According to the Gospel of Matthew, the Magi brought frankincense, a fragrant resin, as one of their gifts to Jesus.
Matthew 2:11 says the visitors opened their treasures and offered gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Frankincense is an aromatic resin obtained from trees of the Boswellia genus. It was burned as incense and was valuable in religious rituals, perfumery, and long-distance trade.
The three gifts are often interpreted symbolically in Christian tradition, although Matthew does not explain a symbolism for each item. Gold is commonly associated with kingship, frankincense with worship or priestly use, and myrrh with burial or mortality. These interpretations became influential in later Christian writing and art.
Matthew does not state that there were exactly three Magi. That number is inferred from the three listed gifts. The Gospel also does not name them, describe them as kings, or specify that they arrived at a stable on the night of Jesus’ birth. Those details developed through later tradition and artistic representation.