The Three Kings Day in Spain

January 6 is the day of The Three Kings (el día de los Reyes Magos) and it is one of the most special and magical days of the year. Unlike Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, you may never have heard of this day because it is celebrated in few countries.

Many will equate this day to Christmas in other countries, saying that the three wise men are “our” Santa Claus. Well, although the Three Wise Men are the ones who bring gifts to children, their role is different. In this article we are going to explain the keys so that you can know what Three Kings Day in Spain consists of and understand why it has its charm.

The Three Kings: Who are they?

Legend has it, based on Christian history and tradition, that centuries ago, three wise men from the East named Melchior, Gaspar and Balthazar saw a shooting star in the sky and understood that the Savior had been born. They followed the star and it led them to the cave, the place of the birth of the baby Jesus.

Although it is clear that this story has its origin in religion, the Bible only mentions some “magi” coming from the East without saying how many there were, what their names were and without describing their appearance. The only reference appears in the Gospel of Matthew, the first book of the New Testament:

“Some Magi coming from the East arrived in Jerusalem asking, “Where is the newborn King of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the East and have come to worship him.””

Because of where they came from, the Magi are sometimes also called the Wise Men from the East. When one speaks of “the East“, the reference is to an area that for the Jews was the territories of Arabia, Persia or Chaldea. And the “magi” was the denomination that the learned priests received in these territories.

What gifts did the Three Kings bring to the baby Jesus?

The Three Kings brought the baby Jesus several gifts: gold, frankincense and myrrh.

• Gold, a gift intended for kings like Jesus, who was known as the King of the Jews.
• Frankincense, known as the material that was burned before the gods, referred to their divinity and wisdom, the meaning of this gift was that the child Jesus came into the world with a special mission to teach the people.
• And the myrrh, which in those times was used to embalm dead bodies, alluded to his tragic destiny of having to die for others.

Belén: the symbol that must not be missing

Belén or the Nativity Scene is a traditional representation of the birth of the baby Jesus. Its name comes from a locality in Palestine today, although what Christmas cribs in Spain illustrate is the manger (the cave) where the Virgin Mary gave birth.

The figures that are placed in the nativity scenes have their reasons and even their order! In the center is placed the cradle of the baby Jesus, to his left you can see the Virgin Mary as a symbol of love and loyalty. On the right is St. Joseph, Mary’s husband, as a synonym of strength and obedience. Also present are the Angel Gabriel who announced the good news of Christ’s birth, the shepherds, the mule and the ox. Another protagonist of the nativity scene is the famous shooting star, which led the Three Kings to the cave and symbolizes faith.

How is Three Kings Day celebrated in Spain today?

Well, let’s go back to the Three Kings Day, how is it currently celebrated in Spain?

Gift or coal?

To begin with, a few weeks before, children should write a letter in which they explain whether they have been good or not and make a list of the gifts they would like to receive. Once written, it can be mailed or hand-delivered directly to the kings by going to a shopping mall to meet them in person.

If children “have been good” during the year, on January 6th they will receive gifts from the Three Kings, but what if they have not behaved at all well? In that case, when they wake up, they will only have received coal (which nowadays can be made of sugar).

La cabalgata or the parade

The kings not only go to the shopping malls, but in every neighborhood, on January 5, there is a parade where you can see different floats with the kings, the camels, the pages (their helpers) enlivened with music and candy distribution.

The biggest parades in the main cities are real artistic spectacles for both children and adults, and even the clothes worn by the kings that year are debated in the news of the day.

After the parade, the night is the most exciting time for the children. Normally milk and cookies are prepared for the Three Kings and water for their camels and, in some houses, shoes are left next to them so that they leave gifts inside. The next morning finally comes the long-awaited moment, the surprise of finding in your own home the gifts that the Three Kings have left for the whole family.

The Roscón de Reyes: The sweet shared treasure

In Spain, tradition has it that in the morning of January 6, presents are opened and the typical sweet (which you may have already eaten before these days), called Roscón de Reyes, is eaten for breakfast.

The Roscón de Reyes is a circular and spongy treat, which brings families and friends together around the table. It is made of a sweet brioche dough, decorated with candied fruit and sugar and can be filled with cream, custard, chocolate or plain.

There is something special and secret: inside the roscón is hidden a tiny figurine of one of the Three Kings and a dried bean. Whoever finds the figurine is crowned king or queen for a day. However, whoever finds the bean… has to pay for the roscón!

This sweet, with its candied fruits and surprises hidden inside, represents the camaraderie and joy of sharing. Cutting the roscón, anxious to find out who will get the figurine or the bean, is a tradition that creates excitement and laughter among diners.

After breakfast it is common to make a tour of the homes of relatives collecting and giving the gifts they have left in the different houses, eating and celebrating this last day that marks the end of the winter vacation festivities.

The emotion of sharing: A celebration that brings hearts together

Three Kings Day in Spain is much more than a holiday; it is an event that unites the ancient with the modern, the sacred with the playful. The magic and meaning rooted in this holiday make it a special day for everyone, regardless of age.

From the excitement of the little ones to the reflection of adults, Three Kings Day in Spain is a celebration that unites families and strengthens emotional bonds in a spirit of love, faith and hope.

If you ever have the opportunity to be in Spain during this time, let yourself be carried away by the fascinating tradition of the Three Kings. If, on the other hand, you have just discovered this Spanish holiday, we invite you to immerse yourself with us in the magic that revolves around Three Kings Day.

¡Felices Reyes Magos!