Garden Gnomes

Gnomes are wrinkled, dwarfish-like earth spirits with pointed, red hats. Often, they're either misshapen or hunchbacked. In folklore, the gnomes are protectors of nature, and are most active at night. Gnomes are quite friendly, and exist in different habitats. Though some may live in gardens, others can be found in the forest, on farms, and in homes. At the Gnome Reserve and Wildflower Garden in Devon, England, they're very welcome indeed. Founded by Ann Atkin, a landscape painter, it has over 1000 gnomes on display.

Sir Charles Isham, an English aristocrat, originally brought the ceramic gnomes to his Northamptonshire estate in the 1860's from Germany, where they were first manufactured and called der Gartenzwerg. He was a spiritualist, and placed them in his rock garden, around trees, and caves. As kooky as it may sound, he actually believed there were real living gnomes, and wrote about the ones he saw in a book, "Notes on Gnomes."

At that time, gnomes were good-luck charms. Garden gnomes were very popular in Victorian times. There was a revival of interest during the 1930's and 40's. As a result of World War II, they disappeared. During the 1960's, they showed up again. In recent years, they've gained in popularity. As a matter of fact, sales have been so good that some manufacturers make ones suitable for seasonal use, particularly for Christmas.

In England, plastic garden gnomes are often viewed by some as kitsch in much the same manner as Americans look down on pink flamingos. If one buys a good quality ceramic figure, it should be displayed with pride. Yet, Horticulture magazine reported that the English police threatened one resident with arrest if he didn't remove four nude gnomes from his roof. Though the report didn't go into detail, perhaps the gnomes were seen as indecent.

Trendy garden designers may disdain these decorations, but ordinary folks still like them. In fact, Tesco-a British supermarket sold one that looked like Prime Minister Tony Blair. Now, gnomes are an icon of pop culture. But this still isn't good enough for some, as the Chelsea Garden Show forbids their use in displays.

Gnomes have appeared in "The Full Monty" as well as in commercials, including ones at the Superbowl and for Travelocity. They also show up in the Harry Potter book series.

To improve the reputation of gnomes, a British television series was launched. The cartoon, called "Garden Gnomes," was created with the intention of encouraging people to display the elfish creatures. English garden expert Alan Titchmarsh was chosen to be the voice of Gordon, the leading gnome.

There may have been a time when we could proudly display them in our front yards. If you do that now, it may disappear. As s a matter of fact, they are said to be the most frequently stolen garden decoration.

Alas, it may be no ordinary theft. The perpetrators often say they are "liberating" the gnomes. In France, the stolen garden gnomes are placed in unusual places, such as on traffic circles. In July 2001, the Gnome Liberation Front hit two French towns. Seventy gnomes ended up on the steps of the cathedral in Saint-Die. Some of them were arranged to spell, "Free the Gnomes." Since 1997, the group has relocated over 6000 gnomes. The irony is that the organization's campaign, launched to fight bad taste, has backfired. It has actually led to increased sales of gnomes.

There have been similar occurrences in Australia. In 2000, 150 of the gnomes were found on the steps of the Australian central bank prior to an important board meeting. This display differed from that elsewhere, since the gnomes weren't taken from people's gardens.

According to the July 28, 2003 edition of Newsweek, a group known as the Gnome Liberation Organization was stealing gnomes in Roseburg, Oregon and leaving notes stating the following:

" We have received intelligence of an enslaved gnome at your place of residence. Whether you have come across this gentle woodland creature through deliberate actions or innocent ignorance, we care not. It is now in a better place."

According to experts, the first such abductions occurred during the 1980's in Australia. The perpetrator sent the owner a postcard that said the gnome was on holiday in Queensland. Since that time, the prank has been repeated numerous times in other locations. Often, the owner receives photos of his/her gnome at famous landmarks.

Though these pranks may seem fun, the police may have different views. Three young men in Lockport, NY were arrested for the possession of fourteen stolen gnomes.