#tomtar

[royalblurryfacedbastard]

"Klappa hund" ("petting the dog") the absolute quickest ms paint doodle on my phone before bed

[weirdchristmas]

Podcast! It actually started happening before Christmas! Just the first of many this year. And the story contest show is almost done, too.

This one's about Scandinavian gnomes/elves (nisse, tomten) with Benito Cereno. @benito-cereno

[thebrickdwarf]

Tomtar

Two Tomtar. In english Tomtar is called Elfs, but it's not really the same thing. In the Nordic countries, there is a myriad of different folklore creatures called "Oknytt".

Tomten is perhaps one of the few that some people still believe in, at least a little. Although very few would openly admit so.

A very short description of the Tomtar. Just like humans, they are mortal. However, they live very long lives, perhaps 300-400 years. They also have some magical abilities. Most notably, the ability to turn invisible. They can also make their home invisible.

A Tomte is the protector and caretaker of a place. You can be certain that every old farm has one or several Tomtar looking after the place, even if it is abandoned. You can also find Tomtar in churches, castles, graveyards, barns and cottages. In fact, there is probably a Tomte in every building. Even newer ones.

Tomtar also resides in the forests. If a stretch of road running through or near a forest and has more accidents than usual then Tomtar may be the cause. They are probably angry at the traffic. Despite this, Tomtar are usually good and helpful as long as you do not anger them. If you do, they can be very vengeful.

Some things you absolutely should avoid if you want "your" Tomte to stay friendly:

Never be mean to animals

Never throw out hot water without first shouting a warning to the Tomte

Never forget to give porridge to the Tomte on Christmas

Never destroy large rocks or trees on your land unless you really have to. The Tomte will know if it was absolutely necessary or not.

Lastly, as I'm a nurse, I want to add that it is very common for people with dementia or mental disorders to start seeing Tomtar, or "smågubbar" meaning little people. It's so common that it has become a proverb. To say that someone is seeing "smågubbar" is to say that they are a bit crazy. It would be interesting to hear if this is the case in other places as well or if it is something specific to the Nordics.

[drunkenclown555]

Me if you even fucking care.

If you even fucking give a shit.

This is me. This is my life.

Shitlips.

[schaeder]

Tomtar

Boken ”Tomtar”, som blev utgiven på svenska 1979, var något som gick mig helt förbi på den tiden då det begav sig. Det var en nederländsk bok, med text av Wil Huygen och mycket väl illustrerad av Rien Poortvliet-

Boken ”Tomtar” som blev utgiven på svenska 1979 var något som gick mig helt förbi den tiden då det begav sig. Det är en nederländsk bok (Leven en werken van de kabouter) från 1976 med text av Wil Huygen och illustrationer av Rien Poortvliet, översatt av Birgitta Dalgren. Ett urval källor Omslag till boken ”Tomtar” utgiven på svenska 1979. ©Rabén&Sjögren Tomtar är utformad som en faktabok, med…

[filurig]

goat costume for one of the haeggir holidays which occurs during winter solstice - "farallvir", which ends up being adopted by humans into their own christmas tradition!

[lepetitdragonvert]

Bland Tomtar Och Troll / Among Gnomes and Trolls

Cover book

1910

Artist : John Bauer

[peppzi]

BAKTBAJRBAJRAARGRHAEGAAHBAAKRBAKRBOABRKBAKR BAKEBAKD BAKEBAKBEKABELABRK LANSIDFNGRGURLGURORPGLEUFOGPREBEOSHAAAAAVRRRGFHDNABAJRBAHDVDJAGDJSHDDH meow meow meow meow //uwu//

Pookie is that u??? You've quite literally scared away all my little tomtar and now you scared away my kvarngubbe. I think your barking and meowing has attracted something... something bad.

PLS CEASE THIS OR I WILL HAVE TO MAKE A VERY VAUGE CALLOUT POST ABOUT YOU

[legendsloverlady]

John Albert Bauer

Among Gnomes and Trolls

[enchantedbook]

Witch from 'Bland Tomtar och Troll' by Gustaf Tenggren, 1922

[chronivore]

Christmas Goat, 1912

John Bauer

John Albert Bauer (4 June 1882 – 20 November 1918) was a Swedish painter and illustrator. His work is concerned with landscape and mythology, but he also composed portraits. He is best known for his illustrations of early editions of Bland tomtar och troll (Among Gnomes and Trolls), an anthology of Swedish folklore and fairy tales.

[royalblurryfacedbastard]

"Skavfötters" ("Opposite Sides Of The Bed") 2024

A drawing I made last night of two gnome girls sleeping together in a box (I love them they're so cute)

[sassafrasmoonshine]

John Bauer (Swedish, 1882-1918) • Lena Dances with the Knight • from the anthology Among Gnomes and Trolls • 1915

Among Gnomes and Trolls (Swedish: Bland tomtar och troll), is a popular Swedish folklore and fairy tales annual and children's fairy tale anthology published since 1907. One of the most noted of the early illustrators is artist John Bauer.

[xphaiea]

Gustaf Tenggren • from the cover of 'Bland Tomtar Och Troll'

[mermaidenmystic]

If someone else cries when you laugh then you will have your tears back ~ illustration for "Drottningens halsband" (The queens necklace) written by Anna Wahlenberg in "Bland tomtar och troll" (Among gnomes and trolls) ~ 1914 ~ illustrated by John Bauer (Swedish artist, 1882-1918)

[emvidal]

"Tomtar (Swedish for gnomes) require very little from the humans they work for, demanding only their respect and trust, and a bowl of porridge on Christmas eve, which they consider their due. The porridge MUST have butter... or else."

"Legends of the Tomtar," Skandium Journal. Illus. by John Bauer, "Woman Leaving Porridge for the Tomtar," 1908.