# According to the legends, what are the names of the Three Wise Men? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 24, 2005, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/according-to-the-legends-what-are-the-names-of-the-three-wise-men/327747 "2005-10-24T23:16:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2005, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/according-to-the-legends-what-are-the-names-of-the-three-wise-men/327747/1 "2005-10-24T23:16:32Z")
Do any of the legends include the names of the Three Wise Men? I know, I know, the bible doesn’t specifically say three and I understand all the other biblical disclaimers. I’m asking about the legends that have grown \*out \*of the biblical story which \*do \*mention 3 wise men. ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2005, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/according-to-the-legends-what-are-the-names-of-the-three-wise-men/327747/2 "2005-10-24T23:20:16Z")
It would appear that one can call the wise men who visited Jesus by any name one would wish, but the tradition has it they were named Gaspar, Balthasar, and Melchior. From: [http://en.bibleinfo.com/questions/question.html?id=761](http://en.bibleinfo.com/questions/question.html?id=761) ---
**Author:** ![bonzer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/45deac/32.png) [@bonzer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bonzer)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2005, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/according-to-the-legends-what-are-the-names-of-the-three-wise-men/327747/3 "2005-10-24T23:50:56Z")
Gaspar, Balthasar, and Melchior have become the standard traditional trio of names in the Latin West, but there were other versions in other languages - see the table at the bottom of [this page](http://66.102.9.104/search?q=cache:B9HRAxe6CMMJ:www.hymnsandcarolsofchristmas.com/Hymns_and_Carols/Biographies/concerning_the_magi_and_their_na.htm+Hormizdah+bithisarea&hl=en) (actually the Google cache of it) for a fairly complete listing of those I’ve seen. ---
**Author:** ![Cunctator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/43a26b/32.png) [@Cunctator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cunctator)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2005, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/according-to-the-legends-what-are-the-names-of-the-three-wise-men/327747/4 "2005-10-24T23:56:57Z")
I’ve generally seen them as **C** aspar, Balthasar and Melchior. These traditional names for the three Magi give rise to the Catholic tradition of distributing chalk, previously blessed by the priest, after mass on the feast of the Epiphany (6 January). The chalk is then used to write the letters CBM over the entrance doorway to one’s house. By later extension the letters have also been interpreted as standing for **C** hristus **m** ansionem **b** enedicat i.e. may Christ bless this house. ---
**Author:** ![SCSimmons](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e495f1/32.png) [@SCSimmons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SCSimmons)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2005, 5:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/according-to-the-legends-what-are-the-names-of-the-three-wise-men/327747/5 "2005-10-25T05:06:35Z")
Moe, Larry, and Curly. Oh, sorry. Those are the three wise _guys_. My bad. ---
**Author:** ![rowrrbazzle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rowrrbazzle/32/414_2.png) [@rowrrbazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rowrrbazzle)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2005, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/according-to-the-legends-what-are-the-names-of-the-three-wise-men/327747/6 "2005-10-25T19:25:31Z")
This is fascinating. [http://www.foxearth.org.uk/blog/2004/12/bithiserea-melchior-and-gathaspa.html](http://www.foxearth.org.uk/blog/2004/12/bithiserea-melchior-and-gathaspa.html) > [@](#): > > The Syrian tradition asserts that there were twelve Magi, but this was changed by the fifth century to three, probably because three gifts were mentioned in the gospel. They were even given names, Bithiserea, Melchior and Gathaspa. By the eighth century, this had become Balthasar, Melchior, and Casper. It would be interesting to see those early references. > **[Biblical Magi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_Wise_Men#Traditional_names_for_the_Three_Magi)** > > The biblical Magi\[a\] (/ˈmeɪdʒaɪ/ or /ˈmædʒaɪ/; singular: magus), also referred to as the (Three) Wise Men or (Three) Kings, also the Three Magi were distinguished foreigners in the Gospel of Matthew and Christian tradition. They are said to have visited Jesus after his birth, bearing gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. They are regular figures in traditional accounts of the nativity celebrations of Christmas and are an important part of Christian tradition. > The Gospel of Matthew is the only o... > [@](#): > > In Ethiopian Christianity, for instance, they are Hor, Basanater, and Karsudan… > > Syrian Christians call them Larvandad, Hormisdas, and Gushnasaph. ---
**Author:** ![filmyak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/94ad74/32.png) [@filmyak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmyak)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2005, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/according-to-the-legends-what-are-the-names-of-the-three-wise-men/327747/7 "2005-10-25T21:18:28Z")
Hehehehehe. He said, “Hor.” ---
**Author:** ![danceswithcats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9e8a1a/32.png) [@danceswithcats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/danceswithcats)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2005, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/according-to-the-legends-what-are-the-names-of-the-three-wise-men/327747/8 "2005-10-25T21:56:31Z")
> [@SCSimmons](#): > > Moe, Larry, and Curly. > > Oh, sorry. Those are the three wise _guys_. My bad. Damn. That’s what I was gonna post. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![dangermom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e274bd/32.png) [@dangermom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dangermom)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2005, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/according-to-the-legends-what-are-the-names-of-the-three-wise-men/327747/9 "2005-10-26T01:41:32Z")
