Every January 6, the Catholic world celebrates the Epiphany of the Lord, one of the most endearing festivities in the liturgical calendar. That day commemorates the visit of the Three Wise Men to the baby Jesus in Bethlehem, according to the story in the Gospel of Matthew 2, 1-12. There it reads: “When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of King Herod, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the east, and we have come to worship him. When King Herod heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when all the chief priests and the scribes of the people were summoned, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. They said to him: In Bethlehem of Judea; for thus it is written by the prophet: And you, Bethlehem, of the land of Judah, are not the least among the princes of Judah; For out of you will come a guide, Who will shepherd my people Israel…. They, having heard the king, departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the east went before them, until, arriving, he stopped over where the child was. And when they saw the star, they rejoiced with great joy. And when they entered the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they fell down and worshiped him; and opening their treasures, they offered him gifts: gold, frankincense and myrrh. But being warned by revelation in a dream not to return to Herod, they returned to their own country by another route.
The story is very interesting because it presents many issues that would be very long to analyze in a journalistic article, but we are going to highlight two. The first is that the religion that the magicians practiced was presumed to be Zoroastrianism and that they came from Persia. And the second is that nowhere in the text do they say that they converted to the faith of Mary and Joseph, but rather that “After worshiping him, they returned to their land by another path…”.
Beyond its religious meaning, Epiphany is a day full of symbolism, traditions and deep cultural roots, especially in Spain and Latin America, where the celebration takes on particular nuances. In this note we will explain the history of the Three Wise Men, the meaning of the Epiphany and the customs that make this holiday a special moment in countries like Spain and Argentina.
The figure of the Three Wise Men has its origin in the Bible, where it is mentioned some wise men or wise men from the East who, guided by a star, came to Bethlehem to worship the newborn Jesus. Although their names and exact number are not specified, Christian tradition identifies them as Melchior, Gaspar and Baltasarthree kings representing Europe, Asia and Africa, symbolizing the universality of the message of Christ. Of course, when the gospels were written, it was not known that the American continent existed.
Each of them brought gifts loaded with meaning: gold, as a symbol of royalty, incense, representing divinity, and myrrh, a harbinger of the suffering and death of Jesus. This narrative reinforces the message that Christ He is recognized as the Savior by all peoples, regardless of their origin. After this episode, the gospels only talk about the wise men from the East. So that lack in writing is made up for by the tradition that developed stories around them. According to a medieval legend, the Three Wise Men were baptized by the apostle Thomas in the East and, after a life dedicated to spreading the Christian message, They died in peace.
Popular belief about the remains of the Three Wise Men focuses on their transfer to Europe. According to tradition, her relics were discovered by Saint Helena, mother of Emperor Constantine, during her pilgrimage to the Holy Land in the 4th century. Saint Helena would have taken the remains to Constantinople. Later, during the 6th century, these relics were transferred to Milan, Italy, by order of Bishop Saint Eustorgio, who built a church to house them. The fate of the remains changed dramatically in the 12th century, when the Holy Roman Emperor Frederick Barbarossa conquered Milan and ordered the relics to be taken to Cologne, Germany. There, they were deposited in the imposing Gothic cathedral of Cologne, where they remain to this day in an impressive reliquary known as the Reliquary of the Three Wise Men. At present, the Church of Milan received from that of Cologne some fragments of the remains of the Magi, which Barbarossa took, as historical compensation
That reliquary, considered a masterpiece of medieval art, is a gold chest decorated with precious stones, which attracts thousands of pilgrims and tourists every year. Although the authenticity of these relics has been questioned by historians and scholars, the symbolic importance of the Three Wise Men transcends their possible historical existence. They represent the universality of the Christian messagesince they came from different cultures and regions of the ancient world.
Cologne Cathedral has preserved the relics with great devotion. During World War II, the cathedral suffered severe damage, but the reliquary miraculously survived. Today, it remains one of the greatest religious and tourist attractions in Germany. The death of the Three Wise Men is shrouded in mystery, like many aspects of their history. However, tradition has kept his memory alive, and his supposed remains, kept in the Cologne Cathedral, are a tangible symbol of his legacy in the Christian faith. While the veracity of these relics may be debated, their cultural and religious impact is undeniable.
