n all-male
horo dance in ice-cold water on Theophany Epiphany is celebrated with a wide array of customs around the world. In some cultures, the greenery and
nativity scenes put up at Christmas are taken down at Epiphany. In other cultures these remain up until
Candlemas on February 2. In countries historically shaped by
Western Christianity (
Roman Catholicism,
Protestantism) these customs often involve gift giving,
king cakes and a celebratory close to the Christmas season. In traditionally
Orthodox nations, water, baptismal rites and house blessings are typically central to these celebrations.
Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay In
Argentina,
Paraguay, and
Uruguay, as in other Latin American countries, the day is called (The Day of Kings, a reference to the
Biblical Magi), commemorating the arrival of the Magi to revere Jesus as son of God. The night of January 5 into the morning of January 6 is known as "Noche de Reyes" (The Night of Kings) and children leave their shoes by the door, along with grass and water for the camels. On the morning of January 6, they get up early and rush to see their shoes, where they are expecting to find gifts left by the "Reyes" who, according to tradition, bypass the houses of children who are awake. On January 6, a "Rosca de Reyes" (a ring-shaped Epiphany cake) is eaten and all Christmas decorations are traditionally put away.
Assyrians in Iraq and Syria Assyrian Christians in Iraq celebrate
the feast of Epiphany, "Etha de Denha" ('rising' in
Neo-Aramaic) on January 6, this holiday is celebrated by people of all ages splashing water at each other with buckets or hoses as a symbol of Jesus's baptism.
Bulgaria , Bulgaria In Bulgaria, Epiphany is celebrated on January 6 and is known as
Bogoyavlenie ("Manifestation of God"),
Кръщение Господне (
Krashtenie Gospodne or "Baptism of the Lord") or
Yordanovden ("Day of Jordan", referring to
the river). On this day, a wooden cross is thrown by a priest into the sea, river or lake and young men race to retrieve it. As the date is in early January and the waters are close to freezing, this is considered an honorable act and it is said that good health will be bestowed upon the home of the swimmer who is the first to reach the cross. In the town of
Kalofer, a traditional
horo with drums and
bagpipes is played in the icy waters of the
Tundzha river before the throwing of the cross.
Benelux celebrating Speakers of Dutch and Flemish call this day
Driekoningen (Three kings), while German speakers call it '''' (Three Kings' Day). In Belgium, Luxembourg, the southern parts of the Netherlands and in neighboring Germany, children in groups of three (symbolizing the Biblical Magi) proceed in costume from house to house while singing songs typical for the occasion, and receiving a coin or some sweets at each door. They may each carry a paper lantern symbolizing the star. In the Netherlands (provinces of Brabant and Limburg only), these troupes gather for competitions and present their skits/songs for an audience. As in Belgium,
Koningentaart (Kings' tart), puff pastry with almond filling, is prepared with a black bean hidden inside. Whoever finds the bean in his or her piece is king or queen for the day. A more typically Dutch version is
Koningenbrood, or Kings' bread. In the north of the Netherlands, the traditions have died out, except for a very few places. Another
Low Countries tradition on Epiphany is to open up doors and windows to let good luck in for the coming year.
Brazil In Brazil, the day is called "Dia dos Reis" (The Day of Kings) and in the rest of Latin America "Día de Reyes" commemorating the arrival of the Magi to confirm Jesus as son of God. The night of January 5 into the morning of January 6 is known as "Night of Kings" (also called the Twelfth Night) and is feasted with music, sweets and regional dishes as the last night of Nativity, when Christmas decorations are traditionally put away.
Chile In Chile, this day is sometimes known as the
Día de los Tres Reyes Magos ('The Day of the Three Royal Magi') or
La Pascua de los Negros ('Holy Day of the Black Men'), although the latter is rarely heard, because it was the day when slaves were allowed not to work.
Dominican Republic In the Dominican Republic, the
Día de los Tres Reyes Magos ('The Day of the Three Royal Magi') and in this day children receive gifts on the christmas tree in a similar fashion to Christmas day. On this day public areas are very active with children accompanied by their parents trying out their new toys. A common practice is to leave toys under the children's beds on January 5, so when they wake up on January 6, they are made to believe the gifts and toys were left from Santa Claus or the Three Kings. However, and particularly in the larger cities and in the North, local traditions are now being observed and intertwined with the greater North American Santa Claus tradition, as well as with other holidays such as Halloween, due to Americanization via film and television, creating an economy of gifting tradition that spans from Christmas Day until January 6.
Egypt The feast of the Epiphany, locally called
Eid al-Ghitas (), is celebrated by the
Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria, which falls on 11 Tobe of the
Coptic calendar, as the moment when in the baptism of Jesus the skies opened and God himself revealed to all as father of Jesus and all mankind. It is then a moment of revelation of epiphany. This celebration started to include all the processes of incarnation of Jesus, from his birth on Christmas until his baptism in the river Jordan. For the Coptic Orthodox Church it is also a moment in which the path of Jesus to the Cross begins. Therefore, in many celebrations there are certain similarities with the celebrations of Holy Friday during the time of Easter. Since the Epiphany is one of the seven great feasts of the Coptic Orthodox Church, it is a day of strict fasting, and several religious celebrations are held on this day. The day is related to the blessing of waters that are used all throughout the year in the church celebrations, and it is a privileged day to celebrate baptisms. It is also a day in which many houses are blessed with water. It may take several days for the local priest to bless all the houses of the parishioners that ask for it, and so the blessing of the houses may go into the after-feasts of the Epiphany celebrations. However, it must be done before the beginning of Lent.
