Ruqayyah Snyder
Epiphany is a Christian celebration that falls on the 6th of January and is a public holiday in many countries, including Austria. The date marks two events in the life of Jesus Christ according to the Bible: the visit of the three wise men or kings to the infant Jesus, and the baptism of Jesus. In Austria, Epiphany is celebrated with singing and graffiti. Specifically, the initials of the three kings — Kaspar, Melchior, and Balthazar — are written in chalk above doorways, in exchange for a small donation to charity.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 6 January |
| Public Holiday | Yes |
| Religious Significance | Celebration of the manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles, the visit of the Three Wise Men to the infant Jesus, and the baptism of Jesus |
| Traditions | Sternsinger (groups of children travelling door-to-door dressed as kings and singing Christmas hymns), writing a special sign in chalk above doorways, burning Christmas trees in a bonfire |
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What You'll Learn
- Epiphany is a public holiday in Austria, celebrated on 6 January
- It commemorates the presentation of the infant Jesus to the three wise men
- The Sternsinger are groups of young people who travel from door to door, dressed as kings and singing in four-part harmony
- The initials of the three wise men are written in chalk above doorways to protect homes
- Epiphany is also the time when people commemorate the baptism of Jesus
Epiphany is a public holiday in Austria, celebrated on 6 January
Epiphany is a public holiday in Austria, celebrated annually on 6 January. It is a Christian celebration that marks two events in the life of Jesus Christ according to the Bible. The first event commemorated is when the three wise men or kings visited the infant Jesus. The second is when St John the Baptist baptised Jesus, marking the start of his ministry when he was about 30 years old. The term 'Epiphany' is derived from the Greek word 'epiphaneia', meaning manifestation or revelation.
In Austria, Epiphany is an occasion for several traditions and rituals. One such tradition is the Sternsinger or star singers, where groups of children or young people dress up as the three kings and travel from door to door, singing Christmas hymns in four-part harmony. They may also bless the homes they visit and receive donations for a charitable cause. Another tradition involves writing a special sign, known as "20*C*M*B*25" in 2025, in chalk above the doorway of houses. This sign, made from the year split in two with the initials of the three wise men—Caspar (or Kaspar), Melchior, and Balthazar—in the middle, is believed to protect the house for the coming year.
Epiphany is also considered the last day of the Christmas celebration in Austria. Many families take down their Christmas tree, burning it in a bonfire, and children get to "plundern" or raid the tree. The "Four Hills" Ski Jumping Tournament also traditionally finishes on Epiphany in Bischofshofen, Austria.
While Epiphany is a public holiday in Austria, it is not a day off everywhere. In some countries, like France, it is not a public holiday, and traditions are observed on the first Sunday in January instead. In other countries, like Denmark, Epiphany was abolished as an official church festival in 1770, although some people continue to celebrate it with certain traditions.
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It commemorates the presentation of the infant Jesus to the three wise men
Epiphany is a Christian celebration that falls on the 6th of January every year. It is a public holiday in many countries, including Austria, and marks two events in Jesus Christ's life, according to the Christian Bible. The first of these events is the presentation of the infant Jesus to the three wise men or kings, also known as the Magi.
The Bible does not mention how many wise men visited Jesus, only that three gifts were given and that they came from the east. The common consensus is that there were between two and twenty wise men, likely Zoroastrian priests. By around 500 AD, three had become the standard number, simply due to the number of gifts mentioned in the Bible. However, it is important to note that the wise men may not have been men or particularly wise, as the term "magi" does not indicate number, gender, or level of wisdom.
In Austria, Epiphany is celebrated with singing and graffiti. Groups of children or young people, known as Sternsinger or star singers, travel from door to door dressed as the three kings and singing Christmas hymns in four-part harmony. They may also bless the homes they visit and receive donations for a designated charity. The initials of the three wise men, Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar, are written in chalk above the doorways of houses, along with the current year, in a tradition that is thought to protect the house for the coming year. For example, the chalk markings for Epiphany 2025 would be "20*C*M*B*25".
Epiphany is also considered the last day of the Christmas celebration in Austria, and many families take down their Christmas tree and burn it in a bonfire. This is a joyous occasion for children, who get to "plundern", or raid the tree, for treats.
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The Sternsinger are groups of young people who travel from door to door, dressed as kings and singing in four-part harmony
Epiphany is a public holiday in Austria, celebrated annually on the 6th of January. It commemorates two events in the life of Jesus Christ according to the Bible: the visit of the three wise men or kings to the infant Jesus, and the baptism of Jesus by St John the Baptist. In Austria, the holiday is marked by the Sternsinger, groups of young people who travel from door to door, dressed as kings and singing Christmas hymns in four-part harmony.