But his death did not indicate the end of the story, for various reasons, “Three Kings’ Day” became a day of celebrations especially in Spain and is one of the most anticipated moments of the year, especially for children. The day before, on January 5, the traditional Three Kings Parades are celebrated, parades full of color, music and joy, where the Three Wise Men They walk the streets of towns and cities throwing candy and gifts to the public. This tradition has medieval roots and has become a unique show that combines fantasy with religiosity.
On January 6, Spanish families enjoy the traditional Roscón de Reyes, a crown-shaped sweet bread decorated with candied fruits that symbolize the jewels of the kings. Inside are hidden a figure of the baby Jesus and a dried bean. Whoever finds the figure is crowned “king” of the day, while whoever finds the bean must pay for the next year’s roscón. In addition to the gifts that the Kings leave in the children’s shoes, the day is marked for family unity and attendance at masswhere the spiritual meaning of the Epiphany is remembered.
In Argentina, the Three Wise Men festival has a special character, mixing European traditions with elements of Creole culture. The children write letters to the Three Wise Men asking for gifts and leave them, along with their shoes, in a visible place in the house on the night of January 5. As a sign of hospitality, it is common add water and grass for the Kings’ camels, a gesture that reflects the value of generosity.
The dawn of January 6 is full of emotion. The children wake up to discover the gifts left by Melchior, Gaspar and Baltasar, and that the container with water is empty and the camels ate all the grass, it is a moment that reinforces the magic of childhood and the importance of faith. Although on Three Kings Day I It is not a national holiday (it was before the last military dictatorship), many families take advantage of the occasion to meet, share meals and celebrate as a community. In some regions of Argentina, such as in the north of the country, festivities include popular celebrations and performances of the arrival of the Three Wise Men, mixing religious and cultural elements that highlight the diversity of the country. The “roscón de Reyes” is called “rosca de Reyes” just like in Peru and it is eaten only that day.
These traditions are shared throughout Latin America, such as Mexico, Puerto Rico and Peru, where local traditions enrich the festivity. The common thread is the importance of the Three Wise Men as a symbol of faith, hope and unity.
In Mexico, for example, Three Kings’ Day is marked by the arrival of the “Three Kings” in parades similar to the Spanish parades, in addition to the emblematic roscón, known there as “rosca de Reyes.” In Puerto Rico, children leave grass and water for the camels, while, in Peru, the festival is associated with the worship of the Kings in Andean communities, where celebrations include traditional music and dance.
Beyond popular traditions, Epiphany has a deep spiritual meaning. The word “epiphany” comes from Greek. “epiphany”which means “manifestation” or “appearance”. In the Christian context, the holiday celebrates the revelation of Christ as the Savior not only of the Jews, but of all humanity. The star that guides the Three Wise Men symbolizes the light of Christ that illuminates the path towards truth and redemption. This message of universality and hope remains valid, inviting people to reflect on love and solidarity as essential values.
The figure of the Three Wise Men has transcended the religious sphere to become a symbol of popular culture. Its presence is reflected in songs, plays, films and children’s narratives that feed the imagination of children. Furthermore, the gift tradition strengthens the spirit of sharing and gratitude, values that transcend cultural and geographical barriers. In many homes, the Three Wise Men festival marks the end of the Christmas season, a time to take down the tree and decorationsbut also to renew the purposes of love and family unity that these dates inspire.
The feast of the Epiphany of the Lord and the celebration of the Three Wise Men are much more than a religious tradition: they are a bridge between spirituality and culture, a reminder of the values of faith, hope and generosity. Both in Spain and Latin America, these festivities unite communities around an ancient history that is still valid, adapting and enriching local customs. Thus, January 6 not only celebrates the visit of the Three Wise Men, but also the ability of each of us to be bearers of light and hope in our communities.
