GARDEN GNOMES

There is much folklore concerning Garden Gnomes, mythical creatures known to have lived in the forest among fairies and wood nymphs. According to myth, garden gnomes are 7x stronger than humans, live for approximately 400 years, and rub noses in greeting. For more information check out the book Gnomes by Wil Huygen.

Despite Garden Gnomes' reputation for being michievious but loveable garden dwellers, their origin may not be as magical as expected. Roman Emperor Hadrian was said to have had real people as garden ornaments, also known as hermits, who roamed the gardens looking dishevelled and dirty. Apparently, these hermits inspired the modern day gnome.

Nowadays, you can find ornamental garden gnomes in household gardens where they are often pictured as impish or outright rude.