With the emergence of Christmas, you cannot ignore the beloved melody that fills the air “The 12 days of Christmas”. Based on the carol, on each of the 12 days, an extravagant gift was given, where birds make several appearances, starting with a partridge in a pear tree. As the song progresses, a cumulative number shows a total of 936 birds.
So, let’s get to know the reason behind the gifting of avians, its symbolism and traditions. We will also get to the history of the song and trace its origin.
12 Days of Christmas – Origin and Popularity
The song has its emergence in medieval England during the 16th century. The 12 Days of Christmas gained popularity during the Victorian era and became famous among English-speaking countries. At first, it was a game which was played during the 12 days of Christmas which begins on Christmas day and ends on January 5th which is known as the twelfth night. During the game, the one who could remember all the verses won.
Later on, the song evolved into a popular Christmas carol and it became an integral part of the festive season. At present it is an integral part of Christmas and is cherished worldwide among people of all ages. The avians that were gifted have a significant meaning in the context of the carol.
Calculating the Total Number of Bird
In the first verse of the 12 Days of Christmas carol, there is one partridge. In the second verse, there are 2 turtle doves, along with 2 partridges from the first verse, which make a total of 4 birds. This way the carol progresses in the same pattern and when it reaches the 12th verse there are 12 swans, 11 pipers, and 10 drummers and it goes all the way to 1 partridge in a pear tree.
So, while calculating, the formula to be used is –
Total birds – (1+2+3+…..+12) x number of birds in each verse.
Thus, the grand total is 936.
Total Number of Birds
If we exclude the number of verses, and and consider just the number of birds, then there are 364 birds in total, starting from day one.
1 Day – 1 partridge – 1
2 Day – 2 turtle doves – 3
3 Day – 3 French hens – 6
4 Day – 4 calling birds – 10
5 Day – 5 gold rings – 15
6 Day – 6 geese a-laying – 21
7 Day – 7 swans a-swimming – 28
8 Day – 8 maids a-milking – 36
9 Day – 9 ladies dancing – 45
10 Day – 10 lords a-leaping – 55
11 Day – 11 pipers piping – 66
12 Day – 12 drummers drumming – 78
What is the Meaning of the Gifts in The 12 Days of Christmas?
Each gift mentioned in the 12 Days of Christmas carol represents a spiritual concept which adds virtue and depth. The song carries a significant message about faith and devotion. The carol is all about hope, redemption and capturing the essence of the Christmas spirit.
Day 1: A Partridge in a Pear Tree
Here the bird represents Jesus Christ, and the fruit tree is a symbol of the cross on which he was crucified. It is a representation of commitment and sacrifice, where the bird is symbolic of devotion and protection. The tree is about eternal life and renewal, this gift is known to set the stage for the things that are about to come and it is also a representation of hope and good wishes. The present is offered as a significance of religion.
Day 2: Two Turtle Doves
These birds were originally meant for meat and egg but later on, they became a symbol of love and devotion. In the religious context, these birds represent the Old and New Testaments of the Holy Bible. According to tradition, the gifts given on each day should be added to the previous gift. So, on day two, one would receive 4 gifts, including two turtle doves, 1 partridge, and accessories. The turtle dove has long been used in many cultural and literary references, if walked to history, as they add a symbolism of love, being monogamous and looking for a mate for life. They represent the peace and love brought by the birth of Jesus.
Day 3: Three French Hens
The gift is about a trio of French poultry also known as three French hens and these birds have been domesticated for 4000 years, being considered to be an excellent egg layer. They represent the Holy Trinity in Christianity and are gifted as a symbol of faith, hope and love. In France, these birds are popular for their egg and meat. The three French hens are symbolic of the three gifts given to Jesus by wise men and are a breed from Normandy called Faverolles. They also have a great benefit on the environmental aspect, making it a popular way of raising backyard chickens. They are a representation of faith, hope, and charity.
Day 4: Four Calling Birds
Four calling birds is a representation of extravagant and lavish gifting tradition during the holiday. These are European blackbirds which have exceptional capability of singing and can also mimic and imitate sounds. Based on the interpretation, these birds are the four Evangelists- Matthew, Mark, Luke and John in the Holy Bible, who spread the word of God. However, in modern culture, these birds are represented as communication and connection between two or more individuals.
