Recently, my mother sent me this great piece (author unknown) all about different Christmas traditions around the world (some with gorgeous photos) & at the very end of this piece was a description of the hidden meaning in the 12 days of Christmas song. It was an interesting bit of history:
From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly. Someone during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics.
It has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church. Each element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality which the children could remember.
-The 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.
-The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke & John.
-The five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament.
-The 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, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy.
-The eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes.
-Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit--Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control.
-The ten lords a-leaping were the ten commandments.
-The eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples.
-The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostles' Creed.
While I can't top the story, it sparked an idea to do a 12 days of Christmas promotion, so for each day until Christmas I will post a Christmas special through my shop/shops on Twitter. If you don't already follow, add me to you list so that you can see the specials. For anyone who does not have a Twitter account, I will edit this post, each day to include these specials.
Do you know of any interesting holiday historical facts?
I hope everyone has a wonderful '12 days of Christmas' or is having a great season, whatever holidays you do or do not celebrate! SAM
Day one: Vintage rhinestone 'party' pin set with case
Day 2 Tattoo Sailor Girl Sails the Seas of Peace OOAK skirt
Day 3 The King & Queen of Hearts framed embroidery set
Day 4 While the City Sleeps Messenger Bag
Day 5 Hidden Dragons bag
Day 6 Peace, Love & Balance a small easel framed embroidery samsstuff on ArtFire
Day 7 Pink Keepsake Box
Day 8 Rhinestone Hearts & Skulls Bracelet
Day 9 Peace Dots Keepsake Box
Day 10 Sunshine Keepsake Box
Day 11 Peace & Balance Choker
Day 12 Pretty Bird Bracelet
I've gotten behind on this (work, etc.) I'll catch up & leave everything up until 1/1/10. Buy a little something for yourself? New Year's? Start early for Valentine's Day?
