Rachel Evans
Three Kings Day, also known as the Feast of Epiphany, is a Christian tradition that celebrates the manifestation of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, as represented by the three wise men or kings who visited him after his birth bearing gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. While it is observed by various Christian denominations, including Orthodox Christians, it is particularly significant for Roman Catholics, who traditionally celebrate it on January 6th as the culmination of the 12 days of Christmas.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 6 January |
| Names | Three Kings Day, Feast of Epiphany, Dia de Los Reyes, Theophany Feast |
| What it Commemorates | The day the three wise men (Melchior, Caspar, and Balthazar) arrived with gifts for baby Jesus |
| Traditions | Blessing of the Home, Chalking of the Doors, Baking King Cakes, Parades, Gift-giving |
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What You'll Learn
- Three Kings Day is celebrated by Roman Catholics on 6 January
- The day commemorates the three wise men who visited baby Jesus
- The wise men are known as Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar
- Traditions include parades, carols, and gift-giving
- The Epiphany is also celebrated by Protestants and Orthodox Christians
Three Kings Day is celebrated by Roman Catholics on 6 January
Three Kings Day, also known as the Feast of Epiphany, is a Christian tradition that commemorates the day the three wise men, or the Magi, arrived and presented gifts to baby Jesus. The three wise men are commonly known as Melchior, Caspar, and Balthazar. However, these names are not mentioned in the Bible and are only used in Western Christian traditions.
Roman Catholics celebrate Three Kings Day on 6 January, marking the end of the 12 days of Christmas. It is traditionally celebrated with a wide array of customs around the world. In some cultures, Christmas decorations are taken down on Epiphany, while in others, they remain until Candlemas on 2 February. In countries historically influenced by Western Christianity, such as those with Roman Catholic and Protestant traditions, customs often involve gift-giving, "king cakes", and a festive conclusion to the Christmas season.
In Spain, Italy, and Latin American countries, children believe that their Christmas presents are delivered by the Three Kings or the Magi on 6 January. In Spain, children also leave their shoes by the door on the night of 5 January, and in some Latin American countries, children pick grass or hay and leave water for the camels to eat and drink. In Poland, huge parades are held to welcome the Wise Men, often riding on camels or other zoo animals, with participants dressed in Renaissance attire. Carols are sung, and living nativity scenes are performed.
In Louisiana, Epiphany marks the beginning of the Carnival season, during which "king cakes" are baked and shared. In Puerto Rico, it is also referred to as "Día de Los Tres Reyes Magos" or Three Kings' Day and is an important festive holiday. In Bulgaria, an Eastern Orthodox priest throws a cross into a river on Epiphany, and those who retrieve the cross or join the dance in the river are believed to have good health for the rest of the year.
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The day commemorates the three wise men who visited baby Jesus
Three Kings Day, also known as the Feast of Epiphany, is a Catholic holiday that commemorates the three wise men, or the Magi, who visited baby Jesus. The Bible says that a bright star led the Magi from the east until it stopped "over the place where the child was" and, "upon entering the house, they saw the child with Mary, his mother". The three wise men were Melchior, Caspar, and Balthazar, and they are often referred to as kings because of their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, which symbolise Christ's elevated position, divine birth, and mortality.
The day is celebrated by Roman Catholics on 6 January, marking the end of the 12 days of Christmas. In the Latin Rite, the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River is celebrated separately, seven days after the Epiphany. In Eastern Catholic Churches, the Theophany feast is observed on 19 January according to the Julian calendar.
Three Kings Day is celebrated with a wide array of customs around the world. In some cultures, the greenery and nativity scenes put up at Christmas are taken down at Epiphany. In other cultures, these remain until Candlemas on 2 February. In countries historically influenced by Western Christianity, customs often involve gift-giving, "king cakes", and a celebratory close to the Christmas season. In Spain, children believe that their Christmas presents are delivered by the Three Wise Men on 6 January. In Italy and Spain, children may dress in colours representing Europe, Asia, and Africa, which are the supposed homes of the Wise Men. In Poland, huge parades are held to welcome the Wise Men, often riding on camels or other animals from the zoo. In Uruguay, Three Kings Day parades also take place.
In some European countries, children leave their shoes out to be filled with gifts, similar to the tradition of leaving cookies and milk for Santa. In other countries, children leave grass or hay and water for the camels to eat and drink. In Spain, Mexico, and other Latin American countries, "Rosca de Reyes" or "King's bread" is made, which includes baking a Jesus figurine and a bean into the bread. Whoever finds the figurine is crowned king or queen of the celebration, while the person who finds the bean must pay for the next Epiphany party.