England In England, the celebration of the night before Epiphany,
Epiphany Eve, is known as Twelfth Night (the first night of Christmas is December 25–26, and Twelfth Night is January 5–6), and was a traditional time for
mumming and the
wassail. The
Yule log was left burning until this day, and the charcoal left was kept until the next Christmas to kindle next year's Yule log, as well as to protect the house from fire and lightning. In the past, Epiphany was also a day for playing practical jokes, similar to
April Fool's Day. Today in England, Twelfth Night is still as popular a day for plays as when
Shakespeare's
Twelfth Night was first performed in 1601, and annual celebrations involving the
Holly Man are held in London. A traditional dish for Epiphany was Twelfth Cake, a rich, dense, typically English
fruitcake. As in Europe, whoever found the baked-in bean was king for a day, but uniquely to English tradition other items were sometimes included in the cake. Whoever found the clove was the villain; the twig, the fool; and the rag, the tart. Anything spicy or hot, like ginger snaps and spiced ale, was considered proper Twelfth Night fare, recalling the costly spices brought by the Wise Men. Another English Epiphany sweetmeat was the traditional jam tart, made appropriate to the occasion by being fashioned in the form of a six-pointed star symbolising the Star of Bethlehem, and thus called Epiphany tart. The discerning English cook sometimes tried to use thirteen different colored jams on the tart on this day for luck, creating a pastry resembling stained glass.
Ethiopia and Eritrea In the
Ethiopian Orthodox Church and the
Eritrean Orthodox Church, the feast is known as
Timkat and is celebrated on the day that the
Gregorian calendar calls January 19, but on January 20 in years when
New Year in the
Ethiopian calendar falls on Gregorian September 12 (i.e. when the following February in the Gregorian calendar will have 29 days). The celebration of this feast features blessing of water and solemn processions with the sacred
Tabot.
Finland In Finland, Epiphany is called ''
, a name which goes back to the 1600s. In the 1500s the Swedish-Finnish Lutheran church called Epiphany "Day of the Holy Three Kings", while before this, the older term Epiphania
was used. In the Karelian language Epiphany is called vieristä'', meaning cross, from the
Orthodox custom of submerging a cross three times to bless water on this day. Today, in the
Lutheran church, Epiphany is a day dedicated to a focus on
missionary work in addition to the Wise Men narrative. Between 1973 and 1991 Epiphany was observed in Finland on a Saturday each year no earlier than January 6, and no later than January 12. After that time however, the traditional date of January 6 was restored and has since been observed once again as a national public holiday. The Christmas tree is traditionally taken out of the house on Epiphany. While the term ''
means "ending [of Christmas time]," in reality, Christmas celebrations in Finland are extended to Nuutti's'' or
St. Canute's Day on January 13, completing the Scandinavian Twenty Days of Christmas.
Francophone Europe In France people share one of two types of king cake. In the northern half of France and Belgium the cake is called a
galette des Rois, and is a round, flat, and golden cake made with flake pastry and often filled with
frangipane, fruit, or chocolate. In the south, in
Provence, and in the south-west, a crown-shaped cake or
brioche filled with fruit called a
gâteau des Rois is eaten. In
Romandie, both types can be found though the latter is more common. Both types of cake contain a charm, usually a porcelain or plastic figurine, called a
fève (
broad bean in French). The cake is cut by the youngest (and therefore most innocent) person at the table to assure that the recipient of the bean is random. The person who gets the piece of cake with the trinket becomes "king" or "queen" and wears a paper crown provided with the cake. In some regions this person has a choice between offering a beverage to everyone around the table (usually a sparkling wine or champagne), or volunteering to host the next king cake at their home. This can extend the festivities through all of January.
