So, the three wise men who come to worship the child represent the colors of the great work.
The first color is black, symbolized by the black malachim, which is the color when we are perfecting the body—and again, this stage is also symbolized by the black crow of death, which relates to the black work of Saturn. Then, we are undergoing a death: the death of all our desires, passions, etc., in the astral world.
The white color emerges later, meaning it emerges in the moment when one has disintegrated all the “I’s” in the astral world. Then, one has the right to use the white linen tunic. It is evident that this stage is symbolized by the white dove. Among the three kings, this is the second malachim, the white king.
If the initiate has advanced enough towards the perfection of the astral body, he will deserve the yellow color, meaning he has the right to use the yellow colored tunic. This is the stage where the yellow eagle appears. This reminds us of the third malachim of the three kings, who is the yellow king.
Finally, the crown of the work is the purple. When a body—whether the astral, the mental or the causal—is of pure gold, one receives the purple of the kings, because one has triumphed. The purple is the cape that the three wise kings carry upon their shoulders.
So lo and behold the three king magi, which are not three persons, as many people believe. No, sir! They represent the three fundamental colors of the great work, and even the very Jesus Christ who lives within each one of us [the malachim] Samael Aun Weor