Many mysteries surround the question of who is who among the Magi. There are numerous theories
Who is who of the Magi? What you need to know
The Three Wise Men have names that almost every child knows, but who they really are is controversial. In fact, scientists still don’t know for sure. In fact, it is not even certain whether they were three men at all or whether they were kings. However, the Three Kings have been known to us since the Middle Ages under the names: Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar. At other times and in other cultures, the three wise men were also known by other names. In Syria, for example, the Three Wise Men are known as Gushnasaph, Larvandad and Hormisdas.
- The bones of the Magi are said to lie in Cologne Cathedral. None other than Emperor Barbarossa is said to have brought the bones to the city on the Rhine in the 12th century to give them to the Archbishop of Cologne, Rainald von Dassel. According to legend, the bones of the Magi were the reason for the construction of Cologne Cathedral. To this day, the bones lie there in a magnificent shrine
- Artists have been working on the impressive Shrine of the Epiphany for over 30 years. Once a year, on January 6, the day of the Three Kings, the shrine is opened. The bones were scientifically examined for the first time in 1864. This is how the approximate age of the three men is known
- Caspar is said to have been around twelve years old, making him the youngest of the three men. He therefore represents youth. Caspar is also depicted as a dark-skinned man who represents Africa.
- Melchior is considered the representative of Europe and his age is said to be between 25 and 30. Melchior stands for the middle of life
- Balthasar, on the other hand, is said to have been the oldest of the Three Wise Men at over 50 years old and represents Asia.
- The Magi thus symbolize both the different stages of life and the different continents – viewed from the perspective and level of knowledge of the time.
The Three Wise Men: Who were they really?
To this day, there is no evidence that they were three men. Experts speculate that the number three came about because of the three different gifts. It is known that the Magi brought gold, frankincense and myrrh to the child. But of course, several people could have brought the same gift or one person could have brought two gifts.
- It is also disputed whether they were actually kings who paid their respects to Jesus. They may also have been wise men, so-called magi or astrologers.
- As already mentioned at the beginning, the Magi offer a seemingly endless number of possible interpretations. Depending on where you read or which pictures you look at, the situation presents itself a little differently.
- What the carol singers collect for when they go from house to house on January 6, however, is undisputed. The children collect money for other children who are not doing so well financially during the Epiphany carol service.
