Anisha Riggs
The three incense brought by the three wise men, or the three Magi Kings, to the infant Jesus were gold, frankincense, and myrrh. These three gifts are laden with symbolic meaning and have been depicted in art and retellings of the biblical story for thousands of years. Both frankincense and myrrh are resins derived from tree sap, and were widely available and practical gifts at the time.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of gifts | 3 |
| Names of the wise men | Balthazar, Caspar, and Melchior |
| Gifts | Gold, frankincense, and myrrh |
| Source of frankincense | Boswellia Sacra trees |
| Region | Ethiopia, northern Somalia, southwestern Oman, southern Yemen |
| Source of myrrh | Commiphora myrrha trees |
| Region | Ethiopia, Kenya, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and Somalia |
| Symbolism of frankincense | Prayer rising to the heavens like smoke |
| Symbolism of myrrh | Death and burial |
| Uses of frankincense | Perfumes, cosmetics, spiritual practices, calming scents in sacred spaces |
| Uses of myrrh | Embalming, cosmetics, incense, medicine, anointing oil for priests, perfume for ceremonial garments |
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What You'll Learn
- Frankincense, myrrh and gold were gifts from the three wise men to the infant Jesus
- Frankincense is a resin obtained from trees of the genus Boswellia
- Myrrh is a resin obtained from the Commiphora myrrha tree
- The gifts were likely medicinal and symbolic
- The three wise men are also known as the three Magi, or three Kings
Frankincense, myrrh and gold were gifts from the three wise men to the infant Jesus
Frankincense and myrrh are resins derived from tree sap, and have been used for thousands of years. They are extracted by making a longitudinal cut in the trunk of the tree, which pierces the gum resin reservoirs within the bark. The sap slowly oozes out and drips down the tree, hardening into tear-shaped droplets on the side of the tree. Harvesters collect the hardened resin after two weeks. Frankincense is obtained from trees of the genus Boswellia, particularly B. sacra, but also B. carteri, B. thurifera, B. frereana and B. bhaw-dajiana. These trees are native to Ethiopia, northern Somalia, southwestern Oman and southern Yemen.
Myrrh comes from the Commiphora myrrha tree, which grows in shallow, rocky soils in Ethiopia, Kenya, Oman, Saudi Arabia and Somalia. The term "myrrh" comes from the Semitic word "murr", which means "bitter". Both frankincense and myrrh were widely available when the three wise men visited the baby Jesus, and would have been considered practical gifts. They were also symbolic: frankincense, often burned, symbolised prayer rising to the heavens like smoke, while myrrh, used in embalming, symbolised death.
The gifts of the three wise men are thought to have been chosen for their symbolic significance. Some theologians believe that gold symbolises faith, incense symbolises holiness, and myrrh symbolises passion. Others believe that the three gifts coincide with the three theological virtues: gold is charity, incense is faith, and myrrh is free will.
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Frankincense is a resin obtained from trees of the genus Boswellia
The process of extracting frankincense involves tapping or milking the Boswellia trees by slashing or stripping the bark. Harvesters make a longitudinal cut in the trunk, which pierces the gum resin reservoirs within the bark. The sap slowly oozes out, drips down the tree, and forms tear-shaped droplets that harden on the side of the tree. After two weeks, the hardened resin is collected. This process has been used to produce frankincense for some 5,000 years.
Frankincense has been widely used in spiritual practices and to create calming scents in sacred spaces. It is burned as incense, with the rising smoke considered a welcome offering to the gods, and is also used in religious ceremonies and rituals to aid in meditation and purification.
In the Christian tradition, the three wise men, or Magi, visited the infant Jesus with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Frankincense was likely presented to baby Jesus to represent his future role as a high priest for believers.
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Myrrh is a resin obtained from the Commiphora myrrha tree
In the Bible, the three wise men, or the three Magi, bring gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to the infant Jesus. Myrrh is a resin obtained from the Commiphora myrrha tree. The Commiphora myrrha tree is native to Somalia and Ethiopia, and it grows best in the shallow, rocky soils of Ethiopia, Kenya, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and Somalia. The tree has spiny branches with sparse leaves that grow in groups of three and can reach 9 feet (3 meters).
To extract the resin, harvesters make a longitudinal cut in the trunk of the tree, piercing the gum resin reservoirs within the bark. The sap slowly oozes from the cut and drips down the tree, forming tear-shaped droplets that harden on the side of the tree. After two weeks, the hardened resin is collected. This process is nearly identical to the method used to extract frankincense from the Boswellia tree.
