Three Kings Day, also recognized as the celebration of Epiphany, transcends borders to explore diverse celebrations deeply rooted in history and culture. In this comprehensive guide, we'll uncover some of the origins, distinctive traditions, and lively festivities that characterize Three Kings Day across Latin America and Europe.
Join us as we delve into this vibrant and culturally significant celebration and shed light on its historical roots and global significance.
Record Your Three Kings Day Memories with Family Search
The Origins and Significance of Three Kings Day
On January 6, Three Kings Day commemorates the biblical journey of the magi— also known as the 3 wise men—to visit the infant Jesus. They presented gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
At the time, these gifts were meant for royalty and were incredibly expensive. Theysymbolized the importance of the birth of Christ and emphasized the divine nature of the newborn.
What Is Three Kings Day?
Three Kings Day is also known as Día de los Reyes in Spanish, directly translating to “Day of the Kings.” The name is commonly shortened to Día de Reyes. Three Kings Day is the religious commemoration of the day when the 3 wise men—often referred to by name as Melchior, Caspar, and Balthazar—arrived with gifts for baby Jesus.
Beyond its religious origins, Three Kings Day is an exciting cultural celebration that blends the reverence of honoring the Christ child and the joy of the first Christmas. People unite to honor the wise men, also known as magi, and their journey. Families will engage in various customs that make this day truly unique, such as exchanging gifts and savoring special foods.
This celebration intertwines religious customs of the Biblical Christmas story with festive traditions, creating a meaningful occasion for families and friends. In essence, Three Kings Day transcends borders and enriches communities worldwide.
When Is Three Kings Day?
While some may bid farewell to the Christmas season at the end of Christmas on December 25, for others, it continues for an additional 11 days. This is contrary to the conventional understanding of the "12 Days of Christmas" song where there are 12 days leading up to Christmas. Instead, 12 days are counted, starting on Christmas Day and culminating on January 6, which is better known as Three Kings Day or Epiphany.
What Is Epiphany?
The term "Epiphany" originates from the Greek "epiphaneia.” It means "appearance" or "manifestation," expressing how Jesus Christ was revealed to the world. The holiday is also referred to as the Feast of Epiphany, Theophany, or Three Kings Day.
When Is Epiphany?
Epiphany is observed on January 6 by Roman Catholics, Lutherans, Anglicans, and Christians of other Western traditions. Western traditions celebrate Epiphany on January 6 and focus on the magi's visit to the baby Jesus, which is seen as the first manifestation of Christ as the Savior of both Gentiles and Jews.
This day is also known as Theophany in Eastern traditions and for those believers commemorates how Christ became both fully human and fully divine at His baptism.
Unlike Three Kings Day, which always falls on January 6, Eastern traditions follow the Julian calendar, celebrating Epiphany on January 19, a day marking Jesus' baptism.
Baptism is common during Epiphany, and houses may be blessed with holy water. Orthodox Christians participate in a church ceremony during Theophany where a priest consecrates water and blesses the congregation.
Families bring the holy water home in order to sanctify their homes throughout the entire year. This tradition is rooted in the belief that all water becomes sacred during Theophany.
Latin American Celebrations of Three Kings Day
In Latin America, Three Kings Day (Día de Reyes) is a kaleidoscope of colors, music, and flavors. Each country has its own cultural traditions and festivities to celebrate the day with family and friends.
Mexico
In Mexico, the celebration of Three Kings Day is marked by delightful traditions that add joy and meaning to the occasion. On January 5, children across the country eagerly leave out their shoes, anticipating the arrival of goodies and small gifts left by the three wise men.
As part of the Three Kings Day Mexico tradition, families gather to share the rosca de reyes, a sweet bread with hidden figurines inside. It is believed that whoever finds the figurine is bestowed with good luck!
It is also tradition that whoever discovers the baby figurine must extend an invitation to those present for a meal of tamales on February 2, known as Candlemas Day. This day holds significance as it celebrates the Virgin Mary.
Three Kings Day in Mexican communities also features lively street performances featuring traditional dances and music. Special meals, including the beloved tamales and hot chocolate, become a cherished part of the celebration, bringing families together to enjoy the richness of their cultural traditions.
Puerto Rico
Leading up to the eve of January 5, children in Puerto Rico eagerly prepare for the arrival of the magi by filling boxes with grass or hay to offer to the camels and horses that the magi ride. They then place the box under their beds, a thoughtful gesture intended to prompt the magi to leave generous presents.
