Feast of the Magi: Traditions in Italy and Europe

In Italy and across Europe, the Epiphany, or Twelfth Night, is celebrated on 6 January. Here’s how it is observed and why it is also called the Feast of the Magi. 

The 6th of January marks the Twelfth Night after the birth of Jesus. In Italy and other countries, it is also the date when the Befana, the old lady with a hooked nose who rides a broomstick, brings gifts to good children (and coal to those who have misbehaved). But this day primarily commemorates the “Epiphany”, the “manifestation of Jesus’ divinity” to the three Wise Men. According to tradition, this day marks the end of the long journey undertaken by the Magi, following the trail of the “star of Bethlehem” to the stable where Jesus had been born twelve days earlier.

The “three wise men” knew they would find a King in the stable, which is why they brought with them “gold, frankincense, and myrrh”, gifts usually reserved for kings and deities. Indeed, when they saw the infant Jesus, they recognised Him as a King. The full name of the Epiphany is “Epiphany of the Lord”, or “Theophany” in Eastern Christian traditions, meaning the “revelation of God incarnate”. The very word Epiphany comes from the Greek term ἐπιφάνεια, *Epipháneia*, meaning “manifestation” or “appearance.”

Who Were the Magi? In the “Gospel of Matthew”, the only text to mention them, there is reference to three Magi coming from the East to Jerusalem, following the trail of a star across the sky. Hosted by Herod, they were deceitfully asked to betray Jesus’ location but managed to elude the cruel tetrarch. “Christian oral tradition” and “art history” have made them central figures in the “Nativity scene”, whose arrival marks the end of the Christmas festivities.

Most likely, they were “wise men”, knowledgeable about nature, astrologers, or astronomers. As for the number of the Magi, tradition identifies three: “Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar”. However, their symbolic significance may also extend to the number chosen. Some legends speak of a “fourth Wise Man“, “Artaban”, who carried three pearls for Jesus as large as pigeon eggs and white as the moon. The fourth Magus was delayed along the way, giving up his pearls to help the needy and failing to arrive in time to meet the other Magi.

For these reasons, the Epiphany is also called the “Day of the Magi”, or “Feast of the Magi”, or even “Little Christmas.” The figure of the “Befana” is a completely secular tradition that came later. The name Epiphany gradually corrupted into “Befanìa”, giving rise to the folkloric old lady found in many parts of Italy.

There are numerous traditions associated with the Epiphany and the Magi in Italy and across Europe.

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Wise Men

Nativity scene statues of various formats, dimensions and materials, which you can add to your nativity scene.

Epiphany Traditions in Italy 

In “Parcines” (*Partschins*), a small municipality in the autonomous province of Bolzano in Trentino-Alto Adige, the tradition of “Kiniweihe”, the Feast of the Three Wise Men, is still widely celebrated on 6 January. The initials of the Magi’s names, along with the last two digits of the year, are written on doorways using blessed chalk: “C+M+B” (for Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar), or as an abbreviation of “Christus Mansionem Benedicat”, meaning “Christ bless this house.” Inside the house, a fire is lit in a container to burn incense. Holy water is sprinkled around the house, on family members, and even on the fields to ward off evil. The Rosary is then recited together.

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Myrrh grains

Resin produced by the Commiiphora Molmol Engler, can be found in grains or praticles with a dark red or dark yellow colour.

Throughout the Dolomite region, many customs tied to the Magi are celebrated alongside highly evocative Christmas traditions. In the early days of the year, both children and adults dressed as the Magi go house to house singing Christmas carols and collecting donations for charitable causes. They are known as “Sternsinger” or “Star Singers”, bringing “charcoal and incense” to burn in homes and chalk to inscribe the Magi’s names on doors.

The Feast of the Magi in Spain 

In Spain, “El Día de Los Reyes Magos”, the ancient Feast of the Magi, is celebrated. On the night between 5 and 6 January, the Magi traditionally visit every home to bring gifts to children, who write them “letters” in advance and hand them to royal envoys. In major cities, the “Cabalgata de Los Reyes Magos” is held: a spectacular costume parade featuring brightly decorated floats laden with gifts, music, and dancing, led by Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar, who distribute sweets and small presents from their camels.

The “Cabalgata de Barcelona” is one of the most impressive parades, attracting over half a million spectators, both Spaniards and tourists.

