The Hidden Meaning of the 12 Days of Christmas

 

Who thought the12 Days of Christmas was just a song about an over-generous lover? In fact the lyrics reflect on a period of deep religious significance. As a family historian, I think it is important to understand the seasonal beliefs of our ancestors. For example, the Twelve Days of Christmas. Why 12 Days? The 12 Days were not the days running up to Christmas. Christians believe that the Twelve Days, or ‘Twelvetide’, of Christmas, mark the amount of time it took after the birth of Jesus for the magi, or wise men, to travel to Bethlehem for the Epiphany (January 6th) when they recognised Him as the son of God. Also, the 12 days honour a different feast or saint, before culminating in Twelfth Night. During this time there are celebrations both secular and religious.

The superstitions associated with this time, often relate to the specialness of this time of year and so bad luck befalls people who do not observe them. The twelve days of Christmas were ‘work-free’ and farmers would bring in there ploughs until ‘Plough Monday,’ when work would begin again. Failure to observe this would result in bad luck. 

It was also essential that fire, money or food, did not leave the house or ill fortune would befall the household. Borrowing fire was commonplace, as people took burning embers from neighbours hearths to light their fire, but during Yuletide, this would bring very bad luck. Equally the Yule log had to be kept alight for the twelve days; candles had to remain alight all night on Christmas Eve. It was also believed that a portion of the ‘plum-cake’ should be kept until New Years Day. It was traditionally served in slices that were toasted and soaked in spicy ale. My family would always eat a slice of Christmas Cake after the clock had struck midnight at the start of the New Year.

So what about the lyrics of the song? Well there are many interpretations of this chant or rhyme that possibly dates back as far as 1625.  Historians believe it started out as a ‘memory and forfeit’ game. It first appeared in print in 1780. This is one interpretation: 

1 True Love refers to God

2 Turtle Doves refers to the Old and New Testaments

3 French Hens refers to Faith, Hope and Charity, the Theological Virtues

4 Calling (more traditionally ‘Colly’) Birds refers to the Four Gospels and/or the Four Evangelists

5 Golden Rings refers to the first Five Books of the Old Testament, the “Pentateuch”, which gives the history of man’s fall from grace.

6 Geese A-laying refers to the six days of creation

7 Swans A-swimming refers to the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, the seven sacraments

8 Maids A-milking refers to the eight beatitudes

9 Ladies Dancing refers to the nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit

10 Lords A-leaping refers to the ten commandments

11 Pipers Piping refers to the eleven faithful apostles

12 Drummers Drumming refers to the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostle’s Creed.

Oh yes! The Partridge in a Pear Tree? Some believe that the words were originally a catechism song for 16th century Catholics unable to practise their faith publicly and that the bird in the tree represented Christ on the cross. 

Merry Christmas