Seamus Hammond
The story of the three wise men, or the three kings, visiting Jesus after his birth with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh is a well-known one, especially at Christmas time. However, some scholars have suggested that the gold mentioned as one of the three gifts of the Magi was actually a type of frankincense, valued as highly as the precious metal, with a strong sandalwood-like aroma. This would mean that the wise men brought three types of incense to Jesus, all of which were deeply linked to the spiritual life, religious worship, and the deceased.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of wise men | 3 or more |
| Names of the wise men | Gaspar, Baldassarre, Artaban |
| Gifts | Gold, Frankincense, Myrrh |
| Gold | Symbol of kingship on earth, virtue, faith, charity |
| Frankincense | Symbol of deity, prayer, holiness, faith |
| Myrrh | Symbol of death, suffering, passion, free will |
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What You'll Learn
The three gifts of gold, incense, and myrrh were appropriate for Jesus as symbols of faith, holiness, and passion
The three gifts of gold, incense, and myrrh were indeed appropriate for Jesus as symbols of faith, holiness, and passion. Gold is the metal of kings, and when presented to Jesus, it acknowledged his right to rule. The wise men knew Jesus was the King of kings, and their gift of gold recognized his authority and sovereignty.
Incense, or frankincense, was also a significant gift, symbolizing prayer and holiness. In ancient times, incense was burned in religious rituals as an offering to the gods. It was used in temple worship, and its sweet fragrance represented the purity and sinlessness of Jesus. The act of burning incense acknowledged the presence of the divine and was a way to honor and worship Jesus.
Myrrh, the third gift, symbolized suffering and passion. In ancient cultures, myrrh was used in embalming and funeral rituals, representing the mortality of Jesus and foreshadowing his ultimate sacrifice on the cross.
The gifts of the wise men were not only valuable in a material sense but also held profound spiritual significance. They recognized and honored the divinity, kingship, and impending sacrifice of Jesus, making them deeply appropriate symbols of faith, holiness, and passion.
While there is debate about the exact nature of the gifts, with some scholars suggesting that the gold mentioned was actually a type of frankincense, the symbolic meaning of the gifts remains unchanged. These gifts, as described in the Bible, have become a cornerstone of Christian tradition and continue to be an integral part of the Christmas narrative.
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Gold symbolises kingship, virtue, and charity
Gold has been a symbol of reverence and wealth in human culture for thousands of years, especially within religion. Its spiritual symbolism, historical usage, and role in rituals and worship are significant. Gold's intrinsic qualities—its rarity, beauty, and resistance to tarnish—have made it a symbol of eternity.
In other religions, gold is also a symbol of purity and the eternal. In Hinduism, gold symbolises purity, wealth, and prosperity, with its luminosity often compared to the radiance of the gods. In Buddhism, gold is seen as a reflection of the sun's pure light, and its incorruptible qualities symbolise the purity of the Dharma. In Islam, gold is associated with prosperity, beauty, and incorruptibility, making it a symbol of purity and the eternal.
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Incense symbolises deity, prayer, and faith
The three gifts of the Magi, or the Three Wise Men, have long been a subject of fascination. The men are said to have travelled from the East, bearing gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to honour the infant Jesus. The gifts are said to have had great spiritual significance, with incense symbolising deity, prayer, and faith.
Incense, or frankincense, was a resin obtained from the bark of plants of the Burseraceae family, native to the Arabian Peninsula and northeastern Africa. It was considered a precious and expensive commodity, and was used in ancient religious ceremonies and rituals. The burning of incense was seen as a welcome offering to the gods, and it was also used in meditation and purification rituals. In the context of the Christian narrative, the gift of incense to Jesus acknowledged his divinity and recognised him as a great High Priest. It also symbolised the purity and holiness of his life, in contrast to the impurity of mankind.
The presentation of incense, along with gold and myrrh, can be seen as an act of faith and worship. The gifts are said to coincide with the three theological virtues, with incense representing faith. The act of burning incense as an offering to the divine is a powerful symbol of prayer and devotion.
The story of the Three Wise Men and their gifts has been depicted in art, music, and literature for centuries, and they remain prominent figures in Christian tradition, venerated as saints or martyrs. The spiritual significance of their gifts continues to be a subject of reflection and interpretation.
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Myrrh symbolises death, suffering, and free will
The gifts of the Biblical Magi, or the Three Wise Men, to the newborn Jesus included gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Myrrh, an ingredient in the mixture of spices used to embalm corpses, symbolises death.
Myrrh was used as an embalming ointment and as a penitential incense in funerals and cremations until the 15th century. Ancient Egyptians used myrrh to embalm corpses and Romans burned it as a type of incense at funeral pyres. In the Bible, myrrh is mentioned in John 19:39-40 as a key ingredient in the mixture of spices used to prepare bodies for burial. The Gospel of Matthew (2:11) also mentions the three gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
The symbolic meaning of myrrh is further supported by its derivation from the Greek word for "bitterness", which has been interpreted as a reference to death and suffering. According to the Tradition of the Church Fathers, myrrh symbolises death, while gold and incense symbolise the royalty and divinity of Jesus, respectively. Myrrh is also mentioned in the Bible as being linked to carnal and voluptuous pleasures, paroxystic luxury, and richness, as well as the consummation of love and its climactic union.
However, the interpretation of myrrh as a symbol of death is not universally accepted. Some scholars suggest that the "gifts" were medicinal rather than symbolic. Additionally, myrrh is mentioned in the Book of Isaiah as a sign of "peace" and "completeness", indicating a positive transformation. In light of the Resurrection, myrrh is seen as a symbol of life, representing the perfect communion of Man with God.
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The gifts were medicinal and precious
The three gifts of the Magi – gold, frankincense, and myrrh – are often regarded as symbols of spiritual meaning. Gold is seen as a symbol of kingship on earth, acknowledging Jesus's right to rule as the King of Kings. Frankincense, a resin from the bark of plants in the Burseraceae family, was used in temple worship and symbolised deity and holiness. Myrrh, another resin native to Somalia and Ethiopia, was used as an embalming ointment and symbolised death and suffering.
However, some scholars have suggested that the gifts were not just symbolic but also medicinal and precious. The Syrian King Seleucus I Nicator offered gold, frankincense, and myrrh to Apollo in his temple at Didyma near Miletus in 288/7 BC, which may have set a precedent for the gifts mentioned in the Gospel of Matthew. The gifts were precious materials that were deeply linked to the spiritual life, religious worship, and the deceased, but they also had medicinal properties and were used in the care of the body and health.
Frankincense, for example, was considered a welcome offering to the gods and favoured meditation and purification. It was also mixed with the oil used to anoint the priests of Israel, recognising Christ's divine nature. Myrrh, which was used for embalming, was also a penitential incense burned at funerals and cremations until the 15th century. It was used to anoint the body and prepare it for death, symbolising spiritual death and Christ's sacrifice for sin.
Thus, the gifts of the Magi can be seen as both symbolic and practical, acknowledging Jesus's divinity and royalty while also offering medicinal and preservative properties that would have been valuable to his family, who were unable to secure room in an inn and lived in the insignificant village of Nazareth.
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Frequently asked questions
The three gifts brought by the Three Wise Men were gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
The gifts are said to have had spiritual meanings. Gold symbolised kingship on earth, frankincense (an incense) symbolised deity, and myrrh (an embalming oil) symbolised death.
Some scholars believe that the gifts were medicinal rather than precious materials for tribute.
