Three Kings Day?

Question

I am wondering exactly what "Three Kings Day" really is.

What is it exactly? I googled it, but I still want to know more=)

Answer 1

I am a bit surprised by the answers. In the Latin American countries where I have been "Los Reyes Magos", "el día De Reyes", "the Three Wise Men" are still important characters, and it is still an important celebration. I thought that at least one of the members who usually take the time to explain religious history or theological principles would feel compelled to give an opinion.

A number of the answers provide links where a great deal of information can be found, so I'll just give a quick description based on my own experience in Latin America.

CDowis already wrote what the day essentially celebrates. Much has been written and speculated about who these three wise men (no, they were not magicians) really were. The relevant bit is that they were very important, they believed that this new born baby was indeed the Messiah, and they brought highly symbolic gifts for baby Jesus.

Now, most places nowadays we are used to having a gift exchange either on Christmas eve or Christmas day. Depending on where you are and what your family traditions are, the gifts may be brought by Santa Claus, Saint Nicholas, Father Christmas, or Baby Jesus. There are a number of reasons and explanations for this, which are not relevant right now.

The thing is, in many of the places that are the product of the Hispanic conquest, originally the gifts were brought, as biblical history tells, by Los Reyes Magos. So you used to get gifts on Día de Reyes, rather than on Christmas day. Where I grew up that tradition was largely lost by the time I was a kid. In my own family, however, we took to reviving the tradition - sort of - by hanging large socks by our beds, so that Los Reyes can bring us small gifts on Día de Reyes. (We also get presents on Christmas Day!)

Even if the tradition has been largely lost, in much of Latin America Día de Reyes is still a holiday, and it marks the end of the Christmas season.

 

Answer 2

Did you say that you are of Puerto Rican descent? If so, this is a very important tradition in your cultural roots. I'm sure your mom should have a few good things to say about this.

I am curious, though: why are you thinking of this just now?

I don't know lol. I was reading about Puerto Rican culture because I was making a scrap book of different Spanish countries and traditions (i like to make books) and I was going to add this in there. and i am curious about the culture. - princessjane, May 25, 2010

my mom says that she does not know a lot about it - princessjane, May 25, 2010

Hm. I'll keep an eye on this post. I'll see what people post. It is a big, important tradition in Hispanic countries, but that may be a different tale thant how it originated, and what it means from the point of view of religion and history. - Gekkosan, May 25, 2010

Answer 3

After New Year's Day, Mexican families still have a very special date to commemorate and enjoy. On January 6, most of the Hispanic world celebrates El Dia De Reyes, the Epiphany, remembering the day when the Three Wise Men following the star to Bethlehem, arrived bearing their treasured gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh for the Baby Jesus.
http://www.inside-mexico.com/featurereyes.htm

Answer 4

Are you talking about the day of the reyes magos???

Answer 5

The feast of the Epiphany (the showing forth), now mostly neglected used to signal the end of the protracted Christmas celebrations when decorations were removed until the next year. So in England this is the last day of the "Twelve Days of Christmas" as in the carol/song

"On the first day of Christmas my truelove sent to me A partridge in a pear tree"

and so on for the twelve days.

Answer 6

Here is a website that talks about Three Kings Day around the world: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epiphany_(holiday)

I hope this is helpful...it also lists other references for more information...

Answer 7

La Cabalgata de Reyes en Madrid on the evening of January 5th is amazing, thousands of people go to Gran Via to see the Reyes Magos before they set to work and spread the presents all over the country.

Answer 8

Let you have a trip to Mexico when it is time of "Three Kings Day"

Answer 9

Hello,

Maybe you can look under "día de los reyes magos". You might get more hits by doing it in Spanish.

Answer 10

We don't know which articles you read. They have several articles about P. R. specifically, but they don't say much. Check out a more detailed article concerning Epiphany in general.

Biblical Magi

Answer 11

All I know is that it is a day when the kings brought presents for the children.

Do you know which kings, and which children? - Gekkosan, May 25, 2010

no - princessjane, May 25, 2010