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[LBMJBTSPM]

What is the meaning of "The Twelve Days Of Christmas"?

[Clanad]

Generally accepted as being the 12 days from Christmas to Epiphany (January 6th). In the Western church. Epiphany is traditionally celebrated as the time the three Wise Men or Magi arrived to present gifts to the young Jesus (Matt. 2:1-12). The number of Magi are not actually mentioned in Scripture references, but attributed by Origen ca. 200AD, based on the total of three gifts given...

[jno]

if you mean the carol, here is one interpretation of the words

[SteveD]

How many gifts did the recipient actually get?:

1st day: A partridge in a pear tree.

2nd day: 2 turtle doves and a partridge in a pear tree.

3rd day: 3 French hens, 2 turtle doves and a partridge in a pear tree.

etc, etc.

[Quizmonster]

There are references to 'Twelfth Eve' and 'Twelfth Day' dating back to Anglo-Saxon times, so the idea that it originated as a secret, coded catechism during the days of Catholic persecution in the 1500s seems very improbable. It may well have taken on such a role in those difficult times - in much the same way as Catholic households had special priest-holes built - but that cannot explain the original significance.

I can find no reference to it on the WWW, but I was told decades ago that the line: "a partridge in a pear-tree", for example, was a corruption by the peasantry of the priests' muttering/chanting of the Latin words "perperit in aperto". That means "She gave birth in the open"...ie an exposed place such as a Bethlehem stable. (This may be utter nonsense, of course, but I did learn that somehow! Seems vaguely plausible.)

Other than that, I suspect it has more to do with the apparently mystic significance of the number 12...12 disciples, 12 zodiac signs, 12 months and so on. Obviously, Christmas celebrations had to end at some time, so why not after 12 days?

[Octavius]

Depends if you count the pear tree as a gift. Speculation has it (although remarkably unproven therefore probably made) up is that:

One partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ.

Two turtle doves were the Old and New Testaments.

Three French hens stood for faith, hope and love.

Four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

Five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament.

Six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation.

Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit: prophesy, serving, teaching, exortation, contribution, leadership, and mercy.

Eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes.

From here on, the order is different from the original song!

Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.

Ten lords a-leaping were the ten commandments.

Eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples.

Twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostles' Creed.

I just look forward to the eighth day, ooh, eight milk maids....

[jno]

ten lords a-leaping are the ten commandments... yeah, right... to be honest I find it hard to believe any of these interpretations. On the other hand, it must mean something, I suppose! Or could it just be deliberately surrealist nonsense?

[Octavius]

I don't know, I'm still thinking about milkmaids

[jugglebubble]

Well I don't know about all you guys being so complicated, but I thought it was just that there was twelve days in christmas! It comes from the ancient greek godess Rachel Zetter. It was originally said like this: 'Doce dias de Navidad'

[Quizmonster]

Any attempt to assign a significance to the numbers of items seems to me to be no different from - or convincing than - that old chestnut of a song sung by Max Bygraves some decades ago about a pack of cards.
In that, someone was criticised for using cards, such things being playthings of the devil. "Oh, no!" he replied and went on to claim that the 'threes' stood for the Holy Trinity and so on and so on. Arrant nonsense!
I thought the questioner was asking why twelve days as opposed to seven or nineteen or whatever. I've had a stab at it...any other offers?

[Octavius]

It would appear to be simply a creation of the Church, a natural linking together of Christmas and Epiphany. It is first mentioned as a festal tide by the eastern Father, Ephraem Syrus, at the end of the fourth century, and was declared to be such by the western Council of Tours in 567 A.D.

Sometimes Christmas is reckoned as one of the Twelve Days, sometimes not. In the former case, of course, the Epiphany is the thirteenth day. In England we call the Epiphany Twelfth Day, in Germany it is generally called Thirteenth; in Belgium and Holland it is Thirteenth; in Sweden it varies, but is usually Thirteenth. Sometimes then the Twelve Days are spoken of, sometimes the Thirteen. "The Twelve Nights;" in accordance with the old Teutonic mode of reckoning by nights, is a natural and correct term.

....anyway.... back to milkmaids....

[jno]

Octavius the last dairymaid died in 1907. The prime minister, Campbell-Bannerman, said: 'It's the end of an era innit.'

[Cleggy]

On the "Thirteenth Day of Christmas" I go back to work. I suppose many have before!