It refers to the Christmas Day through January 5th. It's a religious holiday type thing.
On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
A partridge in a pear tree
On the second day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
Two turtle doves
and a partridge in a pear tree.
On the third day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
Three french hens
two turtle doves
anda partridge in a pear tree.
On the fourth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
four calling birds
three french hens
two turtle doves
and a partridge in a pear tree.
On the fifth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
Five golden rings!
Four calling birds,
Three french hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.
On the fifth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
Six geese a layin'
Five golden rings!
Four calling birds,
Three french hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.
On the fifth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
Seven swans a swimmin'
Six geese a layin'
Five golden rings!
Four calling birds,
Three french hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.
On the fifth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
Eight maids a milkin'
Seven swans a swimmin'
Six geese a layin'
Five golden rings!
Four calling birds,
Three french hens,
Two turtle doves,
On the fifth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
Nine ladies dancin'
Eight maids a milkin'
Seven swans a swimmin'
Six geese a layin'
Five golden rings!
Four calling birds,
Three french hens,
Two turtle doves,
On the fifth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
Nine ladies dancing,
Eight maids a milkin'
Seven swans a swimmin'
Six geese a layin'
Five golden rings!
Four calling birds,
Three french hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.
On the fifth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
Ten lords a-leapin'
Nine ladies dancing,
Eight maids a milkin'
Seven swans a swimmin'
Six geese a layin'
Five golden rings!
Four calling birds,
Three french hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.
On the fifth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
Eleven pipers piping,
Ten lords a-leapin,
Nine ladies dancing,
Eight maids a-milkin'
Seven swans a-swimmin'
Six geese a-layin'
Five golden rings!
Four calling birds,
Three french hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.
On the fifth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
Twelve drummers drumming,
Eleven pipers piping,
Ten lords a-leapin,
Nine ladies dancing,
Eight maids a-milkin'
Seven swans a-swimmin'
Six geese a-layin'
Five golden rings!
Four calling birds,
Three french hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree!
Religious significance of the song:
1 True Love refers to God
2 Turtle Doves refers to the Old and New Testaments
3 French Hens refers to Faith, Hope and Charity, the Theological Virtues
4 Calling Birds refers to the Four Gospels and/or the Four Evangelists
5 Golden Rings refers to the first Five Books of the Old Testament, the "Pentateuch", which gives the history of man's fall from grace.
6 Geese A-laying refers to the six days of creation
7 Swans A-swimming refers to the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, the seven sacraments
8 Maids A-milking refers to the eight beatitudes
9 Ladies Dancing refers to the nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit
10 Lords A-leaping refers to the ten commandments
11 Pipers Piping refers to the eleven faithful apostles
12 Drummers Drumming refers to the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostle's Creed
Taken from: http://www.carols.org.uk/the_twelve_days_of_christmas.htm
1. a patridge a pear tree
2. 2 turtle doves
3. 3 french hens
4. 4 calling birds
5. 5 golden rings
6. 6 geese of laying
7. 7 swans of swimming
8. 8 maids of milking
9. 9 ladies dancing
10. 10 lords of leaping
11. 11 pipers piping
12. 12 drummers drumming
1Yes. The "Twelve Days" are the days after Christmas, leading up to Epiphany. Note that Christmas itself isn't one of the twelve days; it is the twelve days *after* Christmas that count! There were once traditions associated with each of the twelve days; I recommend reading John Matthew's "The Winter Solstice: The Sacred Traditions of Christmas" for details on those traditions.You will sometimes read that the Twelve Days count Christmas, but NOT Epiphany; as evidence, it will be offered that the night of January 5 is called "Twelfth Night." This is both accurate and inaccurate, and to understand it, you must know the following:In ancient English tradition, DAYS and NIGHTS were recorded separately. That is, what we call "Monday" ("monandaeg" in Anglo-Saxon) ended at sundown,a nd what we call "Monday night" was actually, literally, "Mon-night" (monannicht in A-S).What does this mean? The "Twelve" count begins on *Christmas night,* which is the "first night." The next day, December 26, is the "first day;" the night of December 2h the "second night," and so on. So the eve of January 5 *is* Twelfth Night, and the day of January 6 is the Twelfth Day of Christmas.It is sometimes claimed that the Twelve Days correspond to a scattered number of important Christian days in December and January, including St. Nicholas Day on December 6th, but this is wrong.Also wrong is the myth that the 'Twelve Days of Christmas" is somehow a coded Catholic catechism. Evidence against this can be found on the Snopes website.2The song, "The Twelve Days of Christmas" has everything to do with the Christian tradition of Epiphany. Some modern Christians have even associated each gift with a symbolic of a Christian tradition: True love is symbolic of God. The partridge in the pear tree is a symbol of Jesus. The pear tree is the symbol of the salvation of man, just as the fruit tree in the garden of Eden symbolized the downfall of man. [2?] Three French hens are the symbol of faith, hope and love. The four calling birds are symbolic of the four Gospel writers. [5?] Six geese a laying represent the 6 days of creation. 7 swans a swimming - the 7 gifts of the Holy Spirit. [8 and 9?] Ten lords a leaping -- the 10 commandments. [11?] 12 drummers -- the 12 tribes of Israel or the 12 Apostles. The number 12 also represents completion and fullness.There is no accurate evidence that the song originally held such meanings, but it's wonderful that modern Christians have been able to interpret the song so!
