Various conspiracy theories and urban legends have arisen around the comic book and children's television cartoon The Smurfs (originally created by Belgian cartoonist Peyo). These theories have variously atributed the Smurfs as being communist, nazis or Satanists, and that Peyo had deliberately created them thus to propagate his beliefs among children. The theories are seen as something of a joke by many.
Communism and the Smurfs Perhaps the most prolific of theories is that which states that the Smurfs' are communists. Papa Smurf wears a red hat (red being the colour of communism) and has a beard similar to that of Karl Marx. The Smurfs' village funtions as a communist commune, with complete equality under the control of the leader, Papa Smurf and it operates as a closed market economy. Gargamel, the Smurfs' enemy, is portrayed as greedy and often trying to turn the Smurfs into gold, making him the stereotypical negative capitalist.
Nazism and the Smurfs Some have noticed similar connections with Nazism and other racist, far right groups. The vast majority of the Smurfs wear white hats, except for Papa Smurf, who wears a red hat. This clothing is akin to the costumes of the Klu Klux Klan. The Smurfs' enemy, Gargamel, fits the Anti-Semitic stereotype of a Jew.
Satanism and the Smurfs The Satanic Smurf Craze was a widespread rumour or urban legend that came to a head in 1983 in Puerto Rico. It was similar to other Latin American scares, such as the chupacabra and the Gnome sightings in Argentina. The rumours told of how people had been seeing Smurfs dressed as The Devil, and practising Satanism. Some have linked the rumours to the fact that in an episode of The Smurfs television series, Gargamel makes the mark of a pentagram on the floor and generally practises black magic. Papa Smurf also creates potions and spells, which are considered by some to be a form of magic. The television channel Telemundo had recently begun airing the cartoon television series of The Smurfs and some have suggested that the rumour was started by a rival television company.
