Shrine of the Three Holy Kings, circa 1190-1220
Saints depicted in Cologne Cathedral
The three Magi
The Bible tells of three Magi (also referred to as the three wise men or the three Holy Kings) of the East who learned from the appearance of a star in the heavens that a king was to be born in the land of the Jews and set out to pay him homage. They found the Christ Child in Bethlehem and presented their gifts to him.
Since the time of Origen, the number of Magi has been fixed at three because of the fact that they brought three gifts with them: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
According to the legend, the names of the Magi were Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar. Another legend has it that the relics of the Magi were found by St Helena and brought to Milan. Today, part of these relics are kept in Cologne Cathedral and another part in Milan.
In artwork, the three Magi often represent the three ages of man and the three known continents at the time (Europe, Asia, and Africa).
Feast-day: 6 January
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