The Three Wise Men (or The Three Kings)

The Feast of the Epiphany (or The Three Kings’ Day) is a religious holiday. On this day, Christians around the world celebrate the arrival of the Three Wise Men at the stable immediately after the birth of Jesus Christ, guided by the Star of Bethlehem, to worship Him as the new King of the world.

Another name for the holiday of the Three Wise Men is Epiphany or the Manifestation of the Lord. In Austria, it is also known as the 12th Christmas celebration.

In Austria and some Swiss cantons, January 6th is a statutory holiday or day off. Additionally, Three Kings’ Day is a statutory holiday in Sweden, Finland, Italy, Spain, and Argentina. In Uruguay, January 6th is celebrated as Children’s Day (“Día de los niños”).

In many countries, on the occasion of the Feast of the Epiphany, Three Kings’ cakes are baked. These cakes are sweet, yeast-based pastries that form a hexagon around a central piece, with the middle piece being the largest. Mexico City set a good example in 2013 by making a 1.9-kilometer-long Three Kings’ cake. Recipes vary from region to region, but usually, a bean or another small object is hidden in the cake. Whoever finds it while eating becomes the Bean King and can decide what happens for the rest of the day.

Although the tradition was revived in 1952, its origins date back to antiquity, where hidden beans played a significant role. This tradition continues to this day, often replacing beans with coins or figurines.