The Christmas story is full of charming customs and traditions, in which the most endearing characters appear. From the famous Santa Claus to the nativity scenes with the Virgin Mary, Saint Joseph and the Child Jesus, they adorn the December holidays around the world. But in some regions other characters are added to fill the celebrations with magic. Christmas in Spain and in other European and Latin American countries also includes the story of the Three Wise Men. This charming legend, in which Melchor, Gaspar and Baltasar cross long paths to pay homage to the Child Jesus with presents, is celebrated with joy by young and old alike.. Today in Supercurioso we wanted to delve into the origin of the Three Wise Men. Can you come with us?
The Origin of the Magi, an ancient tradition
Every night from the 5th of January, the children of all the countries in which this tradition is kept alive, look forward to the arrival of the Kings. By dawn on January 6th, you will have been blessed with the gifts you asked for in your traditional letters. The history of the Magi is marked by the celebration of their feast: the Epiphany, a word that in Greek means manifestation, in the sense that God reveals himself to men. The word Magos is associated in antiquity with wise men or astrologerswho know the language of the stars.
The origin of the Magi refers to three men who came from the East or the Orient, so it is believed that they could have been Kings of Arabia, Mesopotamia or eastern Palestine. There are few clear references in The Bible about these characters. However, in the Gospel of Matthew we find an interesting section:
«Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the time of King Herod, some wise men who came from the East appeared in Jerusalem, saying: “Where is the King of the Jews who has been born? For we have seen his star in the East and have come to worship him.
It is believed that Herod stopped the kings on the way, to ask them to turn back their steps when they found the child to warn him, since he also wanted to present his honors. In time an angel came to warn the monarchs that Herod’s intention was none other than to kill the little boy. Those who have studied the history of the Magi affirm that the fact that they were guided by a star implied that they were men educated in astrology or the sciences of navigation, as well as in the calculation of time by means of stellar configurations.
1. When do the names of the Kings appear?
Although the origin of the Magi can be traced back to the Holy Scriptures, the reality is that It was in the Middle Ages when the construction of the tradition that is maintained until today began. It was in the renowned sixth-century mosaic in the Basilica of Saint Apollinaris the New in the city of Ravenna, in Italy, when the names of Melchor, Gaspar and Baltasar first appeared. The so-called Apocryphal Gospels, those that were never officially accepted by the Catholic Church, also contain many stories about the life and work of these three kings.
Among the legends associated with them is the fact that invoking them could protect against epilepsy and even cure it. It was only necessary to say a prayer with the name of the Kings in the ear of the patient, so that he would recover his health.
It was also a tradition, some centuries ago, that in some parts of Europe believers write the initials MGB at the doors of their houses. This was believed to invoke magicians, protecting people and animals against demon attacks, witches and evil spirits.
2. The story of the Three Kings: their symbols and gifts
The most significant fact that stands out in the legend of the Magi is that they were following the star of Bethlehem, to present their gifts and honors to the Child Jesus. But each gift, together with each king, has a particular symbology. Melchor came loaded with gold, which symbolizes the realization of Christ, the perfect metal that does not alter or corrupt, the maximum symbol of purity. This King is represented as an old man with white skin, with long beards. He is associated with people who come from the European continent, and is also linked to the last stage of man’s life, old age.
For his part, Gaspar wears a brown or red beard, and represents the people from the Asian zone. He is loaded with incense, which he offers as a symbol of Jesus’ divinity. This is the sum of aromatic vegetable resins and essential oils, which when burned give off scented smoke. In addition to being a common gift for kings at that time, its symbology implied a purification and expansion of consciousness, beyond the events of daily life. Gaspar is associated with maturity in human life.
Finally, in the story of the Magi, we find the one that symbolizes youth, King Baltasar, with black skin, representing the natives of the African continent. He comes loaded with myrrh, a resin obtained from a tree from Northeast Africa, Arabia and Turkey. Although it has medicinal properties, myrrh was characterized by being used as an ointment to embalm corpses. It is a gift that represents humanity, and therefore the Lord’s mortality.
Interesting in the history of the Three Kings, is the legend that is associated with their tombs. It is believed that after the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the apostle Thomas found the kings in the Saba region, where they were baptized and appointed bishops. In the year 70 they would have been captured, martyred and deposited their bodies together, in the same sarcophagus. It was Santa Elena who later took the remains to Constantinople. From there, in the 12th century, Federico I Barbarossa moved them to Cologne, whose Cathedral, where the mortal remains of the Three Kings supposedly rest, became a point of pilgrimage and worship.
3. The tradition of the Magi today
Although the origin of the Three Wise Men is very old, it is one of the traditions that has become most deeply rooted in popular customs. Every January 5, adults and children welcome the Three Kings Parade with joy, in which they parade in marvelous floats, distributing candies and collecting the letters of the smallest of the home. Another tradition that is maintained in homes is to leave the shoes of each family member on the balcony or door of the home, so that the Kings can leave sweets inside.
The gifts of the Three Kings for the little ones are not a universal requirement. It is a tradition that only children who have behaved well receive gifts every January 6th. Those who have behaved badly receive only a piece of coal. It is also necessary, among the details of the customs and history of the Magi, to leave water and bread so that the camels recover energy from their long pilgrimage. And for Melchor, Gaspar and Baltasar, they usually leave a glass of liquor, a glass of milk or nougat, as a way of entertaining them.
The origin of the Magi, their curiosities and legends, are undoubtedly among the most beautiful christmas talesd, which will continue to pass from generation to generation, filling the holiday season with illusion. With this we say goodbye, but not before leaving you these phrases for 2023.