![The Three Kings bringing the baby Jesus precious gifts, as depicted in the Golden Gospels of Henry III, circa 1220.](https://blog.nationalmuseum.ch/app/uploads/drei-konige-speyer-300x225.jpg)
From magi to kings
The Three Kings have inspired countless customs and traditions, and no nativity scene would be complete without them. A look at the newborn baby Jesus’ three wondrous visitors and their backstory.
In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking: Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising and have come to pay him homage.
On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
![On this mosaic in the Basilica Sant'Apollinare Nuovo in Ravenna, the Three Magi are shown dressed in the typical garb of Iranian kings, including breeches, fashioned from colourful brocade. They are rushing with their gifts towards Jerusalem, where they expect to find the “king of the Jews”.](https://blog.nationalmuseum.ch/app/uploads/mosaik-drei-konige-300x219.jpg)
![On this altarpiece of 1493 from the Church of St. Peter and Paul in Oberägeri, the Three Kings represent the three continents of Africa, Asia and Europe. And this is the way they would come to be depicted in nativity scenes.](https://blog.nationalmuseum.ch/app/uploads/anbetung-koenige-211x300.jpg)
![Sternsinger going from door to door, circa 1975.](https://blog.nationalmuseum.ch/app/uploads/sternsinger-ziehen-von-haus-zu-haus-300x235.jpg)
![A 20th century crib from the Philippines in which the Kings wear magnificently decorated robes.](https://blog.nationalmuseum.ch/app/uploads/philippinische-krippe-248x300.jpg)
![In this 1970 crib from Peru the long necks of the Three Kings are a nod to the llama.](https://blog.nationalmuseum.ch/app/uploads/koenige-peru-300x300.jpg)
Christmas & Cribs
This year, the traditional Christmas exhibition at the National Museum Zurich will focus on the three kings, who have been a key part of nativity scenes for centuries. The three figures are not always referred to as kings, but sometimes as magi or wise men. So where are they from? And what part do they play in the Christmas story?