German-speaking Europe visit President
Karl Carstens (1982) January 6 is a public holiday in
Austria, three
states of Germany (
Baden-Württemberg,
Bavaria and
Saxony-Anhalt) and three
cantons of Switzerland (
Schwyz,
Ticino and
Uri), as well as in parts of the canton of
Graubünden. In the German-speaking lands, groups of young people called (
star singers) travel from door to door. They are dressed as the Biblical Magi, and their leader carries a star, usually of painted wood attached to a broom handle. Often these groups are four girls, or two boys and two girls in order to sing in four-part harmony. They sing traditional songs and newer ones such as "
Stern über Bethlehem". They are not necessarily three wise men. German Lutherans often note in a lighthearted fashion that the Bible never specifies that the
Weisen (
Magi) were men, or that there were three. The star singers solicit donations for worthy causes, such as efforts to end hunger in Africa, organized jointly by the Catholic and Protestant churches, and they will also be offered treats at the homes they visit. The young people then perform the traditional house blessing, by marking the year over the doorway with chalk. In Roman Catholic communities this may even today be a serious spiritual event with the priest present, but among Protestants it is more a tradition, and a part of the German notion of
Gemütlichkeit. Usually on the Sunday following Epiphany, these donations are brought into churches. Here all of the children who have gone out as star singers, once again in their costumes, form a procession of sometimes dozens of wise men and stars. The German Chancellor and Parliament also receive a visit from the star singers at Epiphany. The Three Kings cake is a golden pastry ring filled with orange and spice representing gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Most often found in
Switzerland, these cakes take the form of
Buchteln but for Epiphany, studded with citron, and baked as seven large buns in a round rather than square pan, forming a crown. Or they may be made of typical rich Christmas bread dough with cardamom and pearl sugar in the same seven bun crown shape. These varieties are most typically purchased in supermarkets, with the trinket and gold paper crown included. As in other countries, the person who receives the piece or bun containing the trinket or whole almond becomes the king or queen for a day. Epiphany is also an especially joyful occasion for the young and young at heart, as this is the day dedicated to
plündern – that is, when Christmas trees are "plundered" of their cookies and sweets by eager children (and adults) and when
gingerbread houses, and any other good things left in the house from Christmas, are devoured. Lastly, there is a German rhyme saying, or
Bauernregel, that goes , meaning "If there hasn't been any winter (weather) until Epiphany, none is coming afterward." Another of these
Bauernregel (German farmer's rules) for Epiphany states: , or "If the eve of Epiphany is bright and clear, it foretells a good wine year."
Greece, Cyprus , Greece In Greece, Cyprus and the
Greek diaspora throughout the world, the feast is called the Theophany, or colloquially
Phōta (, 'Lights'). It is the
Great Celebration or
Theotromi. In some regions of Macedonia (West) it is the biggest festival of the year. The Baptism of Christ symbolizes the rebirth of man, its importance is such that until the fourth century Christians celebrated New Year on this day. Customs revolve around the
Great Blessing of the Waters. It marks the end of the traditional ban on sailing, as the tumultuous winter seas are cleansed of the mischief-prone
kalikántzaroi, the goblins that try to torment God-fearing Christians through the festive season. During this ceremony, a cross is thrown into the water, and the men compete to retrieve it for good luck. The
Phota form the middle of another festive
triduum, together with Epiphany Eve, when children sing the Epiphany carols, and the great feast of
St. John the Baptist (January 7 and eve). It is a time for sanctification, which in Greece means expiation, purification of the people and protection against the influence of demons. This concept is certainly not strictly Christian, but has roots in ancient worship. In most parts of Greece a ritual called
small sanctification,
Protagiasi or
Enlightment is practiced on the eve of Epiphany. The priest goes door to door with the cross and a branch of basil to "sanctify" or "brighten" the rooms by sprinkling them with holy water. The
protagiasi casts away the goblins; bonfires are also lit in some places for that purpose. The 'Great Blessing' is performed on the day of Theophany inside the churches on a special decorated platform upon which a large vessel filled with water is placed. Then the immersion of the Cross takes place in the sea or in a nearby river or lake. The immersion of the Cross, according to popular belief, gives the water purifying and health-giving properties. The inhabitants of many areas, after the immersion, run to the seashores or to the banks of rivers or lakes and wash their agricultural tools and even icons. According to common popular belief, even icons, over time, lose their original power and value, which they, however, regain anew from the blessed water. This very procedure is nothing but the precisely faithful survival of ancient beliefs. The ancients, for example the Athenians, had the ceremony (procedure) of the well-known 'Plynteria', as they called it, during which they carried in procession to the coast of Phaleron the statue of Athena. There they washed it with seawater to cleanse it of impurities and to renew the sacred powers of the statue. Today the women of many regions repeat this ancient custom of washing the icons. As in Plaka of Mytilene, at the moment the divers dive to catch the Cross the women at the same time 'take with a kratuna (= water-gourd) water from 40 waves and then, with cotton that they dip in it, clean the icons without speaking throughout this whole process ("silent water") and afterwards they pour the water in a place that is not trodden (into a receptacle of the church)
Guadeloupe Islands Celebrations in Guadeloupe have a different feel from elsewhere in the world. Epiphany here does not mean the last day of Christmas celebrations, but rather the first day of
Kannaval (
Carnival), which lasts until the evening before
Ash Wednesday. Carnival, in turn, ends with the
grand brilé Vaval, the burning of Vaval, the king of the
Kannaval, amidst the cries and wails of the crowd.
Hungary On this day, the Christmas trees are taken down. Nowadays, the traditions associated with the holiday are being followed in fewer and fewer villages. Many traditions and superstition are associated with this day. During house blessings (called
koleda), it was common to write with chalk e.g.
20CMB25 over the door ( in the year 2025, or by
popular etymology, CMB stands for
Caspar, Melchior, Balthasar (a monogram of the names of the Magi) next to the year to protect them against witch
hexes or
lightning. The preachers were given a bowl of corn, a bowl of peas, a pig's foot to eat and gifted them a bag of plums, nuts, flour,
salo and sausages. With the holy water they blessed their kids, house and animals and their dead (sprinkled on coffins). There were places where people attributed magical powers to simple brooks, like in
Jászdózsa, where they cut a hole in the Tarna (today: Trnava) and people splashed each other with the icy water to be healthy.
