A word of advice before buying a garden gnome: brace yourself, for you're entering a strange world of mythology and folklore and political oppression. The word gnome stems from the Greek word gnosis, or knowledge, and gnomes are known as guardians of secrets and esoteric wisdom. They also wear felt boots and like to tell melancholy stories. Yet gnomes are peaceful and watchful beings, and you won't find a better keeper of your home than a garden gnome.

Origins

Lawn gnomes have played a large role in fairy tales and mystery religions. Paracelsus, a 16th century alchemist and occultist, claimed gnomes were the most important of the earth's elemental spirits. The Brothers Grimm, on the other hand, told of strange old gnomes that lived deep underground and guarded troves of treasure. The 20th century anthroposophist Rudolf Steiner lectured about the role of gnomes in the development of plant life.

Needless to say, comical gnomes have not often been able to speak for themselves.

Garden Gnomes

The first clay garden gnome was made in Germany in the 1800s. Garden gnomes migrated to Britain in 1847 when Sir Charles Isham brought 21 terracotta garden gnomes from Germany and placed them in his garden in Northamptonshire. Only one of these original garden gnome immigrants still survives. He's named Lampy and is insured for one million pounds.