The Sternsinger, or star singers, are a well-known tradition of Epiphany in Austria. These groups of young people, often children, dress up as the Three Magi or Wise Men, who are central to the Epiphany story. By singing and collecting donations for charity, they play an important role in their communities. The Sternsinger may also bless the homes they visit.
The Three Wise Men are believed to have come from the east, bringing gifts to the infant Jesus. While the Bible does not specify their number, their names, or their gender, they are traditionally referred to as Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar. In Austria, it is customary to write the initials of these names, along with the current year, in chalk above doorways. This serves as a reminder of the Wise Men's visit to Jesus and is considered to bring protection to the house for the coming year.
The Sternsinger, dressed as these Wise Men, travel throughout Austrian towns and villages, singing Christmas carols and spreading joy. Their four-part harmony adds a unique musical element to the Epiphany celebrations. The young people's dedication to continuing this tradition ensures that the story of the Epiphany remains alive and cherished in Austria.
In addition to the Sternsinger, Austrian families often take down their Christmas trees on Epiphany, burning them in bonfires. This day also marks the end of the Christmas season, with children enjoying treats and gifts. The celebration of Epiphany in Austria beautifully intertwines religious tradition, community involvement, and festive cheer.
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The initials of the three wise men are written in chalk above doorways to protect homes
Epiphany is a Christian celebration commemorating the presentation of the infant Jesus to the Magi, or the three wise men, and the baptism of Jesus. It is celebrated annually on the 6th of January, twelve days after Christmas Day.
In Austria, one tradition involves the initials of the three wise men, or kings, being written in chalk above doorways. The wise men are given the names Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar. The initials are placed between the current year, for example, "20CMB20", and are believed to protect homes for the coming year. This custom is also practised in parts of Germany.
The arrival of the three wise men is a significant event in the Christian faith, symbolising the tradition of the manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles, as represented by the Magi. The celebration of Epiphany includes singing and processions, with children dressing up as the three wise men and travelling from door to door, singing Christmas hymns and offering blessings. In return, they receive small donations for a designated charity.
Epiphany is a public holiday in Austria, with schools and most businesses closed, and it marks the end of the Christmas celebrations for many families.
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Epiphany is also the time when people commemorate the baptism of Jesus
Epiphany is a Christian holiday commemorating the manifestation of Jesus Christ to the world. The holiday is celebrated annually on January 6 and marks two events in Jesus Christ's life, according to the Christian Bible. The first event was when the three wise men, or kings, visited the infant Jesus. The second event was the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River by St John the Baptist.
Over time, the Western Church has come to focus on commemorating the visitation of the Magi during Epiphany, while the Eastern Churches' celebration of Theophany focuses on Christ's baptism. The Eastern traditions view the baptism of Jesus as a manifestation of Christ as both fully human and fully divine. The Western traditions, on the other hand, emphasise the Magi's visit as the first manifestation of Christ as the saviour of both Gentiles and Jews.
The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, also known as Theophany, is a distinct feast day commemorating the baptism of Jesus. It is observed by the Catholic Church, as well as the Anglican and Lutheran Churches. While it was originally part of the Epiphany celebrations, it is now often celebrated separately, usually on the first Sunday following Epiphany. However, the date can vary depending on the specific denomination and calendar followed.
The baptism of Jesus holds significant divine importance. It symbolises God reclaiming humanity for himself and overcoming the destruction of death, as Jesus took on human nature and walked it out of death through his baptism. This feast day is considered one of the holiest in the liturgical calendar.
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Frequently asked questions
Epiphany is celebrated on the 6th of January every year.
Epiphany is one of the three major Christian celebrations, along with Christmas and Easter. It commemorates two events in the life of Jesus Christ: the visit by the three wise men or kings to the infant Jesus, and the baptism of Jesus by St John the Baptist.
In Austria, Epiphany is marked by several traditions. One common practice is the Sternsinger, where groups of children dress up as the three kings and travel from door to door, singing Christmas hymns and collecting donations for charity. Another tradition involves writing a special sign, made from the year split in two with the initials of the three wise men (20*C*M*B*25), in chalk above doorways to protect the house for the coming year.
Yes, Epiphany is a public holiday in Austria. Schools and most businesses are closed, and people have the day off to celebrate.
The term "Epiphany" is derived from the Greek word "epiphaneia", meaning manifestation. In religious use, it refers to the appearance of a divine being in visible form.
