12 Days of Christmas is not merely
a song but it has some symbolic significance
and its meaning is very deep. The
twelve days of Christmas means the
days that starts with Christmas and
ends with the beginning of Epiphany.
12 days of Christmas is basically
an allegory. 12 days of Christmas
symbolizes twelve different things
that have a religious significance
of their own. It is said that people
of England were compelled not to practice
their religion openly during the years
1558 to 1829 and it was during this
time that this song was written to
help the young people to know and
learn about their faith.
Each of the 12 days of Christmas
does have a significance of their
own.
First day- The partridge
in a pear is Jesus Christ on the
cross.
Second day- The "two turtle
doves" are the Old and New Testaments.
Third day- The "three
turtle doves" symbolizes hope, love
and faith.
Fourth day- The "four
calling birds" are the four Gospels.
Fifth day- The "five golden
rings" are the first five books
of bible.
Sixth day- The "six geese
a-laying" refers to the six days
of creation.
Seventh day- The "seven
swans a swimming" stands for the
seven gifts of the spirit.
Eighth day- The "eight
maids a milking" stands for the
eight beatitudes.
Ninth day- The "nine ladies
dancing" refers to the nine fruits
of Holy Spirit.
Tenth day- The"ten lords
a-leaping" symbolizes Ten Commandments.
Eleventh day- The "eleven
piers piping" are the eleven disciples.
Twelfth day- The "twelve
drummers drumming" stands for the
twelve points Apostles' Creed.
12 days of Christmas emphasize the
religious significance of Christianity
with a meaning attached to each day.
That is what 12 days of Christmas
is all about.