Ol’ Caspar, Melchior, and Bathasar even had their own kingdoms and ages. IIRC, Balthasar was a king of Africa, and a young man. This was also used to show that Christ is King of all the earth, and that mortal kings must submit to Him. It was popular as an artistic theme, since kings often needed to be reminded of that. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![asterion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4da419/32.png) [@asterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asterion)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2005, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/according-to-the-legends-what-are-the-names-of-the-three-wise-men/327747/10 "2005-10-26T02:08:09Z")
If you ever need a refresher in the names, play _Chrono Trigger_. The characters Gaspar, Bathasar, and Melchior figure relatively prominently. Besides, _Chrono Trigger_ is a really good game and you should play it if you haven’t already. ---
**Author:** ![Catalyst](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e47774/32.png) [@Catalyst](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Catalyst)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2005, 5:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/according-to-the-legends-what-are-the-names-of-the-three-wise-men/327747/11 "2005-10-26T05:32:33Z")
Another modern reference: Caspar, Balthisar, and Melchior are the names of the three Magi supercomputers in Neon Genesis Evangelion. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2005, 9:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/according-to-the-legends-what-are-the-names-of-the-three-wise-men/327747/12 "2005-10-26T09:00:09Z")
Bob, Bob, and Bob. But that just got confusing, so they decided to change their names instead to Dave, Dave, and Dave. ---
**Author:** ![Derleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2005, 9:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/according-to-the-legends-what-are-the-names-of-the-three-wise-men/327747/13 "2005-10-26T09:49:39Z")
> [@GuanoLad](#): > > Bob, Bob, and Bob. > > But that just got confusing, so they decided to change their names instead to Dave, Dave, and Dave. Then they wised up, and changed their names to Larry, Darryl, and Darryl. (You _knew_ that was coming. ;)) ---
**Author:** ![TheLoadedDog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/35a633/32.png) [@TheLoadedDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheLoadedDog)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2005, 10:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/according-to-the-legends-what-are-the-names-of-the-three-wise-men/327747/14 "2005-10-26T10:20:55Z")
> [@danceswithcats](#): > > Damn. That’s what I was gonna post. 😃 Add me to the list - but I suspected I was too late. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Scarlett67](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scarlett67/32/7387_2.png) [@Scarlett67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scarlett67)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2005, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/according-to-the-legends-what-are-the-names-of-the-three-wise-men/327747/15 "2005-10-26T15:21:49Z")
My first mental response was Shadrach (clap clap), Meshach (clap clap), A-bed-neee-goooo! Whoops, wrong Testament. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2005, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/according-to-the-legends-what-are-the-names-of-the-three-wise-men/327747/16 "2005-10-26T15:44:34Z")
> [@Scarlett67](#): > > My first mental response was Shadrach (clap clap), Meshach (clap clap), A-bed-neee-goooo! > > Whoops, wrong Testament. Mine too, that is why I had to ask. 🙂 If course in my tiny little child brain I thought it was Shadrach, Meshach and to bed we go. ---
**Author:** ![SCSimmons](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e495f1/32.png) [@SCSimmons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SCSimmons)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2005, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/according-to-the-legends-what-are-the-names-of-the-three-wise-men/327747/17 "2005-10-26T21:00:23Z")
> [@danceswithcats](#): > > Damn. That’s what I was gonna post. 😃 You should have seen the little dance I did when I got to the bottom of the thread and saw nobody had posted that yet … ---
**Author:** ![Derleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2005, 9:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/according-to-the-legends-what-are-the-names-of-the-three-wise-men/327747/18 "2005-10-27T09:56:51Z")
> [@Scarlett67](#): > > My first mental response was Shadrach (clap clap), Meshach (clap clap), A-bed-neee-goooo! > > Whoops, wrong Testament. Damn. Now I’ll have Beastie Boys in my head for a few hours. ---
**Author:** ![HPL](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/3da27b/32.png) [@HPL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HPL)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2005, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/according-to-the-legends-what-are-the-names-of-the-three-wise-men/327747/19 "2005-10-27T15:57:13Z")
Sure it wasn’t “Dewy, Cheteam and Howe”? ---
**Author:** ![Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spectre_of_pithecanthropus/32/12343_2.png) [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2005, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/according-to-the-legends-what-are-the-names-of-the-three-wise-men/327747/20 "2005-10-27T20:11:50Z")
> [@SCSimmons](#): > > Moe, Larry, and Curly. > > Oh, sorry. Those are the three wise _guys_. My bad. I thought it was Mohicus, Larrius, and Curlicue. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/according-to-the-legends-what-are-the-names-of-the-three-wise-men/327747.md?page=2)