On January 6, the twelfth and last day of the Feast of the Nativity commemorates the visit of the three wise men to Bethlehem.
Three Kings Day is observed in many parts of the world, including Puerto Rico, origin of today's artwork.
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Following Yonder Star
On January 6, the twelfth and last day of the Feast of the Nativity commemorates the visit of the three wise men to Bethlehem.
Three Kings Day is observed in many parts of the world, including Puerto Rico, origin of today's artwork.
The tradition of venerating the Magi, perhaps the happiest of Puerto Rican popular celebrations, has its roots in medieval Europe, where the kings were incorporated into nacimientos (commemorative reconstructions of the nativity scene). In Puerto Rico the tradition was expanded and the Magi became year-round personalities. As a group, the three kings also enjoyed unofficial sainthood and were credited with bringing gifts to the children. As their traditional iconography changed to incorporate distinctive Puerto Rican features they were usually depicted riding horses, with the black king, the most generous gift giver, always riding a white horse.
Source: Andrew Connors. Colonial Art from Puerto Rico brochure (Washington, D.C.: National Museum of American Art, 1997).
Pictured: Caban group, active second quarter of the 19th century to first half of 20th century, Los Reyes Magos, about 1875–1900, carved and painted wood with metal and string, 8 1/8 x 11 7/8 x 6 in., Smithsonian American Art Museum, Teodoro Vidal Collection.