Three kings? Really?
Not so sure. In fact, the texts don't say how many of them there are, or what their names are. They are mentioned in only one of the 4 Gospels, that of Saint Matthew. It reads: "And behold, the star which they had seen in the east went before them, until it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with great joy. They entered the house, saw the child with Mary his mother, and falling at his feet, they bowed down before him. They opened their caskets and offered him their gifts: gold, frankincense and myrrh". You've noticed as much as I have: no numbers, no names.
Illustration chosen by monsieurdefrance.com: Sandro Botticelli, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Origen's deduction
Origen (185-254) was the first to speak of 3 Magi. He deduced that there were three magi, based on the tradition that three disciplines were necessary to acquire knowledge. Three disciplines: three magi. All the more so given the number of gifts: gold, myrrh and frankincense. In the 6th century, we read their names for the first time in a text that refers to "Balthasar, Melkon and Gathaspar". Other names are found in other texts, mainly oriental, which speak of Hormizdah, Yazdegerd and Perozadh". Bede the Elder (672-735) wrote the first description of the kings as we know them in the 7th century.
3 kings 3 continents
What everyone knows today was summed up by Jacques de Voragine in the 13th century. He states that there are three kings (they are magi in France, saints in Germany... ). There are three of them, of three ages, representing the 3 continents known in the Middle Ages : Asia, Africa and Europe. Gaspard has a "red" complexion and represents Asia. The gifts they bring are also highly symbolic. Gold represents royalty, incense divinity and myrrh sacrifice.
In this painting, we can see that the kings represent 3 periods of life. Youth, adulthood and old age.
3 kings 3 ages of life.
Gaspard represents youth, Balthazar represents adulthood and Melchior with his long beard represents old age.
The Three Wise Men in France
We find them in Baux de Provence (Bouches-du-Rhône), whose lords claimed descent from the eldest of the Magi: Balthazar. They displayed a 16-pointed star on their coat of arms, to recall the journey of their supposed ancestor, whose name was recalled in their motto "au hasard Balthazar". As in Spain, it was the Three Wise Men who spoiled children in certain parts of France, before Santa Claus took over in the 20th century. In the north of France, for example, the Three Wise Men brought treats, and in the Roussillon region, they were acclaimed during a cavalcade in Perpignan.
The ruins of the Château des Baux de Provence, where Balthazar is said to have had descendants. Photo chosen by monsieurdefrance.com: nejron via depositphotos.
The famous galette des rois
At Epiphany, 12 days after Christmas, the galette des rois is eaten. A delicious round cake in which a bean is hidden. Whoever finds the bean in his or her slice is crowned king.