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The wise men are known as Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar
Three Kings Day, also known as the Feast of Epiphany, is a Catholic tradition that commemorates the visitation of the Magi to the baby Jesus. The three wise men are known as Caspar (or Casper), Melchior, and Balthazar.
The names of the three wise men are not mentioned in the Bible. However, since the 7th century, the Catholic Church has identified the Magi as Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar. These names are derived from various traditions and interpretations.
Caspar is also known as Casper, Gaspar, Kaspar, Jasper, and other variations. He is often considered to be an Indian scholar or king. Some believe his kingdom was located in the region of Egrisilla in India Superior (modern-day Thailand), while others associate him with the ancient silk road city of Taxila. The name Caspar is derived from the ancient Chaldean word "Gizbar," which means "treasurer."
Melchior is also known as Melichior and is believed to be a Persian scholar or king.
Balthazar, also known as Balthasar, Balthassar, and Bithisarea, is associated with Arabia and is often represented as a king of Arabia.
The three wise men are considered saints by the Catholic Church and are venerated on Epiphany, which falls on January 6. They are said to have followed a star to Bethlehem to worship and bring gifts to the baby Jesus. These gifts—gold, frankincense, and myrrh—held symbolic significance, representing Jesus's royal status, divinity, and human nature, respectively.
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Traditions include parades, carols, and gift-giving
Three Kings Day, also known as the Feast of Epiphany, is celebrated by Roman Catholics on the 6th of January. It is the culmination of the 12 days of Christmas and is observed primarily in Spain, Central and South America, and the Caribbean. The day commemorates the arrival of the three wise men—Melchior, Caspar, and Balthazar—who travelled to Bethlehem with gifts for baby Jesus.
Three Kings Day celebrations include parades, carol singing, and gift exchanges. In New York, El Museo del Barrio has celebrated Three Kings Day with a parade since 1978. The parade features live music, a parranda (a festive gathering with music and dancing), free gallery admissions, and participants wearing crowns and headdresses. Parades also take place in other parts of the world, including Madrid and Uruguay.
In Portugal, Epiphany carol singing is known as "Janeiras". On the Island of Madeira, carol singing is called "Cantar os Reis" (singing the kings). El Museo del Barrio's Three Kings Day celebration also includes community caroling.
Gift-giving is another important tradition on Three Kings Day. In some countries, such as Mexico, children leave their shoes by the door, expecting the three kings to fill them with small gifts. In Italy, children receive presents on Epiphany from an old lady called La Befana, who is said to have joined the magi on their journey to Bethlehem.
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The Epiphany is also celebrated by Protestants and Orthodox Christians
The Epiphany, or Three Kings Day, is celebrated by Christians around the world. While the Catholic Church and some Protestant branches commemorate the visit of the Magi to the infant Jesus, Eastern Orthodox Churches focus on Jesus' baptism in the Jordan River.
In Western Christian denominations, such as Roman Catholicism and some Protestant branches, Three Kings Day honours the visit of the Magi to the infant Jesus, representing the revelation of Jesus as the Son of God to the Gentiles. This is based on the biblical account in the Gospel of Matthew, where the Magi, or Three Kings, followed a star to Bethlehem to bring gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to the child Jesus.
Eastern Christianity, particularly the Eastern Orthodox Church, emphasizes Jesus' baptism in the Jordan River. This manifestation of Jesus as the Son of God is also based on the Gospel of Matthew, where John the Baptist baptizes Jesus in the River Jordan. Variations in the liturgical calendar may affect the date of the celebration for Eastern Orthodox Christians.
The Ethiopian Orthodox Church and the Eritrean Orthodox Church celebrate Epiphany on January 19 according to the Gregorian calendar, with the date moving to January 20 when the new year falls on Gregorian September 12. The celebration, known as Timkat, features the blessing of water and solemn processions with the sacred Tabot. The Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria also celebrates Epiphany, marking the moment when God revealed himself as the father of Jesus and all mankind during the baptism of Jesus.
In countries with traditions shaped by Western Christianity, such as Protestantism, Epiphany customs often involve gift-giving, "king cakes", and parades. In Orthodox nations, water, baptismal rites, and house blessings are typically central to the celebrations.
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