What do we celebrate on the 6th of January? 2022/01/03

Epiphany in Greek means apparition, work related to a deity’s manifestation.

The Epiphany celebrates the arrival of the Magi from the east that bring gifts to Jesus. The term “magi” is the plural from Latin “magus” borrowed from the Greek μάγος which in turn was derived from the Persian term for the philosopher-astrologer-priests. They are described to have an exotic aspect and dressed in fine clothes. They followed the trace of a star to Bethlehem where in a hut they found the little boy resting in Maria’s arms.

They named him king and offered him precious gifts. Gold was a gift reserved for kings, incense is used in the religion field and the myrrh (plant from which a resin is extracted to use as an ointment) used to worship the dead and for medicinal purposes.

Uncertain is the attribution of their names, although they are known as Melchior, Gaspar and Balthazar.

Gentile da Fabriano, Worship to the Magi (Wise Men) - 1423

Let's go around the world to discover the traditions of January 6th.

Italy

Besides the religious celebration of the “Wise Men”, children await for the Befana, an odd old lady with worn clothes that flies on her broom from house to house to fill the stockings hanging on the chimneys. With sweets and little toys, the best will be rewarded but the naughty ones will receive only coal.

Many traditions from the Middle Ages have to do with fire and bonfires and still today in many Italian places, on January 6th afternoon, a large representation of the Befana is often burnt.

In Mexico children write a letter the night before, they place it underneath the Christmas tree inside a shoe or they tie it to a balloon, they release it to the sky hoping that on its way, the Wise Men will catch it. They bake cookies, leave water and milk for the Wise Men and their animals. On the next day children wake up to see the gifts they brought them.

In France, the Epiphany is celebrated by eating a special dessert with a broad bean inside: whoever finds it will become the king or queen of that day’s celebration.

In Germany it is not a festivity, they work as usual and children attend school. Priests go asking for donations and recite a verse or sing a sacred song.

The only relative of the Italian Befana is Perchta or Berchta, a woman, sometimes young and beautiful and sometimes old and ugly that brings gifts to children in the Alps area (Switzerland, Bavaria and Austria).

In Russia, the Orthodox church celebrates Christmas that day. Gifts are brought by father Frost accompanied by Babushka, a beautiful little old lady.

In Island, January 6th is called the thirteenth day (after Christmas). You make a torch, in which also the King and Queen of the dwarfs participate and the thirteenth and last of the Santa Clauses (the first Santa Claus arrives on December 11th, then one arrives every day until Christmas, while from December 25th onwards, one goes away a day). It ends with a bonfire and fireworks.

What do the Italian Befana and the Epiphany have in common?

Really, nothing! Befana is a deformation of the work Epiphany (in Italian Epifanía) and the common thing between them is that they are celebrated on December 6th.

To celebrate this date, you can download the Wise Men mini kit and prepare a small tribute for them.

Or you can receive it directly in your house with the party box (canned party) by courier and receive the products ready to use.