A gnome is a mythical creature characterized by its extremely small size and subterranean lifestyle.The word gnome is derived from the New Latin gnomus. It is often claimed to descend from the Greek γνώσις gnosis, "knowledge", but more likely comes from genomos "earth-dweller", in which case the omission of e is, as the OED calls it, a blunder. Another possibility is that it comes from the Arabic نوم (Noum) which means sleep. It is also possible that Paracelsus simply made the word up. Notable Gnomes in English Folklore include Sprin, Rumo, Pinny, Fislet and Gulcifer.

Paracelsus includes gnomes in his list of elementals, as earth elementals. He describes them as two spans high, and very taciturn. Sometimes they are seen as a type of fairy, though at other times are seen as a distinct species in their own right.

Some confusion arises as the gnome is one of many similar but subtly different creatures in European folklore; mythical creatures such as goblins and dwarves are often represented as gnomes, and vice versa.

Gnomes feature in the legends of many of central, northern and eastern European lands by other names: a kaukis is a Prussian gnome, and barbegazi are gnome-like creatures with big feet in the traditions of France and Switzerland. Further east, tengu are sometimes referred to as winged gnomes.

According to certain medieval beliefs, Gnomes were deformed, usually with a hunchback, and were led by their king, Gob, who ruled with a magic sword

Today, Gnomes are traditionally thought of as being small, bearded and wearing pointed, colourful, conical hats. They live in natural areas close to the Earth and care for wildlife. They are more benevolent than other folkloric creatures such as goblins. This traditional view is supported in such fictional works as The Secret Book of Gnomes.

Claims of Gnome sightings

Despite the fact that Gnomes are usually seen as a mythical creature with no real existence, there have been certain cases where people have claimed to have encountered real, living gnomes, that are not fictional.

Cottingley, England, 1917

One of the Cottingley fairies photographs taken in 1917 by two young girls depicts a gnome. When the duo confessed to faking the photographs in the 1980s, they continued to insist that the one that they had taken of the gnome was genuine.

Argentina, 2007-08

The Gnome sightings in Argentina is a reported wave of sightings of Gnomes in General Güemes, Salta, Argentina that came to its climax in 2007. The craze was similar to that of the chupacabra, which had also happened in the Americas. Some reports claim that a survey showed that 90% of locals believed in the creature with over a hundred claiming to have actually seen one of the creatures, however contrasting reports claim that very few locals actually believe in it.

Locals had reported seeing gnomes (or duendes) for several decades, however reports increased in 2007 after railway workers reported seeing one run around the tracks. They reported seeing a knee height humanoid creature wearing a pointy hood who ran sideways.

The story was reported by El Tribuno in Argentina, and then The Sun in the UK. It was then picked up by Fox News in the USA, before becoming something of an urban legend. Since then, many skeptics have declared the story to be false, claiming that the video used as the main evidence is faked and that reports of the beliefs were exaggerated.

Various video recordings claiming to depict the creatures were uploaded onto websites such as YouTube. The majority follow the same formula of a group of teenagers getting scared by a gnome, and running away screaming

May 2007 Video

In this video, lasting only 16 seconds, a group of teenage males are playing football outside when they are terrified by a gnome that appears to be only a few inches tall.^]

October 2007 Video

Two males are playing football indoors, when they are terrified at a creature that runs along the floor.

March 2008 Video

In March 2008, a 'creepy gnome' who wears a pointy hat, that locals claim stalks the streets of General Guemes, Salta, Argentina,was caught on video by local teenagers on their mobile phone, led by Jose Alvarez, who commented on how he and some friends had encountered it one night.

"We were chatting about our last fishing trip. It was one in the morning. I began to film a bit with my mobile phone while the others were chatting and joking. Suddenly we heard something — a weird noise as if someone was throwing stones... We looked to one side and saw that the grass was moving. To begin with we thought it was a dog but when we saw this gnome-like figure begin to emerge we were really afraid... This is no joke. We are still afraid to go out — just like everyone else in the neighbourhood now... One of my friends was so scared after seeing that thing that we had to take him to the hospital.

The video quality is fairly blurred and dark. It goes from showing the teenagers chatting, to zooming in on something rustling about in some long grass several metres away. The creature then dashes across a field, running sideways, and this is filmed for a brief few seconds.

A second video, virtually identical to the first, but with certain distinct differences, was later released on the internet, confirming that two very similar, yet different, versions of the account were filmed, providing strong evidence that the video was faked.