The culmination of Three Kings Day is met with excitement as children wake up to discover small gifts or candy left in the boxes underneath their beds, a delightful reward for their good behavior.
On the flip side, those who may have been a bit naughty might find charcoal or dirt in their boxes.
The importance of Los Reyes also holds a significant place in Puerto Rican art. Local artisans craft tallados (carvings) from wood and create ceramic representations of the three kings, portraying the magi as they are uniquely envisioned in Puerto Rican culture.
Puerto Rico even has a dedicated museum to the three kings: the Museo de los Tres Santos Reyes. This museum stands as a testament to the cultural significance of these revered figures and the holiday.
Friends and families come together for parrandas, which are lively gatherings involving singing and playing traditional Puerto Rican music as they move through the neighborhood. The festivities include stops at neighboring homes for shared celebrations, food, snacks, and sips of coquito, a coconut-based holiday drink infused with rum.
The day unfolds with parades, festivals, and joyous celebrations, bringing families together to feast on traditional holiday dishes and create lasting memories.
Argentina
In Argentina, children observe Three Kings Day by leaving their shoes out filled with grass and snacks for the magi’s camels, along with leaving water. These shoes are left either under the Christmas tree or by the door on the Night of Kings (Noche de Reyes), January 5). Following Argentina's Catholic tradition, children also write letters to the three wise men, listing their wishes.
In smaller towns and in the countryside, festivities may include the Cabalgata de los Reyes, a parade of kings. This procession includes the giving of toys and candy to children.
Argentina, like other Latin American countries, celebrates with a Rosca de Reyes Magos. The Argentinian version of this moist and delicious ring-shaped cake symbolizes the crowns of the three kings and the infinite love of God.
Often topped with custard, eggs, candied fruit, and sugar, families personalize the cake with various ingredients such as lemon zest, rum, chocolate chips, dates, cinnamon, or cherries.
Another popular treat in Argentina is the braided king cake (Rosca de Reyes Trenzada), which resembles a crown and is adorned with colorful candied cherries, almond slices, or powdered sugar.
Bolivia
In Bolivia, Three Kings Day is characterized by the close-knit bond among families, rather than gift exchanges. Families attend Mass, bringing cribs, mangers, and figurines of the baby Jesus for blessings, and foster a sense of community within the church.
Following the ceremony, families come together at the church's entrance to engage in the tradition of exchanging figurines and ornaments, creating a collective celebration that strengthens connections and traditions within the Bolivian community.
Guatemala
Guatemalan traditions surrounding Three Kings Day begin with La Quema del Diablo (the burn of the devil) on December 7, preparing for the Día de la Inmaculada Concepción on December 8, which celebrates the Virgin Mary.
Nativities with figurines representing characters from the Christmas story are set up in family homes and churches. The cradle in these nativities remains empty until December 24, when, at midnight, the figurine of baby Jesus is placed to mark his birth.
On December 31, the figurine of baby Jesus is dressed ornately. On January 6, families place the three wise men in the Nativity scene to celebrate their arrival. The entire nativity is removed on February 2 to commemorate the day baby Jesus was presented in the temple of Jerusalem.
These changes coincide with a series of festive traditions that highlight the rich cultural tapestry of Guatemala.
European Traditions for Three Kings Day
In Europe, Three Kings Day is celebrated with a unique blend of regional customs meant to bring joy to adults and children alike.
France
In France, the festivities include the delightful Galette des Rois, a "kings' cake" traditionally shared among loved ones. Bakers craft this delectable treat, often hiding a coin, jewel, or small toy within it, which adds an element of surprise to the celebration.
Spain
Spain welcomes the three wise men with vibrant parades before the actual celebration. The Three Kings Festival, or the Cabalgata de Reyes, is celebrated over 2 days on January 5 and 6. It is marked by colorful street parades, and a display of illuminated costumes.
The Cabalgata de Reyes features majestic floats carrying effigies of Melchior, Caspar, and Balthazar, respectively representing Arabia, the Orient, and Africa as different areas of the world coming to worship the Christ child. Members of the local council often play real-life versions of the wise men, throwing handfuls of sweets to the spectators as they pass through major streets.
Children also eagerly participate in the holiday by leaving their shoes outside their rooms or doors, along with water for the camels, on the night of January 5, anticipating gifts the next morning.
