Three Kings Day Traditions and Celebrations Around the World (2024)

Origins and Significance of Three Kings Day

Three Kings Day, also known as Epiphany, is a Christian feast day that celebrates the revelation of God incarnate as Jesus Christ.

It specifically commemorates the visit of the Magi to the Christ Child and marks the physical manifestation of Jesus to the Gentiles.

Biblical Account and the Magi

According to the Gospel of Matthew, the Magi, also referred to as the Wise Men or Three Kings, followed a star to Bethlehem to pay homage to the newborn Jesus.

These individuals, believed to be learned astrologers, sought out the Christ Child to present him with symbolic gifts.

Their journey is an integral moment in Christian theology, as it represents the acknowledgment of Jesus’ divinity from wise and noble persons beyond the Jewish tradition.

Symbolism of Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh

The gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh offered by the Magi carry profound religious symbolism.

Gold, a precious metal, is associated with kings and acknowledges Jesus’ royal standing.

Frankincense, a perfume used in Jewish worship, signifies Jesus’ priestly role, and myrrh, a burial ointment, is suggestive of Jesus’ mortality and his impending suffering and death.

These gifts are revered not only for their monetary value but also for their representation of Jesus’ identity and the foretelling of his life’s purpose.

Global Celebrations and Customs

Three Kings Day, also known as Epiphany, is celebrated around the world in various forms, from the traditional gift-giving in Latin America to unique local customs in Europe and elsewhere.

Each region adds its own cultural flair to the observance of this holiday, which marks the end of the Christmas season and the revelation of Christ’s birth to the Magi.

Latin America and Spain

In Latin America and Spain, Three Kings Day is known as “Día de los Reyes” and holds great cultural significance with traditions deeply rooted in the Christian faith and cultural identity.

On January 6, children typically leave their shoes out the night before, filled with grass or hay for the Kings’ camels, hoping to find them replaced with gifts in the morning.

A key culinary tradition is the “Rosca de Reyes,” a wreath-shaped cake with a hidden figurine of baby Jesus inside; the person who finds it is said to be blessed with good luck and is responsible for hosting a party on Candlemas, celebrated on February 2nd.

• Mexico: Parades are prevalent, where children receive toys and gifts in a manner similar to how they would from Santa Claus on Christmas Eve.
• Puerto Rico: The holiday is an extended celebration, where festivities include music, dancing, and a mass to honor the biblical journey of the Magi.
• Spain: Here, the arrival of the Three Kings is often reenacted with great pageantry, and parades in cities like Madrid are a major event during the holiday.

Traditions in Other Countries

Beyond Latin America and Spain, Three Kings Day is observed with diverse customs that highlight the cultural uniqueness of the holiday.

• France: The celebration of Epiphany involves sharing a “galette des rois,” or king cake, with a trinket hidden inside, similar to the Latin American tradition.
• Poland: On January 6, the day is marked by the sharing of a special blessed chalk with which people write the initials of the Three Kings above their doors to bring good luck for the new year.
• Greece and Bulgaria: Epiphany is also associated with the blessing of the waters, where a cross is thrown into the water by a priest and retrieved by swimmers, symbolizing the baptism of Christ and bringing good health.

Modern Day Observance and Practices

While traditional customs continue, modern observances of Three Kings Day adapt to current cultures and societies.

• United States: The holiday has gained visibility as various Latin American communities have brought their vibrant customs to American culture, such as parades and “posadas” during the Christmas season.
• Orthodox Christians: Many Eastern Orthodox Christians celebrate Epiphany on January 19 due to the use of the Julian calendar, with the Blessing of the Waters being a central tradition, particularly in countries like Greece.
• Rome and Vatican City: Three Kings Day remains an essential feast in the Roman Catholic calendar with a papal mass, signifying the unity of different Christian denominations including Lutherans and Anglicans in observing this significant event in Christ’s story.

Discover these traditions in more details.

Learn about the various global festivities.

Read about the customs in different countries.