This special cake is shaped in the form of a ring, representing the crown of each of the three Wise Men.īut the rosca de Reyes is no ordinary cake! Inside each rosca de Reyes is hidden a special surprise: a tiny baby doll representing baby Jesus. In Mexico, the Reyes celebration begins on January 5, or the Twelfth Night of Christmas, during which time local bakeries are flooded with patrons lined up to purchase the traditional ‘rosca de Reyes’ (known in English as a King Cake). The celebration begins on the víspera, or eve of the Three Kings Day, which is the evening of January 5, also known as Twelfth Night, and concludes on the day of January 6, often with a celebratory parade that closes out the Christmas holiday season in Hispanic/Latino culture. While every country adds its own cultural touches to the Día de los Reyes tradition, the basis for the celebration of this holiday is more or less the same everywhere. How is Día de Los Reyes celebrated around the world? To this day, a special blend of incense is still burned in Catholic churches that consists of frankincense and myrrh, in honor of the gifts that the Three Kings brought to baby Jesus. The Kings were named Melchior, Gaspar, and Baltazar, and the gifts they brought to baby Jesus consisted of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Los Reyes Magos – known in English as the Magi, the Three Wise Men, or the Three Kings – were three kings from faraway Eastern kingdoms who banded together and followed the North Star along a journey, across the desert to the tiny town of Bethlehem, to celebrate the birth of baby Jesus. The Three Kings holiday dates back all the way to the 4th century, during which time it became very popular in the Roman province of Hispania, in the region known today as Spain and Portugal.Īs Spanish and Portuguese culture spread across the Atlantic Ocean to the New World, this cultural tradition found its way to Mexico, Central and South America, and the Spanish Caribbean.

This is why in bicultural Hispanic/Latino households that celebrate Christmas, Los Reyes arrive with gifts only a few days after Santa Claus! It is founded upon the Biblical story of three kings who followed the North Star to Bethlehem to bring offerings and gifts to baby Jesus as a celebration of his birth. What is the origin of Los Tres Reyes Magos?Įl Día de los Reyes Magos celebrates what is known in the Catholic religion as the Epiphany. Spanish Activities for Kids to celebrate Los Reyes Magos.How is Día de Los Reyes celebrated around the world?.What is the origin of Los Tres Reyes Magos?.Otras tradiciones del día incluyen reuniones familiares, parrandas y el Roscón (o Rosca) de Reyes, una torta redonda con frutas secas, azúcar en polvo y una figurilla escondida adentro.Įsta obra de arte de madera tallada y pintada, que representa a los Reyes Magos, se encuentra en el Museo de Arte Americano del Smithsonian. Aunque la tradición se remonta a la Europa medieval, donde los Reyes se representaban sobre camellos, las imágenes puertorriqueñas como esta suelen representarlos a caballo.Ĭuando los niños se despiertan en la mañana del 6 de enero, encuentran los regalos que los Reyes Magos les trajeron. Los niños esperan con ansiedad la llegada de los Reyes, dejando paja y un tazón con agua para sus caballos la noche anterior. Una de las tradiciones navideñas que se celebra en España, Puerto Rico y muchos países latinoamericanos es el día de los Reyes Magos, o la Epifanía, en conmemoración de la llegada a Belén de los Tres Reyes Magos (Baltazar, Melchor, y Gaspar) para adorar al Niño Jesús recién nacido. This carved and painted wood artwork, which depicts the three kings, is at the Smithsonian American Art Museum. Other traditions include family gatherings, parades and eating the Roscón (or Rosca) de Reyes, a round cake with dried fruit, powdered sugar and a figurine hidden inside. 6 to find the gifts that the three kings have brought them. Although the tradition began in medieval Europe, where the kings are shown riding camels, Puerto Rican images such as this one generally show them on horses.Ĭhildren awaken Jan.

“Los Reyes Magos,” attributed to Hipolito Marte Martinez, Smithsonian American Art MuseumĪ festive tradition in Spain, Puerto Rico and many Latin American countries, Three Kings Day, or the Feast of the Epiphany, commemorates the arrival of the three kings (Balthazar, Melchior and Gaspar) in Bethlehem to worship the newborn Christ child.Ĭhildren eagerly await their arrival, leaving boxes of hay and bowls of water for the kings’ horses the night before.

Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives, African Art.

Feliz dia de reyes cristiano