According to the New Testament's Gospels, on this date the Magi, the three wise men or kings, venerated and brought gifts to the infant Jesus. The word epiphany is not specific to Christianity, as Zeus's alias, "Epiphanes," can attest. It comes from the Greek epiphaneia, meaning "manifestation." In many countries, Three Kings Day is a traditional time of gift giving--and there is a tradition of baking a King Cake with a lucky bean inside! Whoever finds the bean is the king of the feast.
According to the New Testament's Gospels, on this date the Magi, the three wise men or kings, venerated and brought gifts to the infant Jesus. The word epiphany is not specific to Christianity, as Zeus's alias, "Epiphanes," can attest. It comes from the Greek epiphaneia, meaning "manifestation." In many countries, Three Kings Day is a traditional time of gift giving--and there is a tradition of baking a King Cake with a lucky bean inside! Whoever finds the bean is the king of the feast.