Franz von Rohden - Nativity |
It is a tradition that Latin countries put more emphasis on the
feast of the Epiphany than on Christmas Day. The Feast of Epiphany is traditionally Italy’s and
Spain's main festive holiday, when children receive their presents brought not
by Santa Claus, but by the Three Kings. On "El
Día de los Reyes" Spain and Latin American countries celebrate the
biblical adoration of baby Jesus by the three Kings, also known as the three
Wise Men or Magi. In a 2015 survey, Spanish children overwhelmingly chose
the Three Kings as their favorite gift giver (67 percent) over Santa Claus (27
percent).
In Spain ‘Los Reyes Magos’ - Melchior, Caspar and
Balthazar - play a similar role to Santa Claus in many other parts of the
world. Spanish children write letters to the Three Kings, or Three Wise Men,
who then bring the children gifts the night before, or on the morning of the
Epiphany. In some houses children leave their shoes outside the door so that
the Three Kings will fill them with gifts, often leaving bigger presents
alonsgide. Live processions are held in many cities, with live camels and three men dressed elaborately as Kings.
An Epiphany procession which frequently includes live camels |
On January 6th, Spaniards typically tuck into a
Roscón de Reyes, a Three Kings cake baked in a ring and decorated with candied
fruit and hiding a, sometimes lucrative, surprise. A small figurine of the baby
Jesus, or a little toy for children, is typically hidden inside the dough, as
is a dry fava bean. Whoever finds the toy is crowned king or queen of the
celebration, while the one who finds the bean has to buy the Roscón next year.
Another tradition involves men leaping into freezing
water to retrieve a crucifix thrown by a priest. The winner becomes an instant hero, and probably spends a week in bed recovering from pneumonia, as do all the other swimmers.
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