Csillagének (star singing) and
Csillagozás were both common. The children doing the Csillagének prepared costumes and mechanically-moved stars, and it wasn't only performed by boys. This was accomponied by
Háromkirályjárás where next to the singing they also performed the story of the Biblical Magi and the Story of Herod. As with most Hungarian holidays, there were also superstitions connected to Epiphany (
Vízkereszt): for example, in
Moara, Romania, it was believed that if you braid that day the sausages will become longer next year.
India (lights) are used to celebrate Epiphany in some Kerala Christian households In parts of southern India, Epiphany is called the Three Kings Festival and is celebrated in front of the local church like a fair. This day marks the close of the Advent and Christmas season and people remove the cribs and nativity sets at home. In
Goa Epiphany may be locally known by its
Portuguese name . In the village of Reis Magos, in Goa, there is a fort called Reis Magos (Wise Men) or Três Reis Magos for Biblical Magi. Celebrations include a widely attended procession, with boys arrayed as the Magi, leading to the Franciscan Chapel of the Magi near the Goan capital of
Panjim. Other popular Epiphany processions are held in
Chandor. Here three young boys in regal robes and splendid crowns descend the nearby hill of Our Lady of Mercy on horseback towards the main church where a three-hour festival Mass is celebrated. The route before them is decorated with streamers, palm leaves and balloons with the smallest children present lining the way, shouting greetings to the Kings. The Kings are traditionally chosen, one each, from Chandor's three hamlets of Kott, Cavorim and Gurdolim, whose residents helped build the Chandor church in 1645. In the past the kings were chosen only from among high-
caste families, but since 1946 the celebration has been open to all. Participation is still expensive as it involves getting a horse, costumes, and providing a lavish buffet to the community afterwards, in all totaling some 100,000
rupees (about US$2,250) per king. This is undertaken gladly since having a son serve as a king is considered a great honor and a blessing on the family.
Cansaulim in South Goa is similarly famous for its Three Kings festival, which draws tourists from around the state and India. Three boys are selected from the three neighboring villages of Quelim, Cansaulim and Arrosim to present the gifts of
gold,
frankincense and
myrrh in a procession. Only a native of these villages may serve as king; outsiders are barred from the role. Throughout the year, excitement runs high in the villages to see who will be chosen. The boys selected are meticulously groomed, and must grow their hair long in time for the festival. The procession involves the three kings wearing jeweled red
velvet robes and crowns, riding white horses decked with flowers and fine cloth, and they are shaded by colorful
parasols, with a retinue of hundreds. The procession ends at the local church built in 1581, and in its central window a large white star hangs, and colored banners stream out across the square from those around it. Inside, the church will have been decorated with
garlands. After presenting their gifts and reverencing the altar and Nativity scene, the kings take special seats of honor and assist at the High Mass. To the
St. Thomas Christians of
Kerala, Epiphany is known by its Syriac name
Denha. St. Thomas Christians, like other Eastern Christians, celebrate
Denha as a great feast to commemorate the Baptism of Jesus in the river Jordan. The liturgical season
Denhakalam ('Weeks of Epiphany') commemorates the second revelation at the Baptism and the subsequent public life of Jesus.
Denha is celebrated on January 6 by the
Syro-Malabar Church in two ways –
Pindiperunnal ('
Plantain trunk feast') and
Rakkuliperunal ('Feast with a night bath').
Ireland The Irish call the day the Feast of the Epiphany or traditionally
Little Christmas or "Women's Christmas" (Irish: ''''). On Nollaig na mBan, women traditionally rested and celebrated for themselves after the cooking and work of the Christmas holidays. The custom was for women to gather on this day for a special meal, but on the occasion of Epiphany accompanied by wine, to honor the Miracle at the
Wedding at Cana. Today, women may dine at a restaurant or gather in a
pub in the evening. They may also receive gifts from children, grandchildren or other family members on this day. Other Epiphany customs, which symbolize the end of the
Christmas season, are popular in Ireland, such as the burning the sprigs of Christmas
holly in the fireplace which have been used as decorations during the past twelve days. In Ireland, certain traditions celebrate Epiphany to conclude the Twelfth Night of Christmas, and Christmas decorations should not be removed before this day. In
Italian folklore and folk customs, the
Befana (the name being a corruption of the word
Epifania) is a
witch-like old woman who delivers gifts to children throughout
Italy on Epiphany Eve (the night of January 5) in a similar way to
Santa Claus or the
Three Magi. The Befana is a widespread tradition among
Italians and thus has many names. She is a part of both popular national culture and traditional folk culture and is akin to other figures who roam about sometime during the
Twelve Days and reward the good, punish the bad, and receive offerings. The Befana is a mysterious, contradictory figure of unclear origins. The legend told of her is that, having missed her opportunity to bring a gift to the child Jesus together with the Biblical Magi, she now brings gifts to other children on that night. This character is enhanced by the fact that she is overall neglected by scholars but is the subject of much speculation by the ones who do mention her. Pre-Christian, Christian, and syncretism of the two have all been postulated as explanations of her origins. In some parts of Italy, especially the central regions,
