The 12 Days of Christmas refer to the twelve-day period that starts with Christmas day and ends on Epiphany (6th January). Written In England, between 1558 and 1829. Some say it was written to educate the children of the Catholic faith as Catholicism was outlawed at the time. This is unverified, but an interesting consideration.
The song begins, On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me… In 'A New Dial' (and the legend/myth of the song having secret meanings), The 'true love' was meant to represent God, the true love of the world. The 'me' was meant to represent man or woman who receives these presents. The other meanings are given in 'A New Dial' are: (Extra item in brackets are extra meanings from the myth!)
A Partridge In A Pear Tree: The 'partridge in a pear tree' means God. (In 'The Twelve Days of Christmas', it can also mean Jesus who died on the cross. In ancient times a partridge was often used as mythological symbol of a divine, sacred king. Partridges weren't introduced into England, from France, until the 1770s, which also points to any extra meanings being added later!)
Two turtle doves: The 'two turtle doves' are the Old and New Testaments of the Bible.
Three French hens: The 'three French hens' are the Christian Trinity: God the Father, His Son Jesus and the Holy Spirit. (The hens could also mean faith, hope and love – the three gifts of the Holy Spirit. [See 1 Corinthians 13]; or the Wise men who visited Jesus; or the three gifts they brought him!)
Four calling birds: The 'four calling birds' (originally 'four collie birds' – an old name for Blackbirds!) are the four Gospels in the New Testament of the Bible. (They could also mean the four major Old Testament prophets [Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel]; or the four horsemen of the Apocalypse!)
Five golden rings: The 'five golden rings' are the five senses. (They could also mean first five books of the Bible also called the Pentateuch, the Books of Moses or the Torah.)
Six geese a-laying: The 'six geese a-laying' are the six days of creation.
Seven swans a swimming: The 'seven swan a swimming' are the seven 'liberal arts' studied in medieval universities. (They could also mean the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit. [See 1 Corinthians 12:8-11, Romans 12, Ephesians 4, 1 Peter 4:10-11])
Eight maids a milking: The 'eight maids a milking' are the eight beatitudes, Jesus' teachings on happiness. (See Matthew 5:3-10)
Nine ladies dancing: The 'nine ladies dancing' are the nine muses from Greek Mythology. (The ladies dancing could also mean fruits of the Holy Spirit. [See Galatians 5:22])
Ten lords a-leaping: The 'ten lords a-leaping' are the Ten Commandments in the Bible. (See Exodus 20)
Eleven pipers piping: The 'eleven pipers piping' represent eleven thousand [meaning a lot of people] who had been martyred (killed) for the Christian faith. (The pipers piping could also mean the eleven faithful disciples of Jesus.)
Twelve drummers drumming: The 'twelve drummers drumming' were the twelve disciples of Jesus (They could also mean the twelve points of the Apostles' Creed!)
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