The Twelve Days of Christmas is one of the most famous Christmas carols ever written. It has been sung for a great many years, and is known the world over. To most it is a delightful hymn, but it was originally created with a very serious intent. In England between the years of 1558 and 1829, it was illegal to practice Catholicism in public or private. It was essentially a crime to be Catholic in England during those years.
The Twelve Days of Christmas was written to help preserve the traditions of the Catholic faith during the years that Catholicism was banned in England. The song is steeped in symbolism, and the fact that it is so well known throughout the world is a testament to the faith of the followers of the Catholic doctrine. The symbols contained in the song are as follows:
1st verse “True Love” refers to God.
2nd verse “2 Turtle Doves” refers to the Old and New Testaments.
3rd verse “3 French Hens” refers to Faith, Hope, and Charity.
4th verse “4 Calling Birds” refers to the Four Gospels or the Four Evangelists.
5th verse “5 Golden Rings” refers to the first...