12 Days of Christmas

The 12 Days of Christmas
Discover the Christmas custom, story, myth and legend associated with the 12 Days of Christmas. This festive tradition and Christmas custom has evolved over time. But what is the history, meaning and origin of the 12 Days of Christmas? This article provides facts and information about the history of the 12 Days of Christmas as a familiar tradition and Christmas custom.  

The Christmas Custom of the 12 Days of Christmas
When are the 12 days of Christmas? The twelve days of Christmas start on 25th December and end the evening of the Twelfth Day of Christmas on 5th January. This period of time is known as Christmastide. The day after Twelfth Night is Epiphany on 6th January. During the Medieval era, the 12 Days of Christmas consisted of great celebrations with continuous feasting and merrymaking, which climaxed on Twelfth Night, the traditional end of the Christmas season.

History of the Medieval Revels -  12 Days of Christmas
The Medieval revels of Christmastide had many similarities to the Roman pagan festival of Saturnalia. The ancient festival of the Saturnalia was celebrated on December 17. The most famous features of the Saturnalia festival was the freedom and license of the slaves and the giving of presents. These Roman customs were reflected in the revels when one of the traditions involved electing the Lord of Misrule, or the Master of the Revels,  who took on the guise of the king at this time creating havoc with preposterous orders.

The 12 Days of Christmas Song
Click the following link for the famous song and read the 12 Days of Christmas lyrics. The Religious symbolism of the 12 Days of Christmas are as follows:

1. 1 True Love refers to God

2. 2 Turtle Doves refers to the Old and New Testaments

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

4. 4 Calling Birds refers to the Four Gospels and/or the Four Evangelists

5. 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. 6 Geese A-laying refers to the six days of creation

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

8. 8 Maids A-milking refers to the eight beatitudes

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

10. 10 Lords A-leaping refers to the ten commandments

11. 11 Pipers Piping refers to the eleven faithful apostles

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

12 Days of Christmas
Christmas is celebrated worldwide, throughout the Christian population of approximately 2275 million people, but is also celebrated by many non-Christians as a secular, cultural festival. A Christmas custom or tradition is symbolized by a familiar symbol or icon, such as the 12 Days of Christmas,  have come to represent the spirit and meaning of this special time of the year.

12 Days of Christmas
 

12 Days of Christmas

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