Many countries celebrate January 6th as Three King’s Day, celebrating the day Melchor, Gaspar, and Balthazar visited Jesus as a child bringing gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
1. In Spain, the Philippines, and certain parts of Latin America, El Día de los Reyes (The Day of the Kings) is celebrated with children leaving shoes out overnight to collect gifts from the Kings. Sweets, drinks, and hay are left out as gifts for the Kings and their camels.
2. In the Netherlands and Belgium, the day is known as Drie koningen (Three King’s Day). Three children dress in costume to represent the three kings and visit houses singing songs, receiving sweets or coins from each door.
3. In Germany, children go from house to house on Epiphany eve, singing carols and chalking the year and initials KMB (those of the kings, Kaspar, Melchior and Balthasar), near the entrance of each home to bless the family for the New Year.
4. In Mexico, families go to the Alameda, in Mexico City, a beautiful park that dates back to the Colonial era. There hundreds of stands are placed with food, toys and sets, where the children can have their picture taken with the Three Kings of the Orient. Hundreds of multicolored balloons, filled with helium, are sold during the season, so the little ones can attach their letters to them, and have them fly, up to the sky, carrying all their wishes to the Kings with them. If they forgot their letters at home, there is no need to worry, there are also salesmen that offer writing paper and envelopes specially designed for the occasion and addressed to the Reyes Magos.
5. Several countries – most notably Italy and Russia – also share the long-held tradition of La Befana, (in Russia, Baboushka) the kindly old witch who makes her annual visit bringing presents by climbing down the chimney on the night of January 5.
Many countries celebrate with a special cake, with a small doll of Jesus baked inside. The finder of the doll always has a task. What is this task?
This special cake has many names depending where you live. Where are these cakes from?
1. Dreikonigskuchen
2. Ciasto Trzech Kroli
3. Rosca de Reyes
A special cake known as Rosca de Reyes is made with a small doll of Jesus baked inside—depending on the country, the finder of the doll must pay for the cake, host a party later in the year, or simply serves as king for the day.
Dreikonigskuchen – Germany
Ciasto Trzech Kroli -Poland
Rosca de Reyes – Mexico and some parts of Spain