On October, 2008, South America’s ‘creepy gnome’ or ‘midget monster’ had again caused panic among locals. Experts examined the recorded footage, (by Juan Carlos Roldan, his brother Javier and 5 friends, by the water fountain in Clodomira, Santiago del Estero, Argentina, and running down Avenue San Martin). Photographic expert Aldegonda Alvarz, of Universidad Nacional de Santiago del Estero, stated: "This video footage seems credible. We could be looking at another ‘petiso orejudo’ - small being."

'Creepy gnome' terrorises town

A TOWN in South America is living in fear after several sightings of a 'creepy gnome' that locals claim stalks the streets at night.

The midget - which wears a pointy hat and has a distinctive sideways walk - was caught on video last week by a terrified group of youngsters.

Teenager Jose Alvarez - who filmed the gnome - yesterday told national newspaper El Tribuno that they caught the creature while larking about in their hometown of General Guemes, in the province of Salta, Argentina.

He said: “We were chatting about our last fishing trip. It was one in the morning.

“I began to film a bit with my mobile phone while the others were chatting and joking.

"Suddenly we heard somet

"Suddenly we heard something - a weird noise as if someone was throwing stones.

"We looked to one side and saw that the grass was moving. To begin with we thought it was a dog but when we saw this gnome-like figure begin to emerge we were really afraid."

Jose added that other locals had come forward to say they had spotted the gnome.

He said: “This is no joke. We are still afraid to go out - just like everyone else in the neighbourhood now.

"One of my friends was so scared after seeing that thing that we had to take him to the hospital.”

Earth Gnomes

The nature spirits of the Earth are called Gnomes.

Subgroups:
Brownies
Dryads
Durdalis
Earth Spirits
Elves
Hamadryads
Pans
Pygmies
Sylvestres
Satyrs

Fire: Salamanders

The salamanders are the spirit of fire. Without these beings, fire
cannot exist. You cannot light a match without a salamander's being
present. There are many families of salamanders, differing in size,
appearance, and dignity. Some people have seen them as small balls of
light, but most commonly they are perceived as being lizard-like in
shape and about a foot or more in length.

The salamanders are considered the strongest and most powerful of all
the elementals. Their ruler is a magnificent flaming being called
Djin. Those who have seen him say that he is terrible, yet
awe-inspiring in appearance.

Salamanders have the ability to extend their size or diminish it, as
needed. If you ever need to light a campfire in the wilderness, call
to the salamanders and they will help you.

It has also been said that salamanders (and the other elemental
beings) can be mischievous at times. For example, a fiery temper and
inharmonious conditions in a person's home can cause these beings to
make trouble. They are like children in that they don't fully
understand the results of their actions. They are greatly affected, as
are all nature spirits, by human humankind's thinking.

Air: Sylphs

The sylphs are the air spirits. Their element has the highest
vibratory rate of the four (beside earth, fire, water). They live
hundreds of years, often reaching one thousand and never seeming to
get old. They are said to live on the tops of mountains. The leader of
the sylphs is a being called Paralda who is said to dwell on the
highest mountain of Earth.

Sylphs often assume human form but only for short periods of time. The
vary in size from being as large as a human to being much smaller.
They are volatile and changeable. The winds are their particular
vehicle. The work through the gases and ethers of the Earth and are
kindly toward humans.

They are usually seen with wings, looking like cherubs or fairies.
Because of their connection to air, which is associated with the
mental aspect, one of their functions is to help humans receive
inspiration. The sylphs are drawn to those who use their minds,
particularly those on creative arts.

Water: Undines

The undines are the elemental beings that compose water. They are able
to control, to a great degree, the course and function of the water
element.

Etheric in nature, they exist within the water itself and this is why
they can't be seen with the normal physical vision. These beings are
beautiful to look at and are very graceful.

They are often seen riding the waves of the ocean. They can also be
found in rocky pools and in marshlands. They are clothed in a shimmery
substance looking like water but shinning with all the colors of the
sea, with green predominating. The concept of the mermaid is connected
with these elemental beings.

The undines also work with the plants that grow under the water and
with the motion of water. Some undines inhabit waterfalls, others live
in rivers and lakes. Every fountain has its nymph. Every ocean has its
oceanids.

The undines closely resemble humans in appearance and size, except for
those inhabiting smaller streams and ponds. The undines often live in
coral caves under the ocean or on the shores of lakes or banks of
rivers. Smaller undines live under lily pads.

The undines work with the vital essences and liquids of plants,
animals, and human beings. They are present in everything containing
water. There are many families of undines, as the chart indicates.

The ruler of the undines is a called Necksa. The undines love, serve,
and honor her unceasingly. They are emotional beings, very friendly
and open to being of service to human beings.

The smaller undines are often seen as winged beings that people have
mistakenly called fairies. Those winged beings are seen near flowers
that grow in watery areas. They have gossamer wings and gossamer
clothing.

---