In the Gospel of Matthew, magi coming right from the East guided by the Morning star after years of searches concluding in the imminent coming into this world of a messiah, carrying with them offerings for the Divine Christ Child, that is incense, gold and myrrh, are mentionned for the first time. They are then anonymous, on undertermined number and are just scholars. It is only from the 3rd century that tradition made kings out of them and with time they end up to be established in number three, a sacred and symbolical number. Their names and origins change depending of Christianity branches and parts of the world, but for us Western people, we know them as Caspar ( the youngest and beardless one, king of India, represents Asia), Melchior (the oldest and white-bearded and haired one, king of Persia, represents Europe) and Balthazar (dark-faced and bearded, king of Arabia or Ethiopia depending of versions, represents Africa). In some regions of the world, they're the ones who bring presents instead of Santa Claus. But in every case, we celebrate their arrival during the twelvth day of Christmas, the Epiphany. In France we eat the galette des rois ("kings cake"), but in some places such as Puerto Rico they say they bring gifts like a second Christmas. In any case for arriving that late they sure must have gotten lost

The Three Wise Men © Christianism
Drawing and idea © me