What is the religious symbolism of The 12 days of Christmas.?

Answer 1

1st day - Partridge/Christ

2nd day - Turtle Doves/New & Old Testaments

3rd day - French Hens/Virtues of Faith, Hope, and Love

4th day - Calling Birds/Gospels Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John

5th day - Golden Rings/Pentateuch, (1st 5 books of the Bible/Torah) - Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy

6th day - Geese/Six days of creation

7th day - Swans/Gifts of the Holy Spirit, 1) prophecy, 2) ministry, 3) teaching, 4) exhortation, 5) giving, 6) leading, and 7) compassion

8th day - Maids/Beatitudes, 1) Blessed are the poor in spirit, 2) those who mourn, 3) the meek, 4) those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, 5) the merciful, 6) the pure in heart, 7) the peacemakers, 8) those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake

9th day - Ladies/fruits of the Holy Spirit, 1) love, 2) joy, 3) peace, 4) patience, 5) kindness, 6) generosity, 7) faithfulness, 8) gentleness, and 9) self-control

10th day - Lords/Commandments, 1) You shall have no other gods before me; 2) Do not make an idol; 3) Do not take God's name in vain; 4) Remember the Sabbath Day; 5) Honor your father and mother; 6) Do not murder; 7) Do not commit adultery; 8) Do not steal; 9) Do not bear false witness; 10) Do not covet

11th day - Pipers/Faithful Apostles, 1) Simon Peter, 2) Andrew, 3) James, 4) John, 5) Philip, 6) Bartholomew, 7) Matthew, 8) Thomas, 9) James bar Alphaeus, 10) Simon the Zealot, 11) Judas bar James. (Luke 6:14-16). The list does not include the twelfth disciple, Judas Iscariot who betrayed Jesus to the religious leaders and the Romans

12th day - Drummers/Points of the Apostle's Creed: 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. He descended into hell [the grave]. 5) On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. 6) He will come again to judge the living and the dead. 7) I believe in the Holy Spirit, 8) the holy catholic Church, 9) the communion of saints, 10) the forgiveness of sins, 11) the resurrection of the body, 12) and life everlasting


That list is pretty complete, but the source site has a little more information if you'd like it.

Answer 2

The Twelve days of Christmas are part of the liturgical church calendar. In western churches, Christmas is celebrated on Dec. 25. Twelve days later is the feast of the Epiphany (also known as the showing forth of the Christ to the Gentiles.) This is the day that the church sets aside as the day that the Wisemen (Magi) arrived and presented thier gifts to the Christ-child.