"12 Days of Christmas" Meaning and Lyrics' Secret Meaning
This song refers to a real 12-day celebration and may have a hidden code.
We've all heard the popular (albeit rather strange) Christmas carol: "On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me: a partridge in a pear tree..." And while that first line is well-known and easily quotable, the lyrics continue on with eleven more days of gifts which don't exactly roll off the tongue effortlessly. But it's not just a totally random song—there's real meaning (and a possible secret code!) behind "The Twelve Days of Christmas" (or "12 Days of Christmas").
When the holiday season comes upon us, it's normal for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day to be the main highlights for Christmas celebrations. Before the 24th and 25th of December, most of us consumers are in a mad dash to finish our holiday shopping and gift-wrapping. After those two days, the focus suddenly shifts to the next upcoming, two-day celebration: New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. But "The Twelve Days of Christmas" implies that there's a longer time period of celebration for this one holiday, so are most of us missing something?!
I don't know about you, but my ideal Christmas present does not involve birds, or even fruit trees. And if there are supposed to be twelve days that also include geese and turtle doves, I'll be honest—I'd be willing to bet it wouldn't end up working out with my "true love." So, where did the inspiration for these specified gifts come from? When do the twelve days of Christmas celebration begin? What's the real meaning behind the "12 Days of Christmas?"
"12 Days of Christmas" Meaning
What is the period of time that makes up the 12 Days of Christmas?
Many people assume that the twelve days of Christmas would be the days leading up to Christmas Day. This may be, in part, because of the emphasis we place on celebrating the start of the Christmas season ahead of time with modern traditions like the release of peppermint mochas at our favorite coffee shops and the schedule of TV holiday movies like on Hallmark, which began as early as the end of October!
However, the actual "twelve days of Christmas" refer to a period of time starting on Christmas Day and ending on January 5.
What is the significance of the 12 Days of Christmas?
The twelve days start with the celebration of Jesus Christ's birth on December 25 and end on January 5—the day before "The Feast of the Epiphany," which commemorates the arrival of the magi to Bethlehem.
Related: 50 Religious Christmas Quotes
How long have Christians been celebrating the 12 Days of Christmas?
The celebration from Christmas Day until "The Feast of the Epiphany" has been observed since 567!
What is the period of time before Christmas Day called?
While the twelve days of Christmas begin on Christmas Day, there is a different kind of celebration that takes place before Christmas Day—an observance known as Advent, which is a reverent period of expectation and waiting for Christ. This year, Advent will be observed from Sunday, November 27-Saturday, December 24.
When was the "12 Days of Christmas" song written?
The "12 Days of Christmas" lyrics were first published in 1780 (though they may have existed long before), yet the music that accompanies the song that we're familiar with today, comes from an arrangement from 1909.
Related: 25 of the Best Religious Christmas Songs
Why was the song "12 Days of Christmas" written?
There are a couple of theories as to why the "12 Days of Christmas" was written. Many historians believe that the lyrics were first used to mimic popular "memory and forfeit" games from that time, when one person would recite a line, the next person would repeat the first line and add an additional line, and so on. Others believe that this was written as a catechism song for younger Catholics, holding a deeper meaning or "secret code" inside the lyrics than just what you read on the surface (more on that below!).
What are all of the gifts mentioned in the "12 Days of Christmas" carol?
The gifts listed within the "12 Days of Christmas" include a partridge, turtle doves, french hens, calling birds, golden rings, geese, swans, maids, ladies, lords, pipers and drummers.
Related: 100 Greatest Christmas Gifts for 2022
So, is there a secret code within the "12 Days of Christmas" lyrics?
Possibly! Legend has it that the Catholic Church did read the "12 Days of Christmas" lyrics with additional meaning, where each of the twelve gifts represented something significant from the beliefs of Christianity:
- A Partridge in a Pear Tree is said to represent Jesus Christ (a mother partridge is known to be willing to die while protecting her young), and is given on "the first day of Christmas" since the first of the twelve days falls on Christ's birthday.
- Two Turtle Doves symbolize both the Old and the New Testaments.
- Three French Hens stand for faith, hope, and love.
- Four Calling Birds are the four gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
- Five Golden Rings represent the Pentateuch—the first five books of the Old Testament.
- Six Geese-a-Laying are the six days of creation (before the seventh day of rest).
- Seven Swans-a-Swimming symbolize the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit: Prophecy, serving, teaching, exhortation, giving, leading, and mercy.
- Eight Maids-a-Milking are the eight Beatitudes from Jesus' Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:1-10).
- Nine Ladies Dancing represent the fruit of the Spirit (according to Galatians 5:22-23): Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
- Ten Lords-a-Leaping are the Ten Commandments.
- Eleven Pipers Piping stand for the eleven faithful disciples.
- Twelve Drummers Drumming, finally, symbolize the twelve points of belief stated in the Apostles' Creed.
Check out:
101 "Merry Christmas" Bible verses
100 best Christmas quotes
25 Christmas prayers and blessings
50 cheerful Christmas games to play