Myrrh has been valued for thousands of years for its many uses. It has been used in the production of cosmetics, incense, and perfumes, as well as in religious and spiritual practices. In ancient Egypt, myrrh was used in the process of embalming mummies and fumigations. It was also used in the "`holy oil` of the Jews and the Kyphi of the Egyptians. Greek soldiers are said to have taken myrrh into battle to treat their wounds.
In the context of the three wise men, myrrh is believed to symbolize Jesus' humanity, as it was often used in ancient times for the cult of the dead. It is mentioned several times in the Bible, including in the Passion of Christ, where myrrh is first mixed with wine to relieve Jesus' suffering and then used to wrap his body after being deposed from the cross.
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The gifts were likely medicinal and symbolic
The three gifts of the Magi to the infant Jesus—gold, frankincense, and myrrh—were likely medicinal and symbolic in nature. Frankincense and myrrh are resins derived from tree sap, specifically from the trunk of a Burseracea tree. They have been used for thousands of years, with records of the Syrian King Seleucus I Nicator offering gold, frankincense, and myrrh to Apollo in a temple at Didyma near Miletus in 288/7 BC.
Frankincense and myrrh were widely available when the three wise men visited baby Jesus, and they would have been considered practical gifts with many uses. The resins were likely chosen for their symbolic value, with frankincense representing Jesus' future role as a high priest and myrrh symbolising his death and resurrection. In ancient times, myrrh was used in the cult of the dead, including as an embalming ointment, and was believed to be decisive in the victory of life over death. The gifts of the Magi thus recognised Jesus as both divine and human.
The gifts of the Magi were also likely medicinal. Although there is no evidence of their use for supporting the health of pregnant people or infants in the region, it is plausible that the holy family used the gifts for medicinal purposes. Frankincense and myrrh have been traditionally believed to possess medicinal properties, and they continue to be used in modern perfumes and cosmetics.
The gifts of the Magi were thus not just valuable, but also deeply meaningful and filled with spiritual significance. They were chosen to symbolise the recognition of Jesus as King, God, and Saviour. The gold pointed to Jesus' royalty, the frankincense to his divinity, and the myrrh to his humanity and eventual death. The three gifts may also have coincided with the three theological virtues: gold representing charity, incense faith, and myrrh free will.
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The three wise men are also known as the three Magi, or three Kings
The three wise men, also known as the three Magi or three Kings, are a group of wise men who visited Jesus after his birth, bearing gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. The story of the three wise men is derived from the Bible, specifically the Gospel of Matthew, and has become a popular Christmas tradition.
The Magi were likely men who read and believed God's word, sought Jesus, recognised the worth of Christ, humbled themselves to worship Jesus, and obeyed God rather than man. They are described as scholarly foreigners who travelled from the East, most likely Persia or modern-day Iran, following a bright star to Bethlehem. This journey is estimated to have been 800 to 900 miles long.
The three gifts that the Magi presented to the infant Jesus are significant and have been interpreted to symbolise various ideas. Gold is believed to symbolise faith or charity, frankincense to symbolise holiness or faith, and myrrh to symbolise passion or free will. Frankincense, often burned, symbolises prayer rising to heaven like smoke, while myrrh, used in embalming, symbolises death. These interpretations add depth to the gifts presented by the Magi, recognising the divine and human nature of Jesus.
The number of wise men is assumed to be three due to the three gifts mentioned in the Bible, but the Bible does not specify the exact number, and there could have been more. The names of the three wise men are traditionally given as Gaspar or Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar or Balthazar, although these names are not mentioned in the Bible.
The three wise men, or the three Magi, have become prominent figures in Christian tradition and are often depicted in nativity scenes, hymns, art, and legends. They symbolise the expression of various ideas, symbols, and themes within the Christian faith and are venerated as saints or martyrs in many Christian communities.
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Frequently asked questions
The three wise men, or three Magi, brought gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to the infant Jesus.
Frankincense and myrrh are resins derived from tree sap. They are extracted from the trunk of a Burseracea tree. Frankincense is obtained from the Boswellia tree, and myrrh from the Commiphora myrrha tree.
The gifts are symbolic and practical. Gold symbolises faith or charity, frankincense symbolises holiness or faith, and myrrh symbolises passion or free will. Frankincense is often burned, symbolising prayer, and myrrh is used in embalming, symbolising death.
