Show The Magi The Magi the Magi the name means liter liter- literally literally literally ally wise men or magicians or soothsayers were soothsayers were a priestly order of ancient Media and Persia The three Magi of the east who brought gifts to the manger of Christ were traditionally Melchior Gaspar Caspar and Balthazar three kings of the east The first offered gold the emblem of royalty the second frankincense in token of divinity and the third myrrh in prophetic allusion to the persecutions which awaited the Child Melchior is said to mean king of light Gaspar Caspar or Caspar the tithe white one and Balthazar the tithe lord of treasures Medieval legend calls them the Three Kings of Cologne and the cathedral there claims their relics They are com com- commemorated commemorated commemorated on January 2 3 and 4 and particularly at the Feast of the Epiphany |