Although the Christmas holidays are over in many countries, in Spain we are still missing a very important part of Christmas which is the Epiphany of the Child Jesus, which celebrates the arrival of the three Wise Men from the East who went to worship the Child Jesus and is celebrated in the early morning of January 5 to 6.
Representation of the birth of the Child Jesus with the Three Wise Men in Palencia (Spain).
The three Wise Men from the East, called Melchior, Gaspar and Balthazar, worshipped the Child Jesus by presenting him with gold, frankincense and myrrh as gifts. For this reason, on the afternoon of January 5, it is a tradition in different Spanish cities to see parades of floats where their majesties hand out candy. However, there are cities in Spain where the realism of these parades is total, as, for example, in Adeje (Tenerife Island) a few years ago I enjoyed these parades seeing their majesties riding on camels although one of the kings was in a float pulled by camels. For me it was the first time I went to such a realistic parade to see their majesties on camels and not on motorized floats as happens in other cities.
Adeje Three Kings Parade 2009
In turn, on the occasion of the celebration of Three Kings Day, within the Christmas lights of the different cities, we can find very varied representations of these three important personalities.
For example, in the city of Palencia, which is one of the cities I have visited in the last month, I have found a very varied Christmas decoration in its main square. With a nativity scene with large figures, a multicolored Christmas tree and how could it be less, a representation of the three wise men from the east built with a metal structure and multiple LED lights.
Christmas ornaments in Palencia
Representation of the three kings and their camels with LED lights in Palencia
Three Wise Men ornaments in Valladolid
On the other hand, in another city of Castilla y León very close to Palencia, Valladolid, I found other original Christmas decorations representing the three Wise Men. Specifically, the ornaments were three large crowns, each of them being different due to the different origin of each of the Three Wise Men.
King Melchior
King Melchior is associated with a Persian origin and is usually depicted with a crown with rounded tips like the one shown in the Christmas ornament.
King Gaspar
King Gaspar is associated with an Indian origin and is usually depicted with a flattened crown, unlike King Melchior's multi-pointed crown.
King Balthasar
King Balthazar is associated with an Arab origin and the type of crown, unlike the previous ones, is usually highlighted by the use of brightly colored turbans such as blue or green.
These three Christmas decorations placed in the same square in front of the cathedral of Valladolid, for me have been the three Christmas decorations that I have liked the most of those I have found this Christmas in the different cities I have visited during the month of December.
Arrival of January 6th
The next day, January 6th, will be the big day of the Christmas celebration. On that day it is tradition to leave the gifts for the children under the Christmas tree, similar to the tradition of Santa Claus gifts. So the 6th is the day when all the children play non-stop with their new presents from the Three Kings.
As a curiosity, in some areas of Spain it is also a tradition to tell the children to clean their shoes well the day before the delivery of the gifts, as it is customary to place these shoes also near the Christmas tree as a sign of doing well the tasks that are indicated to them and of having a good behavior.
As for gifts between adults, there are usually gifts of all kinds depending on the purchasing power of each family. In my family the traditional gift is a shirt, pants or sweater and for those relatives with whom we have less contact, such as an uncle or cousin, the most common is to buy some socks or slippers at home to give them a detail.
By the way, I finish this post and I'm going to do the last shopping for the gifts of kings for my relatives.
I hope you liked this trip through three Spanish cities knowing the tradition of the Three Wise Men festivity.
Best regards.
