Symbolism in the Twelve Days of Christmas

The Twelve Days of Christmas is an odd song with its lyrics about gifts of French Hens, milking maids, and drummers, but each gift in the song actually has a deeper spiritual meaning. Before literacy was widespread, The Twelve Days of Christmas was used as a teaching tool to teach about the Christian faith.

(Note: Most people assume that the twelve days of Christmas are the twelve days before Christmas. But they are actually the twelve days from the day after Christmas to Epiphany on is January 6^th which celebrates the visit of the three wise men to baby Jesus. The season of time before Christmas is called Advent and includes the four Sundays before Christmas.)

On the first day of Christmas, my true love sent to me, a partridge in a pear tree.

The first day of Christmas is the first day of the traditional Christmas season on the church calendar, which celebrates the day Christ was born. The true love in the song refers to God and the partridge in a pear tree refers to Christ, while the pear tree refers to the cross he died on to save the world from sin.

On the second day of Christmas, my true love sent to me, two turtle doves...

Turtle doves refers to the gifts of the Old and New Testament, through which mankind can know the God.

On the third day of Christmas, my true love sent to me, three French hens...

The French hens refer to the triad of Christian virtues: faith hope and love.

On the fourth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me, four calling birds...

The four calling birds are a symbol of the four books of the gospel, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, and their proclamations of Jesus as savior and king.

On the fifth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me, five golden rings...

The five golden rings are a reference to the first five books of the Old Testament, also known as the Pentateuch. The Pentateuch describes the beginning of history and man's fall from grace.

On the sixth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me, six geese a laying...

The six geese a laying are a symbol the six days of creation where God created the earth and everything in it.

On the seventh day of Christmas, my true love sent to me, seven swans a swimming...

The seven swans refer to the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit: wisdom, understanding, piety, right judgment, courage, knowledge, and fear of the Lord.

On the eights day of Christmas, my true love sent to me, eight maids a milking...

The eight maids a milking, refer to the eight beatitudes of Jesus from The Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 5:

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

On the ninth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, nine ladies dancing...

The nine ladies dancing are a symbol of the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit found in the book of Galatians: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, self-control, faithfulness, and gentleness.

On the tenth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, ten lords a leaping...

Ten lords a leaping refers to the Ten Commandments that God gave to Moses and the Israelites on Mount Sinai.

On the eleventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, eleven pipers piping...

The eleven pipers piping refers to the eleven apostles who were faithful and does not include Judas Iscariot who betrayed Jesus.

On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, twelve drummers drumming...

The twelve drummers drumming refers to the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostle's Creed which was traditionally numbered, as follows:

1. I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

2. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.

3. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary.

4. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried.
5. He descended into hell. On the third day he rose again.

6. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.

7. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.

8. I believe in the Holy Spirit,

9. the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, (catholic=universal)

10. the forgiveness of sins,

11. the resurrection of the body,

12. and life everlasting.

Amen.