliot Griffis, [http://www.surlalunefairytales.com/books/dutch/griffis/woodenshoe.html Legend of the Wooden Shoes] in ''Dutch Fairy Tales For Young Folks'' (New York: Thomas Y. Crowell Co., 1918). Retrieved August 20, 2008.</ref>
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| − | The Dutch illustrator [[Rien Poortvliet]] played an important part in Kabouter lore with the publication of ''Leven en werken van de Kabouter'' ("Lives and Works of the Gnome") written by Wil Huygen, later translated into English and published as ''Gnomes.''<ref>Wil Huygen, ''Gnomes'' (Harry N. Abrams Inc., 1977, ISBN 0810909650).</ref>
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| − | ==Garden gnomes==
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| − | [[Image:German garden gnome.jpg|thumb|right|Typical German garden gnome.]]
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| − | [[Image:lamport-gnome-replica-amoswolfe.jpg|right|thumb|A replica of Lampy the Lamport gnome.]]
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| − | After the first garden gnome was produced in [[Germany]] by [[Phillip Griebel]], the practice quickly spread across all of Germany and into [[France]] and [[England]], wherever [[gardening]] was a serious [[hobby]]. Griebel's descendants still make them and are the last of the German producers, all others having moved production to [[Poland]] or [[China]].
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| − | Traditional garden 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 off to do his work in someone's garden. More modern gnomes are made from [[resin]]s and similar materials.
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| − | Garden gnomes have become a popular [[lawn ornament|accessory]] in many gardens. In certain locale, however, the garden gnomes have become the target of [[prank]]s: People have been known to return garden gnomes "to the wild," notably [[France]]'s Front de Liberation des Nains de Jardins and [[Italy]]'s MALAG (Garden Gnome Liberation Front). Some [[kidnap]]ped garden gnomes have been sent on trips around the world.
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| − | A sub-culture exists among those who collect garden gnomes, which is frequently lampooned in popular culture.
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| − | Gnomes have become controversial in serious [[gardening]] circles in the [[United Kingdom]], and are banned from the prestigious [[Chelsea Flower Show]] as the organizers claim that they detract from the garden designs. Gnome enthusiasts accuse the organizers of snobbery because gnome figures are popular in working class and suburban gardens.
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| − | ==Gnomes in popular culture==
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| − | Gnomes show up in many books and tales in popular culture. [[L. Frank Baum]]'s ''[[The Wonderful Wizard of Oz]]'' and ''[[The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus]],'' ''[[Ozma of Oz]],'' all featured gnomes (called "nomes"). Legendary author [[J. R. R. Tolkien]] used the word "gnome" in his early work, ''The Book of Lost Tales,'' for the people later called the [[Noldor]] (part of his [[Calaquendi|High Elves]]). However, he dropped the term in his published works, since he found the gnomes of [[folklore]] to be so unlike his High Elves as to confuse his readers.
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| − | Some of the most famous works regarding gnomes are ''Gnomes'' and ''Secrets of the Gnomes'' by [[Wil Huygen]] and [[Rien Poortvliet]]. They are illustrated fictional guidebooks to the [[mythical creature]]s, and resulted in the [[animated series]], ''The World of David the Gnome.'' Originally written in Dutch, these books depict the Kabouters (Dutch gnomes) as a wise, noble, and civilized race whose natural enemies are the [[troll]]s, due to their contrasting natures.
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| − | In some [[role-playing game]]s, including ''[[RuneScape]],'' ''[[Dungeons & Dragons]],'' ''[[EverQuest]],'' ''[[Horizons: Empire of Istaria]],'' and ''[[World of Warcraft]],'' gnomes are featured as a short race of [[humanoid]]s, closely related to [[dwarf|dwarves]], exceptionally adept at tinkering and mechanics. They and their allies often have technologies not normally found in fantasy settings, such as [[firearm]]s or [[robot]]-like automata.
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| − | ==Notes==
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| − | <references/>
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| − | ==References==
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| − | * Huygen, Wil. [1977] 2006. ''Gnomes.'' Harry N. Abrams Inc. ISBN 0810954982.
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| − | * Huygen, Wil. 1994. ''The Complete Gnomes.'' Harry N. Abrams Books. ISBN 0810931958.
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| − | * Huygen, Wil and Rien Poortvliet. 1987. ''Secrets of the Gnomes.'' Harry N. Abrams Inc. ISBN 0810916142.
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| − | * Russell, Vivian. 2006. ''Gnomes.'' Frances Lincoln. ISBN 0711223254.
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| − | ==External links==
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| − | * [http://faerie.monstrous.com/gnomes.htm Gnomes] Retrieved August 12, 2007.
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| − | * [http://www.zwerglignomes.com History of gnomes] with pictures showing how they are made Retrieved August 13, 2007.
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| − | * [http://www.rickwalton.com/folktale/brown27.htm Rubezahl] Retrieved August 20, 2007.
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| − | {{Credits|Gnome|93872704|Kabouter|126324792|}}
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