mumming takes place on Epiphany eve. Dolls are made of her and effigies are burnt and bonfires are often lit. She brings gifts to good children, typically sweets, candies or toys, but coal to bad children. She is usually portrayed as a
hag riding a broomstick through the air wearing a black shawl and is covered in soot because she enters the children's houses through the chimney. She is often smiling and carries a bag or hamper filled with candy, gifts, or both. She is not only loved but also feared and mocked, particularly by children. Written records of the Befana and Befanata date to the Middle Ages. Her origins are the subject of speculation by scholars who have variously proposed they lie in paganism, Christianity, or a mix of the two. John B. Smith said she, like her High German counterpart Perchta, is nothing more than the personification of Epiphany invented by medieval Christians who had a tendency to personify feast and fast days while
Jacob Grimm found it not credible that two separate cultures would personify a feast day as a supernatural figure ("a name in the calendar had caused the invention of a supernatural being") and concluded it was far more likely that the Befana and Perchta were pre-Christian in origin and that they blended with the Christian holiday name. It has been pointed out that there was "a clear attempt to Christianize the disturbing female character by transforming her into the female personification of the feast." Generally the pre-Christian origin is the one most proposed and the Befana is often said to be a goddess or the remnant of one, though what culture and time period she comes from has been less uniform. Cultures that have been proposed include Roman, Celtic, Neolithic farmers, and Paleolithic hunter-gatherers. However, in some parts of today's Italian state, different traditions exist, and instead of the
Befana it is the three Magi who bring gifts. in
Sardinia, for example, where local traditions and customs of the Hispanic period coexist, the tradition of the
Biblical Magi (in
Sardinian language, '''') bringing gifts to children is very present.
Jordan Thousands of
Jordanian Christians, tourists and pilgrims flock to
Al-Maghtas site on the
east bank of the
Jordan River in January every year to mark Epiphany, where large masses and celebrations are held. : :
These things took place in Bethany beyond the Jordan, where John was baptising. The site has then seen several archaeological digs, four papal visits and state visits and attracts tourists and pilgrimage activity. Approximately 81,000 people visited the site in 2016, mostly European, American and Arab tourists.
Latvia Epiphany is known in Latvia as '
(Three Kings Day) by Catholics or ' (Star Day) by Lutherans after the custom of star singing, and the Star of
Bethlehem which led the Magi to the Christ Child. In the past bright stars of fabric were sewn onto the background of dark colored quilts, representing the night sky. Epiphany was a day of enjoyment, spent in horse-drawn open
sleighs, and these quilts would then be taken along to cover the laps of the merry riders. If Epiphany Day was bright and mild and the sun "warmed the horses' backs" it was said that the coming year would bring only peace. If the night before Epiphany saw clear starry skies, it meant Latvia could expect a fine harvest in the coming Summer.
Weaving and wood-cutting were "bad luck", giving both men and women a proper holiday, and if a dog was heard barking on Epiphany one ought to look for his or her future spouse in that same direction. Special three-corner apple cakes are eaten on this day, and as in other countries, star singing, visiting and house blessings have long been popular.
Lebanon Epiphany, celebrated on January 6, is the feast for the Roman Church that commemorates the visit of the Wise Men, the magi. However, in the Maronite Church, in accordance with the ancient tradition, it represents the public announcement of Jesus' mission when he was baptized in the Jordan by John the Forerunner, also known as "John the Baptist". On the occasion, Lebanese Christians pray for their deceased. It is celebrated by attending church most often to the midnight mass by the
maronites. The reason why it is at midnight is because the Christ will be passing to bless homes, also Lebanese Christians who gathered for the mass congratulate each other on that day by saying: "El Deyim Deyim" () which translates as "The permanent is permanent". They also mix dough made out of water and flour only and it rises outdoors with no yeast by being blessed. On this day the priest throws a wooden cross into the water, to symbolize the baptism of Christ. Men jump into the cold water to retrieve the cross, and whoever retrieves it is believed to be blessed during the whole year. These are very festive gatherings with many spectacles attending the sites. Special food jelly from pork and beef meat and bones called "pacha" (пача) or "pivtii" (пивтии) is prepared the day before, but served on the day after Epiphany, together with warm local
brandy,
rakija (ракија). Epiphany is a non-working day for the Orthodox believers in North Macedonia.
Malta In Malta, Epiphany is commonly known as
It-Tre Re (The Three Kings). Until the 1980s, January 6 was a public holiday, but today the Maltese celebrate Epiphany on the first Sunday of the year. Children and students still take January 6 as a school holiday and Christmas decorations are lit up through this day on most public streets. The Maltese also have a long-standing custom of presenting concerts in honor of Epiphany, including the prestigious annual Epiphany Concert organized by the Malta Council for Culture and Arts, performed by the
National Orchestra. In 2010, the Epiphany Concert which used to be held before a select audience, was opened to the general public following a decision by the
President. The Ministry of Education and Culture therefore moved from the venue from the
Palace to the historic Sacra Infermeria, also known as the Mediterranean Conference Centre.