Day 5: Five Gold Ring
These rings symbolize eternity and extravagance and after appearing five in number, they represent sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch. These rings are also considered to be a gesture of love and commitment. This tradition originated in ancient Rome, where people exchanged gifts as a symbol of goodwill. Moreover, gold is also a representation of wealth and prosperity, so 5 gold rings are considered to be an extravagant gift. Based on the Holy Bible, the five gold rings represent the five wounds of Christ.
Day 6: Six Geese a-Laying
The origin of this gift idea goes back to 1800 when poultry farming was critical for survival. The 6 geese symbolize balance and harmony and it also signifies trust and devotion as geese are considered to be loyal, fierce and protective. These geese lay 6 eggs and are a significance of abundance, wealth and good fortune. It is said that this tradition originated from the old Twelfth Night and Epiphany traditions, where it was seen that lords used to give gifts to servants. According to the Holy Bible, these geese are also a symbolic representation of the six days of creation.
Day 7: Seven Swans a-Swimming
It is already known that a white swan is a symbol of purity, grace and beauty and so based on the Holy Bible, seven swans indicate seven gifts of the Holy Spirit. The swans are also an emblem of harmony and unison and this is a representation of strong relationships. Also, swans are known to be mates for life, which is an indication of long-lasting commitment which leads to true love. These swans convey the meaning of appreciation and love.
Day 8: Eight Maids-a-Milking
This is considered to be a unique gift where the ladies are considered to be skilled milers who are known to make fresh butter and cheese. It is a symbol of wealth and prosperity, as in medieval times, maintaining a herd of cows was indeed an expensive aspect. Also, the act of milking has the significance of femininity and motherhood. Some even mention that the verses might have been altered to fit different cultures and traditions, making it maids all mending rather than maids-a-milking. In Irish folklore, it has been mentioned that the eighth day is a representation of fairies who arrive after getting attracted to the butter-making process. They would also bestow good luck if they were pleased with the quality of butter produced.
Day 9: Nine Ladies Dancing
On the 9th day, it is a representation of 9 ladies dancing in a graceful motion where they are seen twirling and gliding across the room. They are said to represent a wide range of dancing styles, starting from classical ballet to contemporary jazz. This is a display of breathtaking performance where the ladies are dressed in silky attire and delicate headbands. They are a sight to behold, unforgettable and symbolic of beauty and entertainment.
Day 10: Ten Lords-a-Leaping
On the 10th day, it involves unique and exciting gifts of ten lords who are seen dancing and leaping. It is a significance of traditional hierarchies and class structure which is seen in European culture. This is a symbolic representation of entertainment, social status, wealth and extravagance, affluence and power. The most important aspect is that giving such a gift grabs the attention of one’s position within society, either admiration or critique. It also depicts the giver’s mentality, which includes status, reputation, values and mentality.
Day 11: Eleven Pipers Piping
On the 11th day, it is seen that 11 pipers who are skilled at their work are playing enchanting music which is a symbol of harmonious melodies. They are skilled to manipulate with their instruments and their delightful tunes uplift the spirit of the holiday season. Pipers are considered to be an ancient heritage and they can be traced back to Roman and Greek cultures. Pipers have always been an essential part of celebrations. In Scotland, pipers are given a high honor and it not only represents enjoyment but depicts all the crucial roles played by the members of a society which includes battles, funerals and celebrations.
Day 12: Twelve Drummers Drumming
12th day is represented as 12 skilled drummers who are seen tapping on the drums rhythmically and stirring the mood of the festival. They announce the arrival of the joyous occasions which are heard by resonating through their drums. In the Holy Bible, the 12 drummers are a symbolic representation of the 12 apostles. Based on medieval customs, it is believed that drummers used to accompany lordly processions. They were also part of military tactics and also believed to have therapeutic properties to relieve emotional and physical stress. This gift is said to represent harmony and unity.
What Does the 12 Days Represent?
The 12 days are marked as the period between Christmas Day and Epiphany (6th January) where Jesus’s birth is celebrated, showcasing love, friendship and goodwill.
