Balthazar (magus)


Balthazar
Detail of Balthazar in Adoration of the Kings by Gerard David, c. 1515
Three Magi, Three Kings, Three Wise Men
Venerated inCatholic Church
Eastern Orthodox Church
Lutheranism
CanonizedPre-Congregation
Major shrineShrine of the Three Kings, Cologne Cathedral
Feast6 January (Epiphany)
6 January (date of his death)
AttributesKing bearing gifts, king on a camel, three crowns, dark skin
PatronageEpilepsy, thunder, motorists, pilgrims, playing card manufacturers, sawmen, sawyers, travellers, travelling merchants, Cologne, Germany, Saxony

Balthazar, also called Balthasar, Balthassar, and Bithisarea,[1] was, according to Western Christian tradition, one of the three biblical Magi along with Caspar and Melchior who visited the infant Jesus after he was born. Balthazar is traditionally referred to as the King of Arabia and gave the gift of myrrh to Jesus.[2] In the Catholic Church, he is regarded as a saint (as are the other two Magi).

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference elb was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ "Balthasar". Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved 2023-01-20.