Buzz
Everyone is familiar with the partridge in a pear tree from the first day of Christmas given by your true love... but when exactly does that first day fall?
You might expect the 12 days of Christmas to build up to the big day, like most countdowns do, but in Western Christianity, "Christmas" officially starts on December 25 and concludes on January 5. The 12 days symbolize the period between the birth of Christ and the eve of Epiphany, when the Magi arrived with gifts. This event is often referred to as "Twelfth Night." (In many Western Christian traditions, Epiphany is celebrated on January 6, and in some regions, the 12 days start on December 26.)
The famous song is believed to have originated in France and was first published in England in 1780. There were rumors that it was a secret code for Catholics during a time when practicing Catholicism was illegal in 16th-century England. As noted by the Christian Resource Institute, the story behind the song suggests that "The 'true love' mentioned refers not to a romantic partner, but to God Himself. The 'me' receiving the gifts represents every baptized Christian. Each 'day' corresponds to an important element of the Christian Faith that children were taught to learn."
In debunking this tale, Snopes quoted a 1998 email listing the supposed symbolism behind each item in the song:
2 Turtle Doves = the Old and New Testaments 3 French Hens = Faith, Hope and Charity, the Theological Virtues 4 Calling Birds = the Four Gospels and/or the Four Evangelists 5 Golden Rings = the first Five Books of the Old Testament, the "Pentateuch", which recount the story of mankind's fall from grace. 6 Geese A-laying = the six days of creation 7 Swans A-swimming = the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, the seven sacraments 8 Maids A-milking = the eight beatitudes 9 Ladies Dancing = the nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit 10 Lords A-leaping = the ten commandments 11 Pipers Piping = the eleven faithful apostles 12 Drummers Drumming = the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostle's Creed
There is virtually no historical evidence supporting the secret history of the song, although the arguments for the legend are persuasive. It's likely that the "code" was applied to the song only after it was created.
Whether the meaning is hidden or not, one thing remains undeniably true: You've got "The Twelve Days of Christmas" playing in your head right now.
