Garden Gnomes

The earliest appearance of a garden gnome-like statue was in ancient Rome. Their garden forerunners were statues that represented the Roman gods. The most common among them was the god Priapus, a minor fertility deity whose origin came from Greek mythology. This deity was the protector of livestock, planting, and gardening. The act of putting out statues that represent mythical creatures has been around as early as the renaissance. 

Garden gnomes became popular as home ornaments by the beginning of the 18th century, but mostly for wealthy families. It is believed that the very first contemporary-looking garden gnome (with the iconic red hat), was made in Germany by sculptor Phillip Griebel. Soon, the fashion had spread across Europe, from England to Poland, and Griebel concentrated his entire manufacturing around producing garden gnomes.

Gnomes have been a big part of folklore for centuries. They are typically portrayed as small humanoid creatures with a pointy red hat and a long white beard. Current statues can be made of concrete or plastic and come in different sizes, shapes, and colors. 

There are several reasons the use of gnomes in a garden became popular. In the very beginning, garden gnomes are a symbol of good luck. Gnomes also added some color to a mostly green garden. People also thought the gnomes would provide protection. They were thought to provide protection for buried treasure, minerals in the ground, and to watch over crops and livestock.

For some, the presence of gnomes in the garden helped promote the natural growth of plants. Folklore indicates the gnomes were creatures that took care of vegetation. They were known to be good with their hands which is great for growing plants. Others felt the primary function of these statues was to protect the gardens from evil spirits, as well as to ensure a successful harvest. Gnomes for some people help provide a connection to an older way of life. Farmers believed they were good luck charms and even helped gardeners during the night.