Qagħaq tal-Għasel or
tal-Qastanija (Maltese honey rings) are typically served at Epiphany in Malta.
Mexico The evening of January 5 marks the
Twelfth Night of Christmas and is when the figurines of the three Biblical Magi are added to the nativity scene. Traditionally in Mexico, as with many other Latin American countries, Santa Claus does not hold the cachet that he does in the United States. Rather, it is the Magi who are the bearers of gifts, who leave presents in or near the shoes of small children. Mexican families also commemorate the date by eating
Rosca de reyes. In modern Mexico however, and particularly in the larger cities and in the North, local traditions are now being observed and intertwined with the greater North American Santa Claus tradition, as well as with other holidays such as Halloween, due to Americanization via film and television, creating an economy of gifting tradition that spans from Christmas Day until January 6.
Peru Peru shares Epiphany customs with Spain and the rest of Latin America. Peruvian national lore holds that
Francisco Pizarro was the first to call
Lima "Ciudad de los Reyes" (City of the Kings) because the date of the Epiphany coincided with the day he and his two companions searched for, and found, an ideal location for a new capital. Even more popular in Peru than gift giving is the custom of the
Bajada de Reyes when parties are held in honor of the taking down of family and public nativity scenes, and carefully putting them away until the next
Christmas.
Philippines In the Philippines, Epiphany is known as "Three Kings' Day" and
Pasko ng Matatanda ("Feast of the Elderly"), and marks the official close of the country's
Christmas season. As a day of feasting, some
Filipinos celebrate with gift-giving and greet each other "Happy Three Kings!".
Poland , Poland In Poland, Epiphany, or '''' (Three Kings) is celebrated in grand fashion, with huge parades held welcoming the Wise Men, often riding on
camels or other animals from the zoo, in
Warsaw,
Poznań and over 2,000 other cities. The Wise Men pass out sweets, children process in
renaissance wear, carols are sung, and living nativity scenes are enacted, all similar to celebrations in Italy or Spain, pointing to the country's Catholic heritage. Children may also dress in colors signifying Europe, Asia, and Africa (the supposed homes of the Wise Men) and at the end of the parade route, church leaders often preach on the spiritual significance of the Epiphany. In 2011, by an act of Parliament, Epiphany was restored as an official non-working national public holiday in Poland for the first time since it was canceled under
communism fifty years earlier. Poles though take small boxes containing
chalk, a gold ring,
incense and a piece of
amber, in memory of the gifts of the Magi, to church to be blessed. Once at home, they inscribe "K+M+B+" and the year with the blessed chalk above every door in the house, according to tradition, to provide protection against illness and misfortune for those within. The letters, with a cross after each one, are said to stand either for the traditionally applied names of the Three Kings in Polish – Kacper, Melchior and Baltazar – or for a Latin inscription meaning "Christ bless this house." They remain above the doors all year until they are inadvertently dusted off or replaced by new markings the next year. On January 6, as in much of Europe, a Polish style Three Kings cake is served with a coin or
almond baked inside. The one who gets it is king or queen for the day, signified by wearing the paper crown that decorates the cake. According to Polish tradition this person will be lucky in the coming year. Recipes vary by region. Some serve a French-type
puff pastry cake with
almond paste filling, others favor a
sponge cake with almond cream filling, and yet others enjoy a light
fruitcake. Epiphany in Poland also signals the beginning of
zapusty or
carnival time, when
pączki (
doughnuts) and
chrust (
Angel wings) are served.
Portugal In Portugal, Epiphany, January 6, is called ''
(Day of the Kings), during which the traditional Bolo Rei (King cake) is baked and eaten. Plays and pageants are popular on this day, and parents often hold parties for their children. Epiphany is also a time when the traditional Portuguese dances known as Mouriscadas
and Paulitos'' are performed. The latter is an elaborate stick dance. The dancers, who are usually men but may be dressed as women, manipulate sticks or staves (in imitation swords) in two opposing lines. It is a tradition too in Portugal for people to gather in small groups and to go from house to house to sing the '
(meaning "Kings") which are traditional songs about the life of Jesus. The singers also bring greetings to the owners of the house. After singing for a while outside, they are invited in, and the owners of the house offer them sweets, liqueurs, and other Epiphany delicacies. These ' usually begin on Epiphany eve and last until January 20. Portuguese village of
Vale de Salgueiro encourages children, some as young as five, to smoke in a tradition that does not have clear roots.
Romania and Moldova In Romania and Moldova, Epiphany is called
Boboteaza. In south-eastern Romania, following religious services, men participate in winter horse races. Before the race, the men line up with their horses before the priest, who will bless them by sprinkling them with green branches that have been dipped into Epiphany holy water. Sometimes people desire to have this blessing for themselves as well. Winning the Epiphany race is a great honor for both horse and rider, while the post-race celebrations, win or not, are highly festive. As in other
Eastern Orthodox heritage countries, water rites play a special role on this day. A unique piece of Romanian folk wisdom holds that if a girl slips on ice – or, better yet, falls into water – on Epiphany, she will surely marry before the year is out. In
Transylvania (
Erdély/
Siebenbürgen),
Lutheran and
Reformed Christians of
Hungarian and
Saxon descent celebrate Epiphany with star singing and house blessing, as in
Central Europe. The star singing custom had long ago spread throughout Romania and the Republic of Moldova. Here the star, called
Steaua, today resembles a stained-glass lantern and features an Orthodox icon at its center, a tradition pointing to the blending of both East and West which characterizes the two nations on the river
Prut.
