The January 6day of the Epiphanysymbolically closes the Christmas period and contains within itself a stratification of meanings which spans centuries of history, religion and popular traditions. In Italy, this date is inextricably linked to the Befana, but its story has roots far beyond the modern imagination. The term Epiphany comes from Greek epiphaneiawhich means “manifestation” or “appearance”, and in the Christian calendar indicates the moment in which Baby Jesus manifests himself to the world through the visit of the Three Wise Men. But long before Christianity, January 6 was already a day full of symbols.
