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What do the Twelve Days of Christmas mean?

By
Real Estate Agent with The Outer Banks Real Estate Copmpany NC 261870

This is a question that has played arond in the back of my mind for many years. I would wonder what the meaning was behind that particular song since I have never seen a Christmas special on TV explaining it.  :) 

Well this year I got an email with one explination that is intriguing, so I thought I would share. If you know of any other stories behind the song, let us know.

From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly. Someone during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics. It has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church. Each element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality which the children could remember.

 
 

-The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ.

  

-Two turtle doves were the Old and New Testaments.

  

-Three French hens stood for faith, hope and love.-

  

-The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke & John.

  

-The five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament.

  

-The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation.

  

-Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit--Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy.

 
 

-The eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes.

  

-Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit--Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness,Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control.

  

-The ten lords a-leaping were the ten commandments.

  

-The eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples.

  

-The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostles' Creed.



Comments (4)

Marge Piwowarski
Phoenix AZ Horse Property - Phoenix, AZ
Phoenix AZ Horse Property, LLC

Thanks, Jean Paul, I was clueless about why twelve days too.  I bet lots of people are, I am gonna promote better educated Reators and reblog this!

Dec 14, 2011 11:21 AM
Jon Quist
REALTY EXECUTIVES ARIZONA TERRITORY - Tucson, AZ
Tucson's BUYERS ONLY Realtor since 1996

A very interesting and intriguing post, I must say. I've actually never given this much thought. OK, no thoughts ever. Now, I'm curious. Good subject content.

Wikipedia has all sorts of opinions on origins but no mention of this idea.

Very interesting indeed.

Dec 14, 2011 11:32 AM
Vern Eaton
Askov, MN
Realtor 651-674-7449

I had seen this before, Thanks for bringing this to the surface again!

Dec 14, 2011 01:03 PM
Alan Morris
Sierra Pacific Mortgage - Raleigh, NC
Raleigh Durham Home Loan Pro - 919-906-1373

Excellent post dude!  It's been a long time since I've seen this - very good.

Wishing you the best of the season, Jean Paul.

Dec 20, 2011 03:57 AM