What Is Día De Los Reyes? 6 Facts About Three Wise Men Day In Latin America

What Is Día De Los Reyes? 6 Facts About Three Wise Men Day In Latin America
By Juliana Barrera | Dec 28 2015, 12:48PM EST

Día de los Reyes or Three Wise Men Day is one of the most significant holiday celebrations across Latin America. Known formally as the Feast of the Epiphany, Día de los Reyes commemorates the visit of the three kings or the Magi to Baby Jesus, thereby representing Christ's physical revelation to the gentiles. The celebration is particularly important in Latin America and in some cases takes on greater importance than Christmas. Here are 6 Facts About Three King's Day In Latin America.

1. Bigger Than Santa: In much of Latin America Día de los Reyes or Día de los Reyes Magos is celebrated in particular by children who receive gifts from the three Magi. Often, this tradition is more significant than Santa Claus: children usualluy make lists of gifts they would like. On the night of January 5th, children leave their shoes outside the door along with grass and water for the camels. The next day, children wake up to numerous gifts left by the three kings or the reyes magos.

2. Edible Wreaths: In Spain and Mexico, one of the most important elements of Día de los Reyes is the Rosca de Reyes, or the Wreath of the Kings. A large, oval-shaped cake filled with sweetened dried fruit, the Kings Cake symbolizes a crown. A small white figurine representing Baby Jesus is hidden inside the cake, commemorating the hiding of Jesus from Herod. Whoever gets the slice with the figurine has to host a party on February 2nd or Día de la Candelabria.

3. Lima Discovered: Peru's capital Lima was originally called Ciudad de los Reyes: legend has it that explorer Francisco Pizarro named it so because he discovered the ideal site for the city on January 6th.

More:
http://www.latintimes.com/what-dia-de-los-reyes-6-facts-about-three-wise-men-day-latin-america-361829