Strange but True — The History of Gnomes

Gnome-like structures have been around since ancient Roman times, where they were first seen as tiny versions of deities positioned outside the home. The most common of them was a representation of the god, Priapus, a fertility god from Greek myth. The origins of the word ‘gnome’ is uncertain, but it may be from the Greek for earth-dweller, ‘genomos’. Priapus was linked to the protection of livestock, planting, and gardening, but unlike our modern-day gnomes, the statue was often in the form of a male member. Its job was to ward off evil spirits and encourage an abundant harvest.