主显节 Epiphany | 当光被看见：一场文化与精神的旅程

主显节

Epiphany

在欧洲的传统节日中，主显节（英语：Epiphany，荷兰语：Driekoningen，法语：L’Épiphanie）并不是最喧闹的节日，却是最富思想深度的节日之一。每年 1 月 6 日，比利时与欧洲多国共同迎来主显节。这一天，既是圣诞季的终章，也是一段新旅程的起点——不仅是宗教意义上的，更是文化与精神层面的。

In Europe’s rich calendar of traditional festivals, Epiphany (Dutch: Driekoningen/ French: L’Épiphanie) may not be the most exuberant celebration, but it is certainly among the most intellectually profound. Observed every year on 6 January, Epiphany is celebrated in Belgium and many other European countries. It marks both the closing chapter of the Christmas season and the beginning of a new journey—one that is not only religious in meaning, but also cultural and spiritual.

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什么是主显节？

What Is Epiphany?

“Epiphany”（主显节）一词来自希腊语，意思是“显现”或“被看见”。主显节纪念的是耶稣基督作为救世主，第一次被世人认出的时刻。在西方传统中，这一“认出”的过程，来自一个广为流传的故事：东方三位贤士循着夜空中的星辰，来到伯利恒，朝拜新生的耶稣。这个故事之所以流传至今，并不只是因为宗教意义，更因为它讲述的是一种普遍的人类经验——寻找、判断，以及为信念踏上旅程。

The word “Epiphany” comes from Greek, meaning “manifestation” or “being revealed.” The feast commemorates the moment when Jesus Christ, believed by Christians to be the Savior, was first recognized by the wider world. In Western tradition, this recognition is told through a well-known story: three Wise Men from the East followed a star across the night sky to Bethlehem, where they paid homage to the newborn Jesus.

在故事中，三位贤士并不是当地人，也不是耶稣的追随者。他们是来自远方的智者，通过观察星象，意识到一个重要的时刻正在发生。因此他们选择离开熟悉的生活，踏上一段未知的旅程。这段旅程在今天看来，依然让人感到亲切——因为它讲述的是好奇心、勇气，以及对未知的尊重。主显节正是由此成为一个“向世界敞开”的节日。

The story has endured not only because of its religious significance, but also because it reflects a universal human experience — seeking meaning, making judgments, and embarking on a journey guided by belief. In the story, the Wise Men were neither locals nor followers of Jesus. They were scholars from distant lands who, through observing the stars, sensed that an extraordinary moment was unfolding. They chose to leave behind familiar lives and set out on an uncertain journey. Even today, this journey feels strikingly relatable, as it speaks of curiosity, courage, and respect for the unknown. It is for this reason that Epiphany has become a festival that is, in spirit, open to the world.

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比利时如何庆祝主显节？

How Is Epiphany Celebrated in Belgium?

在比利时，主显节并不是一个只存在于教堂或历史书中的节日。对许多家庭来说，它更像是圣诞季的“温柔收尾”——不喧闹，却充满仪式感，也承载着关于家庭、分享与祝福的记忆。在不同地区、不同家庭中，主显节的庆祝方式或许并不完全相同，但都围绕着一个共同的主题：把节日的意义，带回到人与人之间。

In Belgium, Epiphany is not a festival that exists only in churches or history books. For many families, it is a gentle conclusion to the Christmas season—quiet rather than exuberant, yet rich in ritual and memory. While ways of celebrating may differ from region to region and from family to family, they all revolve around a shared theme: bringing the meaning of the festival back to human connection.

三王歌唱 Star Singing

在比利时的一些地区，孩子们会装扮成三位贤士，手持星形装饰，走进社区唱歌，为邻里送上祝福。这是节日的一部分，也是孩子们学习分享与交流的方式。尤其是在家庭与社区联系较为紧密的地方，“三王歌唱”（Star Singing）是一项延续多年的传统。

In some parts of Belgium, children dress up as the Three Wise Men and carry star-shaped decorations as they go into their neighborhoods to sing and offer good wishes. This tradition is both a festive activity and a way for children to learn about sharing and communication. Especially in communities where family and neighborhood ties remain strong, “Star Singing” is a custom that has been passed down for generations.

