The Magis, a photo from Fars, East

Photographer's Note

In Poland, like in Germany, they are called Three Kings. And even their names are known: Casper, Melchior and Balthasar. In some countries, they are known as Three Magis or Three Wise Men. We have seen many paintings representing their coming to Bethlehem. But the mediaeval artists had no idea how they looked like. I suppose that they looked like these men. They are also bringing gifts. They are older than biblical Magis.

Processional Frieze on the Terrace of the Apadana Persepolis, Iran 521-465 BCE depicts representatives from 23 different subject nations bringing tribute to the king is a relief that may have been painted at one point.

The magi, better known as the three wise men, are some of the most well-known figures in the Bible. Thanks to the role they play in the traditional Christmas story as mysterious visitors who bring gifts to the newborn Jesus, they are probably more familiar to the general public than far more important New Testament figures, such as the apostle Paul or John the Baptist. Despite their familiarity, they only appear once in the New Testament, in Matt.

Regarding their country of origin, Matthew says nothing more than that the magi hailed from 鍍he East� (Matt 2:1), but most early Christians thought the magi came from Iran. Matthew never says how many there actually were. Since the magi carried three gifts揚old, frankincense, and myrrh預 tradition developed that there were only three magi, each with a single gift.

Much better to see in the large format

aliabazari, holmertz, jhm, johnjmoe, kasianowak, pierrefonds, COSTANTINO, mcmtanyel has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

aliabazari (21271) 2020-01-06 1:19

Hi dear friend Malgorzata
Beautiful facade of Persepolis. Good choice. Good clarity and exposure. Well done. Thank you for sharing.

holmertz (101988) 2020-01-06 1:56

Hello Malgo,
It's a wonderful frieze, probably among the very highlights of ancient art, just as good as anything ever created in ancient Egypt or Greece. It must have been a dream of your lifetime that finally came true when you were here. It is definitely better seen in the large format, although it is rather large for most monitors. It requires some scrolling, but it pays to see it that way. The sharpness is immaculate and the details are so beautiful. But why no WS?
Best regards,
Gert

Silvio1953 (220605) 2020-01-06 3:36

Ciao Cara Malgo, great view of fantastic artworks,splendid sharpness and fine details, very well done, my friend, ciao Silvio

carlo62 (81265) 2020-01-06 3:43

Ciao Malgo
credo proprio che l'ispirazione venga da opere come queste che ci mostri, il numero esatto non lo sapremo mai, sono tutte storie molto simboliche e ogni dettaglio � legato a ci� che i nostri avi hanno voluto dimostrare.
Tanti auguri
Carlo

jhm (211734) 2020-01-06 4:46

Hello malgo,

A very fine picture with all the King's, very conforming for today January 6.
An excellent composition, nice presentation too.
Very well done, TFS.

Best regards,
John

Sergiom (117241) 2020-01-06 7:19

Ciao Malgo,

Ces formes sont tr鑚 iraniennes avec un petit c� 馮yptien parce que les profils sont en vedette. En esp駻ant que Trump ne viennent pas fou et d騁ruise tout.

Amicalement

Serge

Gerrit (62042) 2020-01-06 7:32

Hello Malgo,
One would really hope that a plce like this is not one of the 52 that are listed. What a beautiful and serene piece of art this is,
Thanks and regards,
Gerrit

kasianowak (17672) 2020-01-06 11:30

Czesc Malgosiu
Znowu swiateczny post z Bliskiego Wschodu. :-) Zawsze chcialam zobaczyc te plaskorzezby, od kiedy przeczytalam o nich w ksiace Kapuscinskiego. Bardzo dobre skojarzenie z Trzema Krolami, akurat trzy postacie uwiecznione na twoim zdjeciu wyraznie trzymaja w dloniach dary.
Bardzo ciekawa jest tez twoja notka. Czytalam niedawno ksiazke o Jedwabnym Szlaku, ktorej autor odwiedzil miejsce prawdopobnego pochowku jednego z nich.
Pozdrawiam serdecznie wciaz z Majorki (niestety tylko do jutra).
Kasia

lousat (138609) 2020-01-06 12:29

Ciao Malgo,it's the Magi day and it's right to celebrate this event that close the festive saison. A very original and different version of the usual painting of Magi,so your post is very interesting,well done. Have a nice evening and thanks,Luciano

pierrefonds (113590) 2020-01-06 13:09

Hi Malgo,

I learned the history of Epiphany when I was in primary school, may years ago. The point of view is showing the details of the artwork. It is clear and sharp. Have a nice day.

Pierre

Ilonka1974 (10289) 2020-01-06 13:14

Czesc Malgorzata,
Wspanialy fryz pokazujacy kunszt starozytnych artystow.
Doskonala prezentacja.
Pozdrawiam
Janusz

Nicou (193806) 2020-01-06 21:26

Hello

Quel d騁ail et gravure sur la pierre quelle repr駸entation de ces personnages portant ce objet fantastique fin d騁ail et image tr鑚 int駻essant.
Bravo et amiti�
Nciou

johnjmoe (923) 2020-01-06 23:46

Hi Malgo,
This capture continues to bring me back to it. tfs-john

COSTANTINO (115539) 2020-01-07 22:50

Hello dear Malgorzata and have a nice time
It is the first time I see this photo and as I red in Poland
they are called Three Kings as in Greece too
I liked your useful notes about their names
It is a very beautiful facade
of Persepolis
welldone
regards
Costantino

ChrisJ (171222) 2020-01-09 3:28

Hello Malgo,

Only 3 of them are bearing gifts, the other 2 must be priests or other foreigners. Looks similar to a religious procession that the Hittites carved. Tfs!

https://www.ancient-origins.net/sites/default/files/field/image/Astronomical-Observatory.jpg

jmdias (114278) 2020-01-13 11:33

malgo

I saw similar carvings of this civilization in UK and russian museums. nice these ones with a special quality, a miracle they are preserved despite being so old.

take care

jorge

Miguel82 (47110) 2020-01-16 1:34

Hello, this bas relief represents the magis. They are more than three here and bring gifts to the new born Jesus. Beautiful artwork carved in the stone. Fine colors, good sharpness, instructive photo note, regards.

mcmtanyel (67657) 2020-01-18 19:39

Hello Malgo,
It is a nice capture of these reliefs. 👍🏻👍🏻 I assume they are bringing gifts to an earthly king in this depiction.
Regards,
MT