What Are The 12 Days Of Christmas And Their Meanings?

On the first days of “Christmas My True Love Gave To Me” The 12 Days of Christmas comes from the Christmas carol we all know and love. But it also has a religious meaning and refers to the 12 days following Christmas, which when you read and digest it’s all rather wonderful. So what are the Twelve Days Of Christmas and Their Meanings?

The 12 Days Of Christmas And Their Meanings?

This begins on the 25th December with the birth of Jesus Christ and ends on the 6th January with the arrival of the Three Wise Men, this day is also known as the Epiphany or Three Kings Day. So what does each day represent?

Words To The 12 Days Of Christmas

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

On the second day of Christmas, my true love sent to me
Two turtledoves
And a partridge in a pear tree

On the third day of Christmas, my true love sent to me
Three French hens
Two turtledoves
And a partridge in a pear tree

On the fourth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me
Four calling birds
Three French hens
Two turtledoves
And a partridge in a pear tree

On the fifth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me
Five gold rings (five golden rings)
Four calling birds
Three French hens
Two turtledoves
And a partridge in a pear tree

On the sixth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me
Six geese a-laying
Five gold rings (five golden rings)
Four calling birds
Three French hens
Two turtledoves
And a partridge in a pear tree

On the seventh day of Christmas, my true love sent to me
Seven swans a-swimming
Six geese a-laying
Five gold rings (five golden rings)
Four calling birds
Three French hens
Two turtledoves
And a partridge in a pear tree

On the eighth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me
Eight maids a-milking
Seven swans a-swimming
Six geese a-laying
Five gold rings (five golden rings)
Four calling birds
Three French hens
Two turtledoves
And a partridge in a pear tree

On the ninth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me
Nine ladies dancing
Eight maids a-milking
Seven swans a-swimming
Six geese a-laying
Five gold rings (five golden rings)
Four calling birds
Three French hens
Two turtledoves
And a partridge in a pear tree

On the tenth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me
Ten lords a-leaping
Nine ladies dancing
Eight maids a-milking
Seven swans a-swimming
Six geese a-laying
Five gold rings (five golden rings)
Four calling birds
Three French hens
Two turtledoves
And a partridge in a pear tree

On the eleventh day of Christmas, my true love sent to me
I sent eleven pipers piping
Ten lords a-leaping
Nine ladies dancing
Eight maids a-milking
Seven swans a-swimming
Six geese a-laying
Five gold rings (five golden rings)
Four calling birds
Three French hens
Two turtledoves
And a partridge in a pear tree

On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me
Twelve drummers drumming
Eleven pipers piping
Ten lords a-leaping
Nine ladies dancing
Eight maids a-milking
Seven swans a-swimming
Six geese a-laying
Five gold rings (five golden rings)
Four calling birds
Three French hens
Two turtledoves
And a partridge in a pear tree

Get a printable version of the Twelve Days Of Christmas here.

What Are The 12 Days Of Christmas

1. A Partridge in a Pear Tree – Represents Jesus Christ
2. Two Turtle Doves – The Old and New Testaments
3. Three French Hens – The three virtues of Faith, Hope and Charity
4. Four Calling Birds – The four gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John
5. Five Golden Rings – The first five books of the Old Testament
6. Six Geese-a-Laying – Represent the six days of creation
7. Seven Swans-a-Swimming – Seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, the seven sacraments
8. Eight Maids-a-Milking – The eight Beatitudes
9. Nine Ladies Dancing – Nine fruits of the Holy Spirit
10. Ten Lords-a-Leaping – The Ten Commandments
11. Eleven Pipers Piping – Eleven faithful disciples
12. Twelve Drummers Drumming -Twelve points of belief in the Apostles’ Creed

What Are The Meanings Of All Of The 12 Days Of Christmas?

I find it fascinating when you analyse the song that all of the meanings relate to religious events, thus I have put together a little list of all the meanings and where needed an explanation.

Day 1, A Partridge in a Pear Tree

The partridge in a pear tree in the Twelve Days Of Christmas represents Jesus, the Son of God, whose birthday we celebrate on the first day of Christmas.

Two Turtle Doves, Day 2 Of The 12 Days Of Christmas

The Two Turtle Doves in the song represent the Old and New Testaments.

Day 3, Three French Hens

Three French Hens represent the three three virtues of….

• Faith
• Hope
• Charity

Four Calling Birds, The 12 Days Of Christmas

The Four Calling Birds represent the four gospels….

• Matthew
• Mark
• Luke
• John

The Meaning Day 5 Of The 12 Days Of Christmas, 5 Gold Rings

Five gold rings represents the first 5 books of the Old Testament, these are….

• Genesis.
• Exodus.
• Leviticus.
• Numbers.
• Deuteronomy.

What Is The Meaning Of Six Geese-a-Laying in The 12 Days Of Christmas

Six Geese-a-Laying represents “The Six Days Of Creation”

1. On the first day – god created light and darkness
2. The second day – the sky was created
3. On the third day – dry land, seas, plants and trees were created
4. The fourth day – the Sun, Moon and stars were created
5. The fifth day – Creatures that live in the sea and creatures that fly were created
6. The sixth day – God created all the creatures that live on dry land.

Day 7, Seven Swans-a-Swimming

Seven Swans-a-Swimming represents the Seven Gifts Of The Holy Spirit which are….

1. Wisdom
2. Understanding
3. Counsel
4. Fortitude
5. Knowledge
6. Piety
7. And Fear of the Lord.

What Does Eight Maids-a-Milking Represent In The 12 Days Of Christmas?

Eight Maids-a-Milking represents The Eight Beatitudes, these are….

1. Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
2. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
3. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
4. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
5. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
6. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
7. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
8. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Day 9, What Are Nine Ladies Dancing?

Nine Ladies Dancing represent The Nine fruits of the Holy Spirit, which are……

1. Love
2. Joy
3. Peace
4. Longsuffering
5. Kindness
6. Goodness
7. Faithfulness
8. Gentleness
9. Self-control

What Is The Meaning Of Day 10, Ten Lords-a-Leaping?

Ten Lords-a-Leaping represents The Ten Commandments, these are….

1. You shall have no other God’s before me.
2. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven images.
3. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.
4. Remember the Sabbath day and keep it Holy.
5. Honor your father and mother.
6. Thou shalt not kill.  
7. Thou shalt not commit adultery.
8. Thou shalt not steal.
9. Thou shall not bear false witness.
10. You shall not covet.

What Does Eleven Pipers Piping Represent In Day 11 Of The 12 Days Of Christmas?

Eleven Pipers Piping represent The Eleven faithful disciples, there were…..

1. Simon Peter
2. Andrew
3. James son of Zebedee
4. John
5. Philip
6. Bartholomew,
7. Matthew
8. Thomas,
9. Jamesson of Alphaeus
10. Simon
11. Judas son of James. (Not to be mistaken with Judas Iscariot)

And Finally Day 12, What Does Twelve Drummers Drumming Mean?

Twelve Drummers Drumming are the Twelve points of belief in the Apostles’ Creed, these are…..

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 God the Father Almighty.
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,
10. The forgiveness of sins,
11. The resurrection of the body,
12. The life everlasting.

Get Our Free 12 Days Of Christmas Printables

And thats it a wonderful round up of the meaning of the Christmas Carole the 12 days of Christmas. You can also get our free 12 days of Christmas printable’s here.