When was the traditional celebration of the three kings

Three Kings has also become a cultural tradition in towns and cities across the U. Isabel Encalado moved from Ecuador to New York 25 years ago. Growing up, she remembers seeing Three Kings Day celebrations on TV at a time when her family wasn't able to afford to get her gifts to commemorate the occasion.

As for Hernandez, the Latina millennial said that if she has children someday, she plans to pass down the Three Kings Day traditions. Claudia Deschamps is a former anchor and reporter for Univision and Telemundo. A native of Mexico City, she lives with her family in Texas. Patricia Guadalupe is a freelance journalist based in Washington, D. Carmen Sesin is a reporter based in Miami. IE 11 is not supported.

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Follow NBC News. The Folia de reis is celebrated in the Catholic religion in order to commemorate the visit of the three wise men Gaspar, Melchior — or Belchior- and Baltazar to the baby Jesus. When they saw the Star of Bethlehem in the sky, they went to meet the new born baby Jesus and took incense, gold and myrrh to give to him.

The gold represented royalty, the incense represented divinity or faith, and the myrrh represented immortality. In Brazil, this festival is celebrated in different regions across the country. A group of folia de reis is formed by a master or ambassador, a foreman, the three wise men, clowns, military flag bearers and procession revellers. In addition, during the Folia de Reis it is possible to watch the parades of the groups dedicated to the festivities through the streets. The members of the groups wear colorful costumes, dance and play typical music with different instruments such as: guitars drums, accordions, tambourines, harmonicas, and other percussion instruments, etc.

During the festival groups walk around the streets offering the blessings of Jesus to the people who want to receive them. In his address on Epiphany, Pope Francis took the opportunity to connect the two holidays further, instructing people to be charitable not just towards one another, but to God as well. Per the Biblical Archaeology Society , the meaning of the three gifts brought on Three Kings' Day has been debated by Christian scholars over the years.

The items themselves were gold, frankincense, and myrrh, which, according to the same source, were typical items presented "to honor a king or deity in the ancient world. While the worth of gold is obvious, it is believed that there is actually more value to the gifts than previously realized. According to Simon Cotton's account in Chemistry World , the frankincense and myrrh may have especially had significant value beyond just bringing a pleasant odor.

He revealed that research has been done on the painkilling properties of myrrh molecules, and the boswellic acid that is a part of frankincense resin is known to ameliorate issues with both inflammation and arthritis.

Historically, myrrh was more often used in perfumes and medicines, for healing wounds it is put into mouthwashes and toothpaste to this day and to preserve bodies," Cotton wrote. According to Ortiz, each item also had a symbolic meaning related to the birth of Jesus.

Frankincense was used for worship or prayer. They were there to worship the child Jesus," says Ortiz. Its significance is showing that Jesus Christ will give his life for us.

El Museo del Barrio noted that the gold is typically credited to Melchor, the myrrh to Balthazzar, and the frankincense from Caspar. But for those who believe, just like the magi and their camels travelled all the way to Bethlehem on faith, families will find a way to somehow celebrate this important day. For ways to live your best life plus all things Oprah, sign up for our newsletter! Your Best Life. Type keyword s to search. Pacific Press Getty Images.

Three Kings' Day falls on January 6, commemorating the day that it's believed the three wise men visited Jesus after his birth. In some cultures, Three Kings' Day is known as Epiphany.

The holiday is widely celebrated in Spanish-speaking nations and is connected to Christmas. The holiday celebrates the three kings who visited with Jesus at his birth. Catherine Leblanc.