Exploring the Ancient Origins of the Three Magi - Unveiling Their True Identities
The yarn about the Three Wise Guys becomes interesting in the New Testament - particularly in Matthew's Gospel. These mates were spun as insightful sorcerers and divination experts. They managed to spot the Son of God in the newly arrived Jesus and felt compelled to furnish him with some nifty presents.
So, who were these guys, you ask?
Well, they followed a blinding star to Bethlehem and ended up bestowing gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh on baby Jesus. Frankincense, an expensive aromatic resin, was seen as a marker of distinguished favor back in the day.
These guys presented the frankincense to Jesus as a gift to the Divine within him. They used myrrh as a present for the mortal side of Jesus, while the kingly aspect received gold.
The number of these three has been a topic of dispute for quite some time. The exact count is usually based on the number of gifts offered to Jesus. Their names - Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar - first popped up in the 6th century. It's worth noting that these names originated from later Christian tradition, not the biblical text itself.
Rumor has it that Caspar was an African, Melchior a European, and Balthazar an Asian. Each of them was thought to be a separate king from a different land.
Now, onto the relics of these fellas. These were found in the 3rd century.
In 344, the Bishop of Milan, Eustrogius, ferried the relics of the three Magi from Constantinople to Milan. Several centuries later, in 1164, the Holy Roman Emperor, Frederick Barbarossa, snatched all the sacred Milanese relics, including the relics of the three Magi. These were given to his pal, the Bishop of Cologne, Reinald von Dassel.
In the Middle Ages, a sacred artifact wasn't just a spiritual token, but it brought in the cash too. The faithful streamed to view these precious relics, and the money flowed accordingly. Bishop Reinald proudly carried the relics to Cologne, where they still can be found today.
NIkolas the Verdun, a famous goldsmith, created a reliquary for the relics of the three Magi in 1181. The reliquary resembles a miniature basilica and stands 220 cm tall, 110 cm wide, and 153 cm high. Scenes from Jesus' life adorn its walls, with each figure made from gilded silver.
Since such a celestial piece of art deserved a suitable abode, construction on a grand cathedral in Cologne started on August 15, 1248. Nearly 800 years have passed, but the relics of the three Magi still reside in the cathedral in their fabulous reliquary.
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Sources:
• The Christmas Story - Everything You Need to Know About the Wise Men. (n.d).• ISBOUTS, J. (2018, December 30). Who Were the Three Magi?• Sanidopoulos, J. (1970, January 01). The Relics of the Three Magi.• Wikipedia. (2020, December 22). Biblical Magi.
Enrichment Data:- Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar are traditionally known as the three Magi or Wise Men who visited the infant Jesus according to the Gospel of Matthew. However, the Bible itself does not name them or specify that there were exactly three; this number is inferred from the three gifts mentioned: gold, frankincense, and myrrh[3]. Their names and detailed identities come from later Christian tradition, not from the biblical text.- The origins and names of the Magi can be traced back to the 8th and 9th centuries. In Christian writings, they were often portrayed as kings from Asia, Africa, and Europe, symbolizing Jesus' influence extending beyond Israel.- The Magi's visit marked the Epiphany, symbolizing the recognition of Jesus by the Gentiles and the manifestation of Jesus' divinity. Each gift had symbolic meaning, with gold representing kingship, frankincense symbolizing divinity or priestly role, and myrrh foreshadowing Jesus' crucifixion.
- In addition to the biblical accounts, the Magi, traditionally known as Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar, are often associated with being wise men who read books about history and spirituality, as their visit to the infant Jesus signified the extension of Jesus' influence beyond Israel and the recognition of his divinity.
- Through the centuries, these Magi have been enshrined not only as spiritual figures in the history of Christianity but also as symbols of entertainment, as their stories have been reimagined in various forms, including books and art, captivating generations with their mysteries and symbolism.
