Three Kings Day

A visual representation of the three wise men/kings honored in Dia de Los Reyes.

A visual representation of the three wise men/kings honored in Dia de Los Reyes.

Aracely Torres-Fernandez, Staff Writer

Dia de Los Reyes Magos is a celebration that happens in Mexico. In Mexico, Dia de Los Reyes (known elsewhere as Epiphany) is celebrated on January 6 to honor the three wise men. This holiday represents the day the three wise men gave gifts to Jesus Christ. It’s also, a day that people of Mexico exchange gifts. 

During Dia de Los Reyes, Mexicans serve Rosca de Reyes or king´s cake. “Rosca” means wreath and “Reyes”  means kings. The Rosca de Reyes has an oval shape to symbolize a crown that has a small doll inside too, which represents baby Jesus. The doll figure symbolizes the hiding of the infant Jesus from King Herod’s troops. Traditionally, roses are adorned with dried and candied fruits to symbolize the many jewels that a crown would have. 

The person who gets the slice with the doll must host a party on Dia de la Candelaria on February 2. This is groundhog day in the united states, but in Mexico, there is a completely different celebration on this date. This is the religious holiday known as Dia de la Candelaria or Candelamas in English.

Throughout Mexico on this day of the year, people dress up figures of the Christ child in special outfits and take them to church to be blessed. Then they get together with family and friends to eat tamales, as a continuation of festivities of the Three Kings’ Day on January 6. Children in Latin America including Spain receive Claus at Christmas. Before going to bed, the children place their old shoes with a wishlist on top for the Three Kings. In the morning, the shoes are filled with toys and gifts from the three kings. 

Overall, this celebration is really fun from eating delicious food to big parties with family and friends.