In Tenerife and other parts of Spain, people prepare the “Roscón de Reyes”, a traditional Epiphany cake in the shape of a ring, decorated with candied fruit, almond flakes, and sugar sprinkles. A dried “bean” is hidden inside the cake batter; traditionally, whoever finds the bean is named king for a day and can issue orders to everyone else.

Epiphany Traditions in Europe 

Epiphany in France 

In France, the “Galette des Rois” has been prepared on 6 January since the Middle Ages. This cake has ancient origins, dating back to the Roman Empire. Like the Spanish “Roscón de Reyes”, the cake originally concealed a dried bean, now replaced by a ceramic figurine. Whoever finds the figurine becomes the King or Queen of the celebration. When the “Galette” is served, one slice is set aside as “the share for God,” traditionally reserved for a poor person who might arrive at the door.

Epiphany in Portugal 

In Portugal, the “Christmas bonfire”, lit on Christmas Eve, traditionally burns until the Epiphany, keeping evil spirits at bay and bringing good fortune and prosperity to the household.

Epiphany in Poland 

In Poland, Epiphany is a significant celebration. Known as “Dzien Trzech Króli”, or “Trzej Królowie” (the Feast of the Three Kings), it is one of the country’s major festivities. However, during the Russian Communist era, the Epiphany lost its status as a public holiday. Only in 2011 was it reinstated, with carol singers once again roaming the streets and visiting homes to sing Christmas melodies.

As in Trentino, a piece of white chalk is blessed in church to write the initials of the Magi (K, M, B—Kacper, Melchior, and Baltazar in Polish) on the front doors of houses for family protection.

Epiphany in Germany 

In Germany, alongside the aforementioned “Sternsinger” or “Star Singers” and the house blessing tradition with the initials, “Das Dreikönigsfest” (the Festival of the Three Kings) features ancient customs. Children dressed as the Magi, wearing costumes sewn by their mothers or parish women, go door to door collecting donations and singing. The celebration concludes with a solemn Mass and a communal feast.

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Nativity scene statue The Three Wise Men with camel sitting gauze and resin

The statue are handmade and hand painted, sized 38 cm represented holding some gifts, dressed in gauze and with details finished in gold

Magi-Themed Poems for Children 

Epiphany celebrations often include poems and rhymes, some penned by renowned authors, others passed down through folklore.

“Oh Magi from the East” 

Oh Magi from the East, how beautiful you are 

In the splendour of your fine garments. 

Who taught you the way to Bethlehem? 

A bright star in the eastern sky, 

Suddenly born, taught us the way. 

Do you see? That star is still, up there, 

Leads people to the heart of Jesus. 

“They Lost the Star One Day” by Edmond Rostand 

They lost the star one day. 

How does one lose 

a star? By gazing at it for too long… 

The two white kings, 

who were scholars of Chaldea, 

drew circles on the ground with their staffs. 

They began calculating, scratching their chins… 

But the star had vanished, as an idea fades away, 

and those men, whose souls 

thirsted to be guided, 

wept as they raised their cotton tents. 

But the poor black king, despised by the others, 

said to himself: “Let us think of thirsts that are not ours. 

We must give water to the animals, just the same.” 

And while holding his bucket by the handle, 

in the mirrored sky 

where the camels drank, 

he saw the golden star dancing silently.

“The Three Holy Magi” by Heinrich Heine 

The three holy Magi from the East 

ask in every little town: 

“Dear boys and girls, do tell us, 

is the road to Bethlehem this way?” 

But neither the young nor the old know, 

and the three Magi keep moving on; 

yet a golden comet guides them, 

shining brightly and kindly above. 

The star halts over Joseph’s house: 

Here they must go in. 

The ox lows, the child wails, 

and the three Magi begin to sing.

“How Far to Bethlehem?” by Frances Chesterton

How far to Bethlehem? 

You are almost there. 

Will we find a stable 

beneath a guiding star? 

May we visit the newborn child? 

Will they let us in 

if we lift the latch? 

Will the donkey, ox, and sheep 

allow us to stroke their coats? 

Can we gaze upon Baby Jesus 

as He sleeps? 

If we touch Him gently, 

will He wake? 

Will He know 

we travelled here just for Him? 

The kings bring rich gifts, 

but we bring nothing— 

just smiles and tears 

to lay before His cradle. 

For all the tired children, 

Mary must surely weep. 

Laid upon the straw, 

the Baby sleeps. 

God rests in His mother’s arms, 

while children in the stable 

slumber, hearts untroubled.