"The Star of Kings" was symbolically carried through the streets in the 17th c. Netherlands in the form of a star-shaped paper lantern during the procession celebrating the festival of Epiphany. Epiphany (or twelfth night) commemorates the revealing of Jesus as the Christ to the Magi at Bethlehem. Rembrandt conveys the power of this revelation in the brilliance of the star lantern as contrasted with it's unilluminated surroundings.