节日当天，孩子们会戴上手工制作的小王冠，穿上色彩缤纷的衣服，装扮成三位贤士，手持象征伯利恒之星的星形装饰，结伴游走在街区间，挨家挨户地敲门，为邻居唱歌并送上节日祝福。其中最受欢迎的一首歌中唱到：“三王，三王，请给我一顶新帽子……” (Drie Koningen, Drie Koningen, geef mij een nieuwe hoed…”) 在很多比利时家庭的记忆中，主显节正是从这些简单而温暖的歌声中开始的。作为歌声的回报，邻居们会给孩子们糖果、小零食或小硬币。

On Epiphany Day, children wear handmade paper crowns, colorful costumes, and carry stars symbolizing the Star of Bethlehem. Moving in small groups through their neighborhoods, they knock on doors, sing to their neighbors, and share festive greetings. One of the most popular songs includes the line: “Drie Koningen, Drie Koningen, geef mij een nieuwe hoed…”

(“Three Kings, Three Kings, please give me a new hat…”) For many Belgian families, Epiphany begins with these simple yet warm melodies. In return for the singing, neighbors often offer sweets, small snacks, or coins.

这项传统对孩子而言是一种节日体验，对家庭而言却有着更深的意义：它鼓励孩子主动与他人交流，让节日从家庭走向社区，同时也让“祝福”成为一种被分享的行为。

For children, this tradition is a joyful festive experience; for families, it holds a deeper meaning. It encourages children to engage openly with others, allows the celebration to move beyond the home and into the community, and turns “blessings” into something that is shared.

国王饼 King’s Cake

对于比利时的主显节而言，国王饼（荷兰语：Driekongingentaart，法语：La Galette des Rois）几乎是不可或缺的一部分，是主显节当天最受期待的时刻之一。

For Epiphany in Belgium, the King’s Cake (English: King’s Cake; Dutch: Driekoningentaart; French: La Galette des Rois) is almost indispensable and is one of the most anticipated moments of the day.

国王饼是一种酥皮夹心杏仁糕点，通常由酥皮或甜面饼制成，表层金黄酥脆，内馅柔软绵密。国王饼外表朴素，里面却藏着一个小小的惊喜——饼中会放入一个小瓷偶或象征性的小饰物。

The cake is typically made of flaky puff pastry filled with smooth almond cream, featuring a golden, crisp exterior and a soft, rich interior. Modest in appearance, it hides a small surprise inside—a tiny porcelain figurine or symbolic token.

在国王饼中吃到这枚小瓷像的人，会被“加冕”为当天的“国王”或“王后”，戴上纸王冠，象征新一年的幸福与好运。

The person who finds it in their slice is “crowned” King or Queen for the day, wearing a paper crown that symbolizes happiness and good fortune in the year ahead.

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为什么主显节在今天依然重要？

Why Does Epiphany Still Matter Today?

在比利时，主显节并不急促，也不张扬。它更像是一段缓慢的过渡——从节日走向日常，从欢庆走向平静。正是这种节奏，让主显节在比利时得以延续至今：不靠热闹维系，而靠记忆、家庭与情感传承。

In Belgium, Epiphany is neither hurried nor ostentatious. It represents a slow transition—from festivity to everyday life, from celebration to calm. It is precisely this rhythm that has allowed the tradition to endure: sustained not by spectacle, but by memory, family bonds, and emotional continuity.

在充满变化的当下里，主显节的意义依然清晰：世界并不缺少光明，而是需要更多理解；差异并不是距离，而是交流的起点；许多重要的事物，需要用心去发现。主显节并不要求人们拥有答案，它只是轻声提醒我们：当光出现时，愿我们愿意抬头看见，也愿意向彼此靠近。

In a world marked by constant change, the meaning of Epiphany remains clear. The world does not lack light; it needs greater understanding. Differences are not distances, but starting points for dialogue. And many important things can only be discovered with patience and care. Epiphany does not demand answers. It gently reminds us that when light appears, may we be willing to look up and see it — and may we also be willing to move closer to one another.

作为一个多文化共存的国家，比利时一直珍视对话、尊重与理解，而主显节正体现了这些价值。

As a country shaped by cultural diversity, Belgium has long valued dialogue, respect, and understanding, and Epiphany is a living expression of these values.