Similar to Mexico, Spain indulges in a Rosca, known as Roscón. In Spain, whoever discovers the figurine of baby Jesus is entrusted with the responsibility of buying or making the following year's kings' cake. Additionally, a special lottery, known as the lottery of the baby or Lotería del Niño, is held on January 6 across the country.
Epiphany Celebrations around the World
In many countries, Epiphany is celebrated with special pastries, and children often receive small gifts in their shoes in honor of the magi’s gifts to the baby Jesus.
Ethiopia
In Ethiopia, Epiphany is known as Timkat, and Ethiopians follow the Eastern traditions of the holiday. It is a sacred celebration marked by processions where people carry replicas of the ark of the covenant (also known as a tabot) to rivers. symbolizing a reenactment of Jesus' baptism.
Ethiopian Orthodox Christians celebrate Timkat with a festival that starts on January 18 called Ketera, which involves a night of prayer and hymn services. Participants help escort a tabot to the nearest body of water. The next morning, the tabot is brought back to the church, and the congregation is blessed with holy water.
Greece
The Great Blessing of Waters is a special Epiphany event that happens in Greece.
Priests throw a cross into the sea, and brave swimmers dive in with hopes to retrieve it faster than other contestants to win a blessing of good luck for the rest of the year.
The Great Blessing of Waters is an occasion to remember the baptism of Christ and the presence of the Holy Trinity.
It also affirms that the world is sanctified through the Savior. After the blessing, Holy Water is distributed to families to bless their homes during the Epiphany season.
Austria and Germany
In Austria, Germany, and throughout Europe, people participate in an Epiphany tradition known as “chalking the door.” Families make a special sign in chalk over their front door at Epiphany, a tradition symbolizing protection for the house.
The markings on the sign represent the current year split in 2 with the initials of the names given to the 3 kings—Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar—in the middle. This year’s markings would be 20*C*M*B*24. The initials C, M, and B also stand for the phrase Christus mansionem benediciat, which is Latin for the phrase "may Christ bless this dwelling."
Belgium, Poland, and Portugal
In Belgium, children dress up as the 3 wise men on Epiphany. They go from door to door to sing songs, while people give them money or sweets, similar to trick or treating on Halloween in the United States. Children in Poland also go out singing on Epiphany.
In Portugal, Epiphany carol singing, known as "Janeiras," takes place. On the Island of Madeira, caroling is also known as "Cantar os Reis" (singing the kings).
Russia
In Russia, on January 19, individuals venture to take frigid dips in lakes. People view this act as a symbolic act to cleanse themselves of sins, like Jesus cleansed Himself at baptism. Tradition dictates that you must dip below the water’s surface 3 times to symbolize the Holy Trinity.
Ireland
Epiphany is known as "Nollaig na mBean" or Women's Christmas in Ireland. This tradition grants women a day off, during which men take on household responsibilities, including housework and cooking. Many Irish women come together on the Sunday closest to Epiphany to enjoy a gathering with tea and cakes.
Italy
In Italy, children receive presents on Epiphany brought by an old lady called La Befana. La Befana is said to have sheltered the magi on their way to Bethlehem, and then joined them in their search for the baby Jesus.
La Befana brings gifts to well-behaved children and coal to the naughty ones, filling stockings placed by the fireplace. Some parents put small sugar-made coal inside their children's stockings to tease them.
Preserve Your Three Kings Day and Epiphany Memories with FamilySearch!
Three Kings Day emerges as a celebration that weaves together a rich tapestry of cultural diversity. As we immerse ourselves in the festivities, let us appreciate the global reach and unique expressions of joy that define this holiday.
As you commemorate Three Kings Day or Epiphany this year, take a moment to document your family's traditions and memories on FamilySearch.
Use FamilySearch's free Memories feature to create a digital repository of your unique celebrations, ensuring that the essence of Three Kings Day lives on for future generations. Preserving these cherished family traditions is essential, as you'll be ensuring that these rich moments of laughter, joy, and unique family customs endure.
Share Your Three Kings Day Memories on FamilySearch!
At FamilySearch we care about connecting you with your family, and we provide fun discovery experiences and family history services for free. Why? Because we cherish families and believe that connecting generations can improve our lives now and forever. We are a nonprofit organization sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.To learn more about our beliefs, click here.
