| Gnome | |
|---|---|
 | |
|
Real Name |
Gnome |
|
First Appearanc |
A Book on Nymphs, Sylphs, Pygmies, and Salamanders, and on the Other Spirits (1566) |
|
Created by |
Paracelsus |
Origin[]
A gnome is a mythological creature and diminutive spirit in Renaissance magic and alchemy, introduced by Paracelsus in the 16th century. Paracelsus used Gnomi as a synonym of Pygmæi and classifies them as earth elementals. According to Paracelsus and his subsequent followers, there are four categories of elementals, which are gnomes, undines, sylphs, and salamanders. He describes gnomes as two spans high, very reluctant to interact with humans and able to move through solid earth as easily as humans move through air.
The chthonic or earth-dwelling spirit has precedents in numerous ancient and medieval mythologies, often guarding mines and precious underground treasures, notably in the Germanic dwarfs and the Greek Chalybes, Telchines or Dactyls. The gnomes of Swiss folklore follow this template, as they are said to have caused the landslide that destroyed the Swiss village of Plurs in 1618 - the villagers had become wealthy from a local gold mine created by the gnomes, who poured liquid gold down into a vein for the benefit of humans, and were corrupted by this newfound prosperity, which greatly offended the gnomes.
In L. Frank Baum's Oz books (published 1900 to 1920), the Nomes (so spelled), especially their king, are the chief adversaries of the Oz people. They are ugly, hot-tempered, immortal, round-bodied creatures with spindly limbs, long beards and wild hair, militantly collecting and protecting jewels and precious metals underground. Ruth Plumly Thompson, who continued the series (1921 to 1976) after Baum's death, reverted to the traditional spelling. He also featured gnomes in his book The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus. They watch over the rocks, their king is part of the Council of Immortals, and they created the sleigh bells for Santa Claus's reindeer.
Public Domain Appearances[]
- A Book on Nymphs, Sylphs, Pygmies, and Salamanders, and on the Other Spirits (1566)
- Comte de Gabalis (1670)
- The Rape of the Lock (1712)
- Twice-Told Tales (1837)
- Little People of the Snow (1877)
- Among the Gnomes: An Occult Tale of Adventure in the Untersberg (1896)
- The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus (1902)
Public Domain Comic Appearances[]
- Fairy Tale Parade #7
- Weird Terror #2
- Captain Wizard #1
Notes[]
- A list of gnome characters on this wiki can be found here.