The Neapolitan Nativity scene is not just a simple representation of the Nativity, but a true narrative that intertwines symbolism, folklore and popular tradition. Each character, scene and detail within this creation has a profound meaning, rooted in Neapolitan culture and religious heritage. Over the centuries, the nativity scene has evolved its form, enriching itself with figures and stories that reflect not only religiosity, but also daily life, legends and the worldview of the Neapolitan population.
Let's explore together the characters that populate this extraordinary visual tale.
The central characters of the Neapolitan Nativity scene
The Holy Family
The Holy Family occupies the heart of the nativity scene, usually the central cave. Mary, dressed in pink with a blue cloak, Joseph in purple and yellow clothes, and the Baby Jesus surrounded by the ox and the donkey, represent the balance between the forces of Good and Evil, which coexist in the divine order of the universe. The ox and the donkey, in fact, are symbols of humility and purity, but also of complementary opposites.
The Angels
In the traditional nativity scene, there is usually an angel positioned above the cave or near Jesus' crib: the archangel Gabriel. However, in some nativity scenes, particularly the Neapolitan one, there are three angels above the cave: in the center, the angel known as "Glory of the Father" , who holds a parchment with the inscription "Glory"; on the right, the angel called "Glory of the Son" , who holds a censer, and on the left, the angel "Glory of the Holy Spirit" , who plays the trumpet.
Benino, the sleeping shepherd
Benino is one of the most iconic and symbolic characters of the Neapolitan nativity scene. This shepherd boy who sleeps at the beginning of the path represents the expectation and hope of Christmas. His figure is linked to several legends, including the one according to which the nativity scene exists only until Benino wakes up. In this sense, Benino is a symbol of the spiritual journey towards the birth of Jesus, of the expectation of a miraculous event that has yet to arrive. He is usually placed under a haystack.
The Hunter and the Fisherman
In the Neapolitan Nativity scene, the hunter and the fisherman are an inseparable couple, emblem of the eternal dualism that pervades the universe: the earth and the sky, life and death, summer and winter, Heaven and Hell. Their position in the scene, traditionally fixed, places them respectively at the top and at the bottom, on the rock and on the river bank. Apparently, the hunter, placed at the top, might seem to be the symbol of heaven, while the fisherman, closer to the river, that of hell. However, according to the logic of the Neapolitan Nativity scene, the path to Jesus' cave - and therefore towards the light - follows a direction from top to bottom. Thus, the symbolism of this couple is reversed: the hunter, although being at the top, represents the infernal world, death. The fisherman , often depicted with a fishing rod or near the fish bank, is placed low in the river and becomes the symbol of the celestial kingdom, closer to the divine light.
The washerwoman
The washerwoman is a figure found by the river, intent on washing clothes. She represents purification and grace, and is also linked to the role of midwives who, according to tradition, assisted the Madonna during the birth of Jesus. The clothes that the washerwoman uses are immaculate, symbolizing the virginity of Mary and the miraculous birth of Jesus.
The wine merchant
The vintner, who sells wine and food, is a figure who symbolizes the Eucharist, but is also linked to the various food vendors, each of whom represents a month of the year: the vintner and the hunter for October, the butcher for January, the cheese vendor for February, and so on, up to December, with the fishmonger.
After the death of Jesus and his miracles, wine and bread became symbols of the blood and body of the Savior. For this very reason, the figure of the wine merchant is a constant in the nativity scene. Usually, he is depicted with simple salesman's clothes, next to his barrels of wine; in some representations, his shop also serves as the backdrop to the scene. In the Neapolitan nativity scene, the wine merchant is part of an interesting traditional duo that unites the sacred and the profane. In fact, he is often compared to Ciccibacco, a figure that recalls the pagan divinity Bacchus, god of drunkenness and libations, representing the more festive and worldly side of wine.
The Gypsy
The gypsy, who often carries a child in her arms, is a figure full of symbolism. According to some legends, it was a gypsy who prophesied the birth of Jesus, but her presumption caused her to suffer punishment, turning her into an owl. Her figure is linked to the prophecy of the flight into Egypt, but also to the Passion of Christ and the pain of the Madonna.
The Three Wise Men
The Three Wise Men , traditionally three, are the characters who represent the peoples of the world who come to pay homage to the Baby Jesus. Balthazar , the old man, on a black horse; Gaspar , the young man, on a white horse; Melchior , the Moor, on a tawny horse, symbolize the moments of the day: night, midday and dawn, and their race represents the journey of the stars towards the place where the light of the world is born.
Overall, the Neapolitan Nativity scene is a microcosm that tells the story of the nativity, intertwining everyday reality and spirituality, past and present, sacred and profane. Each character, even the most insignificant at first sight, carries with it an important narrative role. The magic of the nativity scene lies precisely in its ability to speak to anyone, of every era and culture, through a universal language made of symbols, stories and traditions.