Russia The Epiphany, celebrated in Russia on January 19 (January 6 according to the traditional
Old Style Julian calendar) marks the
baptism of Jesus in the
Eastern Orthodox Church. As elsewhere in the Orthodox world, the Russian Church conducts the ceremony of the
Baptism of the Lord (), involving the rite of the
Great Blessing of the Waters, also known as "the Great Sanctification of the Water" on that day (or on the eve before). The priest-led procession could simply proceed to the
font, Historians portray the blessing of the waters procession as the most magnificent of the annual Czar's court's ceremonies, comparable only to such special events as royal coronations and weddings. After a
divine liturgy in the
Kremlin's
Dormition Cathedral, a procession, led by the Czar and by the
Patriarch of Moscow would proceed to the frozen
Moskva River. An ice-hole would have been made in the ice, called ''
Iordan''' ( in memory of the Jordan River), over which a small
gazebo would have been erected and decorated with holy icons, one of which would depict the
Baptism of Christ. The Patriarch would immerse his cross into the river's water; and sprinkle the Czar, his
boyars, and the banners of Czar's army's regiments with the holy water. A load of
holy water would then be brought back to the Kremlin, to be used in blessing the Czar's palace. A similar ceremony would later take place in the 19th century in the Imperial Russian capital, Saint Petersburg. On a smaller scale, similar events would take place in the parishes throughout the nation. Believing that on this day water becomes holy and is imbued with special powers, Russians cut holes called
iordani () in the ice of lakes and rivers, often in the shape of a cross, to bathe in the freezing water. This practice is said to have become popular comparatively recently; it was fairly uncommon in czarist times, but has flourished since the 1990s. Participants in the ritual may dip themselves under the water three times, honoring the
Holy Trinity, to symbolically wash away their sins from the past year, and to experience a sense of
spiritual rebirth. Orthodox priests are on hand to bless the water, and rescuers are on hand to monitor the safety of the swimmers in the ice-cold water. Other attendees limit their participation in the Epiphany rites to those conducted inside churches, where priests perform the Great Blessing of Waters, both on Epiphany Eve and Epiphany (Theophany) proper. The water is then distributed to attendees who may store it to use in times of illness, to bless themselves, family members, and their homes; or to drink. Some Russians think any water – even from the taps of the kitchen sink – poured or bottled on Epiphany becomes holy water, since all the water in the world is blessed this day. In the more mild climate of the southern Russian city of
Sochi meanwhile, where air and water temperatures both hover in the low to mid 10-degree Celsius range (50 degrees Fahrenheit) in January, thousands of people jump into the
Black Sea at midnight each year on Epiphany and begin to swim in celebration of the feast.
Slovenia In Slovenia, especially in the Western part of the country, during the first day of the year and on Epiphany, children go from house to house because villagers will give them almonds, dried figs, nuts, cookies or other good things that they have at home.
Spain in Madrid. In Spain and some Latin American countries, Epiphany day is called '''' i.e., the day when a group of Kings or Magi, as related in the second chapter of the
Gospel of Matthew, arrived to worship and bring three gifts to the baby Jesus after following a star in the heavens. In Spanish tradition on January 6, three of the Kings: Melchior, Gaspar, and Balthazar, representing Arabia, the Orient, and Africa, arrived on horse, camel and elephant, bringing respectively gold, frankincense and myrrh to the baby Jesus. Before going to bed on the eve of January 6, children polish their shoes and leave them ready for the Kings' presents to be put in them. The next morning presents will
appear under their shoes, or if the children are deemed to have misbehaved during the year, coal (usually a lump of hard sugar candy dyed black, called Carbón Dulce). Most towns in Spain arrange colorful
parades representing the arrival of the
Reyes Magos to town so children can see them on their camels or carriages and receive sweets and toys thrown to the crowds from the paraders, before they go to bed. The oldest of these parades is held in
Alcoy,
Alicante (
Valencian Community) which has hosted an annual parade since 1885. Sweet wine, nibbles, fruit and milk are left for the Kings and their camels. In Spain, children typically receive presents on this day, rather than on Christmas, though this tradition has changed lately, and children now receive presents on both days. The Epiphany bread/cake is known as
Roscón,
Tortell de Reis in Catalan, and in Mexico as
Rosca de reyes.
Sweden Epiphany is a
public holiday in Sweden, where it is known as '''' ("Thirteenth Day Yule"), as January 6 is the thirteenth day after Christmas Eve, the main day on which Christmas is celebrated in Sweden. However, the end of the Christmas celebration is on January 13,
St. Knut's Day, more commonly known as "Twentieth Day Yule" (or "Twentieth Day Knut").