At the beginning of December most Indonesians decorate their homes, inside and out. When they decorate their Christmas tree, they decorate it with strings of popcorn and glass bulbs. After their church service many families meet, and have a large Christmas dinner together. Sometimes they even past out gifts to each other. Christmas time in Indonesia is time to praise God. About 5% of the people are Christians. They also have festivals and events on Christmas day. The Indonesians starts to shop on month from Christmas. People rush to the stores, because the stores have limited stocks. Gifts under the tree and filled stockings are popular on Christmas morning. Christmas parties and special musical performances are held on Christmas day. Children go to orphanage and deliver gifts and food to the orphanages. They even make functions, so that the less fortunate can have a good Christmas.
It's not 78 as some people say, it's 364 because it's an accumulative song with each verse building on the last. The first verse has 1 gift, the second verse has 2 + 1 gifts. The third verse has 3 + 2 + 1 gifts etc until the last verse which has 12 + 11 + 10 + 9 + 8 + 7 + 6 + 5 + 4 + 3 + 2 + 1. Thereby giving a total of 364 gifts. If you received all the gifts as stated in the song for each day, you would actually have 364 gifts: Partridges: 1 × 12 = 12 (one each day for 12 days) Doves: 2 × 11 = 22 (two each day for 11 days) Hens 3 × 10 = 30 Calling birds: 4 × 9 = 36 Golden rings: 5 × 8 = 40 Geese: 6 × 7 = 42 Swans: 7 × 6 = 42 Maids: 8 × 5 = 40 Ladies: 9 × 4 = 36 Lords: 10 × 3 = 30 Pipers: 11 × 2 = 22 Drummers: 12 × 1 = 12 Total = 364
Add up the number of each day for the 12 days. (1+2+3+4+5+6.....+11+12) You will ultimately get a total of 78 items. Answer: 78 items is what you get on Day 12. If you listen, on day 1, it's the partridge in a pear tree. But on day 2 it's two turtle doves AND a partridge in a pear tree. By day 12, you have 12 partridges + 22 turtle doves + 30 french hens +...It's 364 items, one for each day of the year!
In recent years, the Radio City Christmas Spectacular opens in early to mid-November and closes on December 30. That's approximately 40-50 days, with anywhere from two to six shows each day. However, there are two casts of Rockettes, so each lady dances in only half of the approximately 200 shows each season.
There is no specific mention of anything unlucky during the twelve days of Christmas. The song "The Twelve Days of Christmas" is a joyful and celebratory song that highlights the gifts given by a true love each day.
Giving a gift for the twelve days of Christmas is up to each family. Personally, I believe it would be fun, but it might get a bit costly. I think doing something nice for each member of the family for the twelve days of Christmas is a good alternative.
By adding up the total number of gifts given on each of the 12 days.
There was a Twistmas item released most days during the Christmas period. Twistmas gifts are released on Moshi Monsters each day during the twelve days of Christmas. This has been an event for several years, so there are many Twistmas items on Moshi Monsters.
It is said that if a mince pie is eaten on each of the twelve days of Christmas, it will bring good luck for the following year. Most people do not make mince pies anymore.
The wise men brought gifts to Jesus after His birth.
Christmas coincides with an ancient Greek holiday in which men would party and have sex with each other as well as exchanging gifts.
you give people gifts because the wise men gave gifts to Jesus
12 drummers11 pipers10 lords9 ladies8 maids7 swans6 geese5 rings4 calling birds3 French hens2 turtle doves1 partridge in pear tree78 totalAssuming the gifts are repeated in full in each round of the song, then a total of 364 items are delivered by the twelfth day.
In New Zealand we celebrate Christmas by giving or sending gifts to each other and spending time with family we also have a christmas brekfast lunch or dinner
norway
There are billions of dollars that are spent each year in the United States on gifts. The bulk of this money is spent on Christmas gifts.