As people continue to take down Christmas lights and holiday decorations, for many around the world the celebration continues on Jan. 6 with Dia de los Tres Reyes (Three Kings Day) – also known as Feast of the Epiphany.
Three Kings Day is on the 12th day of Christmas, a term popularized by the holiday song of the same name. It refers to the period between the birth of Jesus and the day the three kings (Balthazar, Gaspar and Melchior, also referred to as the “three wise men”) arrived in Bethlehem after following the North Star for 12 days, bringing Jesus gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
The date is also called the feast of lights, referring to the light of Jesus being revealed to the world.
In preparation for Three Kings Day, bakers and families prepare rosca de reyes, which are rings of pan dulce (sweet bread). Although recipes can vary from bakery to bakery or family to family, the basic ingredients typically include flour, yeast, butter, milk, eggs, cinnamon, orange extract, dried fruits and sugar.
Family and friends gather on Three Kings Day to celebrate the holiday with coffee, Mexican-style atole (a hot beverage made with corn dough), music and the cutting of the rosca. The bread is round or oval in shape, is adorned with nuts or dried candied fruits (to symbolize the jewels on the kings’ crowns) and has miniature plastic baby figurines (representing Jesus) hidden inside.
Getting a slice of the rosca with a baby Jesus is reportedly good luck, and the individual is supposed to throw a party with tamales on Día de la Candelaria (Candlemas Day) on Feb. 2.