What I like to share the most, besides the tips, are the traditions of Portugal. So let's discover and learn one more tradition?!
Twelfth Night Traditions in Portugal
This Catholic date is associated with the Christmas tradition, which says that three wise men from the East visited the Baby Jesus on the night of January 5th to 6th, after being guided by a star.
The Three Kings were called Belchior, Baltazar and Gaspar, and they brought gold, incense and myrrh as a gift to the Infant Jesus.
Tradition dictates that on this day the family gets together again to celebrate the end of the Christmas festivities. The Twelfth Night foods are: cod with boiled potatoes, bolo-rei, sponge cake, French toast, dreams, among other Christmas delicacies.
It is also the day on which the "Janeiras" are sung, which starts after Christmas and continues until Epiphany.
The day after Twelfth Night, families begin removing the Christmas ornaments that decorate homes during the Christmas season.
To enjoy reading a little of this story, I'll share a recipe for the traditional bolo-rei if you're willing to do so.
Click below to download the recipe.
You also have the option to buy it. In Lisbon you will find several iconic patisseries such as: Pastelaria Benard for €21.50, Confeitaria Nacional for €16.50 – €43.00, Pastelaria Garrett for €27.80, and in others as well as Pastelaria Alcôa, Pastelaria Batalha, Pastelaria Restelo (O Bald), Pastelaria Versailles, ChefPanda, among others. All indicated, you will find in the social networks of the Lisbon Tips (Dicas de Lisboa).
Poems
Dia de Reis
Vieram os três Reis Magos Das suas terras distantes Guiados por uma estrela, Cujos raios cintilantes Os levaram ao Deus Menino Que, a sorrir de bondade, Recebeu os seus presentes E os acolheu com amizade.
Os Três Reis Magos
Já os três reis são chegados À lapinha de Belém A adorar o Deus Menino Nos braços da Virgem Mãe.
Os três reis do Oriente Vieram com grande cuidado Visitar o Deus Menino Por uma estrela guiados.
A linda estrela os guiou Até à sua cabaninha Onde estava o Deus Menino Deitadinho na palhinha.
Venho dar as Boas Festas As Boas Festas d' Alegria Que vos manda o Rei da Glória Filho da Virgem Maria.
Tips for family enjoyment
The kids will love to unleash their creativity on this family day. How about we take this suggestion from LIDL?! DIY Mage King's Crown, there is no King or Queen who doesn't have their shiny, flashy and beautiful crown. On this day of the kings, learn how to make a king/queen crown and wear it on this very important day.
BONUS CURIOSITIES
#curiosidade1 In Brazil, Kings' Day is also celebrated on January 6th. The date celebrates the moment when the wise men of the East met Jesus. This commemoration is held in Brazil by the Catholic Church and is inherited from the Catholic traditions of Portugal.
#curiosidade2 Still following the line of curiosities, have you ever wondered where the name of the wise men came from?! For in, according to the first historical record that mentioned the names of the three magi, it dates back to the year 500, therefore, to the end of the fifth century.
It is a manuscript known as “Excerpta Latina Barbari”, which received this name because its author had a basic knowledge of Greek and Latin, which meant that the document had some errors that compromised the understanding of some information. The author of this manuscript, however, is unknown.
Anyway, this document is important precisely because it is the first to register the names of the wise men: Bitisarea, Melichior and Gathaspa. Hence, therefore, the names Baltasar, Gaspar and Melchior, also called Belchior, emerged.
#curiosity3 Another question we can ask is if the wise men were in fact three? In fact, it is not known for sure. The conclusion that the magicians were three was probably made because of the amount of gifts given to Jesus. There are other Christian traditions, however, which suggest that more than three Magi visited Jesus. A second-century Syrian document, for example, suggests that the number of mages was greater than twelve. And you, what do you think?!
#curiosidade4 Do you know which gifts were delivered by the three wise men and if these gifts had any meaning?! Scholars on the subject say that each of the gifts given by the magicians to Jesus had a meaning:
Myrrh: compound used in embalming, referred to the sacrifice of Christ and his resurrection.
Gold: represented the kingship of Jesus Christ, underscoring the fact that he was the king of the Jews.
Incense: used in temples, it was an exclusive gift to priests, thus reinforcing the divinity of Christ.
#curiosidade5 Tradition of the Three Kings Day is celebrated in addition to Portugal and Brazil, also in countries such as Spain, Italy, Finland, France, Germany, among others.
If you have something else to share with us, we'd love to read it in the comments.
And for more, The story of the Three Wise Men (who were not three, not kings, not wizards), to access, click here.
Comments