United States s of the type locally called "French style" on display at the chain bakery/restaurant "La Madeline" branch in
Carrollton, New Orleans. They come with cardboard "crowns" to be worn by whoever gets the slice with the token and becomes monarch of the event. In
Louisiana, Epiphany is the beginning of the
Carnival season, during which it is customary to bake
King Cakes, similar to the Rosca mentioned above. It is round in shape, filled with cinnamon, glazed white, and coated in traditional carnival color sanding sugar. The person who finds the doll (or bean) must provide the next king cake. The interval between Epiphany and
Mardi Gras is sometimes known as "king cake season", and many may be consumed during this period. The Carnival season begins on King's Day (Epiphany), and there are many traditions associated with that day in Louisiana and along the Catholic coasts of
Mississippi,
Alabama, and
Florida. King cakes are first sold then, Carnival
krewes begin having their balls on that date, and the first
New Orleans krewe parades in street cars that night. In
Puerto Rico, Epiphany is an important festive holiday, and is commonly referred as ''
or Three Kings' Day''. It is traditional for children to fill a box with fresh grass or hay and put it underneath their bed, for the Wise Men's horses or camels, depending on the household. Sometimes, the grass is cut fresh by the children on January 5. Many artisans make commemorative traditional figures of the Magi on horseback. The Three Wise Men of Puerto Rico, according to local tradition, arrive on horseback instead of camels, as in other countries where the custom is also ingrained. The Three Wise Men will then take the grass to feed the horses and will leave gifts under the bed as a reward. In other households, the grass is "eaten" by the Magi's transport bedside to "strengthen them for the long night's journey", while the presents are delivered by the Magi as they did for child Jesus. These traditions are analogous to the customs of children leaving mince pies and sherry out for
Father Christmas in Western Europe or leaving milk and cookies for
Santa Claus like the rest of the United States. On the day before the feast (January 5), the "Rosario de Reyes" or "Promesa de Reyes" is celebrated with songs (locally called "aguinaldos") thanking or asking the Kings for their blessing, usually before a little table with figures of the Nativity and the Kings or with the Kings alone and their camels or horses. However, recently public concerts have also become popular. This celebration is often accompanied with a chicken soup ("asopa'o"), snacks, and drinks. In
Colonial Virginia, Epiphany, or 12th Night, was an occasion of great merriment, and was considered especially appropriate as a date for balls and dancing, as well as for weddings. On 12th Night, Great Cake was prepared, consisting in two giant layers of fruitcake, coated and filled with
royal icing. Custom dictated that the youngest child present cut and serve the cake and whoever found the bean or prize in the Twelfth Night cake was crowned "King of the Bean" similar to the European king cake custom. In
Erie, Pennsylvania, as part of an Epiphany party a king is hidden in a cake, and whichever child finds the king in the cake is crowned king for the day.
Tarpon Springs, Florida, is known for elaborate religious ceremonies related to the
Greek Orthodox Church, the most notable being the Epiphany celebration. The
Metropolitan of Atlanta usually presides over the blessings, sometimes joined by the
Archbishop of America. The blessings conclude with the ceremonial throwing of a wooden cross into the city's Spring Bayou, and boys ages 16 to 18 diving in to retrieve it. Whoever recovers the cross is said to be blessed for a full year. Following the blessings, the celebration moves to the Sponge Docks where food and music are made part of the festivities. Tarpon Springs has given itself the nickname Epiphany City. The celebration attracts Greek Americans from across the country, In
Manitou Springs, Colorado, Epiphany is marked by the Great Fruitcake Toss.
Fruitcakes are thrown, participants dress as kings, fools, etc., and competitions are held for the farthest throw, the most creative projectile device, etc. As with customs in other countries, the fruitcake toss is a sort of festive symbolic leave-taking of the Christmas holidays until next year, but with humorous twist, since fruitcake is considered with a certain degree of derision in most of the United States, and is the source of many jokes.
Wales On January 6, the Feast of the Epiphany has long been an important celebration in Wales, known there as ''''. In
Glamorganshire, a huge loaf or cake was prepared, which was then divided up into three parts to represent
Christ, the
Virgin Mary and the Biblical Magi. A large company of neighbours was invited to be present at the dividing of the cake in which rings were concealed. Whoever discovered a ring in his piece of cake (or bread) was elected as King or Queen and presided over the day's festivities. January 6 was the
old-calendar Christmas Day and many of the festivities connected with it lasted well over a century after the
new calendar was introduced in 1752. Wales shares other Twelfth Night customs with its neighbor, England, including the
Yule log, and the
wassail to wish farmers a good harvest in the coming year, but here the Yule log's ashes were saved then buried along with the seeds planted in the ensuing spring to ensure a good harvest, while the wassail bowl was taken to the house of newlyweds or to a family which had recently come to live in the district and songs sung outside the house door. Those inside the house would recite or sing special verses, to be answered by the revelers outside. Another Welsh custom associated with Epiphany was the Hunting of the Wren. A group of young men would go out into the countryside to capture a
wren (the smallest bird in the British Isles after the goldcrest/firecrest). The bird would then be placed in a small, decorated cage and carried around from house to house and shown in exchange for money or gifts of food and drink. (If a wren could not be found then a
sparrow would have to undergo the ritual.) ==References==