Colombia, as elsewhere in the Catholic world, is today celebrating Epiphany, or the Day of the Three Kings. This holiday, which commemorates the visit of the three Wise Men – Melchior, Gaspar, and Balthasar – to the infant Jesus in Bethlehem, has become both a religious and family celebration in the country, with important traditions including the famous Rosca de Reyes cake.
What is Epiphany, or Three Kings Day?
The term “Epiphany” comes from the Greek word meaning “to reveal” or “manifestation.” In Catholicism, it commemorates the journey and visit of the Biblical Magi, or Three Kings, to the infant Jesus.
While the Bible refers to the Three Kings only as “magi” or “wise men,” Christian tradition assigns them the names Melchior, Gaspar, and Balthasar. Each Magus is associated with a specific origin and gift: Melchior, often depicted as the oldest, represents Europe or Persia and brings gold; Gaspar, typically portrayed as younger, represents Asia or India and offers frankincense; and Balthasar, commonly shown as being dark-skinned, represents Africa or Arabia and presents myrrh.
The visit of the Three Kings symbolizes both faith and the first manifestation of Jesus, the long-expected Messiah, to the Gentiles, the non-Israelite people who did not worship God.
Rosca de Reyes, Colombia’s Epiphany cake
Rosca de Reyes, also known as “Three Kings Bread” or “Kings Cake,” is a traditional sweet bread closely associated with the celebration of Epiphany or Three Kings Day in Colombia and elsewhere in Latin America, as well as in Spain.
The origins of Rosca de Reyes can be traced back to medieval Europe, with its roots dating to around the 14th century. Some historians link its beginnings to Roman Saturnalia celebrations, where a bean hidden in a cake determined the “king” of the festivities. It was brought to the Americas by the Spanish conquistadors, alongside other Catholic traditions and celebrations.
Rosca de Reyes is a ring-shaped sweet bread traditionally adorned with colorful decorations. Its circular shape symbolizes a crown and is made with flour, sugar, milk, butter, eggs, yeast, orange blossom water, and citrus zest. The festive bread is often topped with candied fruits, representing jewels or desert vegetation.
A small figurine of baby Jesus is hidden inside the bread. Whoever finds the figurine in their slice is symbolically crowned king for the day.
The Rosca de Reyes tradition brings family and friends together to celebrate the arrival of the Three Kings and enjoy love and unity.
Three Kings Day in Bogota
In Colombia’s capital Bogota, an enduring tradition celebrates Epiphany and Three Kings Day. Since 1914, Colombians have gathered at the Church of Our Lady of Egypt in the Barrio Egipto to mark the holiday with an “auto sacramental.” This is a type of religious play, introduced by the Spanish, which depicts the visit of the Wise Men to the manger where Jesus was born.