The Epiphany , which means Manifestation , at the beginning of the 4th century it coincided with the feast for the birth of Christ which was becoming established on January 6 . But following the decision of the Emperor Constantine to anticipate the Christian holiday of January 6 and make it coincide with the Christmas of the Pagan Sun on December 25 , a discrepancy of rituals was created. The Catholic Church then filled the feast of January 6 with the arrival of the Magi, and called it the feast of the Epiphany.
According to some scholars, the word Epiphany over time, particularly in Tuscany , has been corrected from the local language in Befania and then Befana . In Florence in 1400 it was customary to celebrate Epiphany recalling the last stage of the journey of the Magi with spectacular parades-processions, but with reduced religious value. The first masked processions appeared with references to medieval sacred representations and the journey of the Magi to Bethlehem. And mimes that represented the religious meanings of the Epiphany.
Gradually the profane aspect of the festival took over over the religious one, freedom took hold in masking the processions, and later floats appeared and reached their maximum splendor in 1700 . On the floats, often decorated by artists, there were female figures called Befane and representing the party.
Around the Befane there were numerous Befani, or Befanotti, with their faces often painted in black, brightly dressed and with their faces dyed in black, which somehow recalled the Magi.
The Befani they asked for money for themselves and for public charity or wine, and in exchange they recited songs, religious or profane, called Befanate .