https://thecostaricanews.com/3-kings-day-not-tradition-costa-rica/
Barron and I were introduced to the concept of Epiphany two years ago when this talented artist and wonderful mom at: https://greenurbancreative.shop/products/a-liturgy-of-seasons-epiphany?_pos=1&_sid=41736089e&_ss=r who created a product and shared a wonderful chapter of it. Barron and I were intrigued and since then have tried to learn and participate in the events. We would like to share our knowledge we have learnt about this interesting festivity.
Epiphany is mainly a holiday celebrated on January 6th in Spain. It is called the Fiesta de Los tres Reyes Magos which means the festival of the three Magic Kings. Epiphany celebrates when the Wise men/Kings brought gifts to the baby Jesus. Who exactly are these 3 Kings? "The Three Kings in the Spanish Epiphany are: Gaspar, who has brown hair and a brown beard (or no beard!) and wears a green cloak and a gold crown with green jewels on it. He is the King of Sheba. Gaspar represents the Frankincense brought to Jesus. Frankincense is sometimes used in worship in Churches and showed that people worship Jesus. Melchior, who has long white hair and a white beard and wears a gold cloak. He is the King of Arabia. Melchior represents the Gold brought to Jesus. Gold is associated with Kings and Christians believe that Jesus is the King of Kings. Balthazar, who has black skin and a black beard (or no beard!) and wears a purple cloak. He is the King of Tarsus/Macedonia and Egypt. Balthazar represents the gift of Myrrh that was brought to Jesus. Myrrh is a perfume that is put on dead bodies to make them smell nice; Christians believe that it showed that Jesus would suffer and die." Source: https://www.whychristmas.com/cultures/spain
In Spain some presents are given on our Christmas day (Dec 25) to the children however most are opened on Epiphany, the Children believe that the Kings bring them the presents on this day. They write letters to the Kings asking for toys and presents and on January 5th (the eve of Epiphany) they leave shoes on windowsills/balconies/under the Christmas tree where presents are placed inside of them. The children leave gifts for the kings such as a glass of Cognac for each King, a satsuma and some walnuts, some even leave a bucket of water for the camels. A satsuma is like a mandarin/clementine orange. If the Kings believed the child to be misbehaved then pieces of coal made out of sugar is given.
Epiphany is also celebrated with Parades where each King has a gloat that is shaped like a camel or even real camels are in the parade. The Kings (Wise Men) throw candy to the children watching the parade. 'Roscón' is enjoyed on this day which is a sing shaped rolled cake filled with cream or chocolate and a little gift. This neat cake is often bought fresh from bakeries. Interestingly in Mexico on this day there is a special cake that is purchased called Rosca de Reyes or Three Kings Bread. It is an oval shaped cake made with orange blossom water/orange zest and is topped with fruits, jams, and a sugary paste. We found a neat article that shares, "The history of the Three Kings Bread dates back to Ancient Rome, around the year 217 B.C when they celebrated the Saturnals, festivities in honor of Saturn, the god of agriculture. They began on the 17th and extended until December 23rd as gratitude for the crops and also the beginning of the winter solstice. The Romans made gifts and prepared rounded bread, where they mixed figs, dates, and honey inside the dough. During the aristocracy of France, they fancied sharing, and on the feast of the Epiphany, a bread very similar to the current Three Kings Bread, named Gateau de Roi where a dried bean was placed in the dough was relished. The lucky person who received the piece of bread with the bean was named The King of the Bean, and throughout the day they were the host of a prominent party where they drank and ate in abundance. Pastry chef of Louis XV, named king at the young age of 5, prepared a Gateau de Roi, however, he replaced the bean with a gold medallion, hence the tradition of hiding a prize in this bread was extended, although the medallion wasn’t made of real gold. Currently, stemmed from Catholicism brought by the Spanish, the Three Kings Bread has become a symbol in which the story of Joseph and Mary who lived to protect Jesus from King Herod is displayed, and it is why a plastic figure is placed inside the bread. The Three Wise Men traveled to deliver gifts to the messiah and managed to arrive on January 6th guided by the star of Bethlehem. On this day children are presented with gifts as families gather to savor the delicious bread paired with a pleasant cup of hot chocolate. The lucky person to receive a piece of bread with a baby Jesus will be the godparent who has to take it to church and organize a celebration with savory tamales on February 2nd, known as Candlemas." Source: https://magazine.velasresorts.com/mexico/the-story-behind-a-mexican-tradition-three-kings-bread/
Barron and I were a little late on some activities inspired from: https://wunder-mom.com/15-ways-celebrate-epiphany-children/#:~:text=Epiphany%20Activities%20for%20Kids%201%20Make%20Three%20Kings,Cookies%206%20And%20of%20course%2C%20Kings%20Crowns%21%20
Whichever you chose to celebrate, or which cake you chose to share we wish you a delightful
feliz Epifanía!
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