Is there some type of legend or something behind it? Because i really dont understand why there are only 12 days and not 30 days because that is how many December has. And how about the song, does that have something to do with it?
2007-11-08 13:35:55 · 18 answers · asked by Cutie 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Mythology & Folklore
In the Church, the day technically begins at sunset. Therefore, Christmas begins at sundown on December 24th, which we very appropriately call "Christmas Eve." The Christmas Season, which begins with Christmas Eve, ends on the eve of Epiphany, which is sundown on January 5th. Therefore, Christmas lasts twelve days, and the period from sundown on December 24th to sundown on January 5th is called the "Twelve Days of Christmas."
In "The Twelve Days Of Christmas" song, it's not "calling birds"; it's supposed to be "coally birds." That's a old term for "blackbirds."
The first seven days all refer to birds. The "five golden rings" are not the kind you wear on your finger; rather, they are the markings around the neck of a pheasant.
2007-11-09 02:42:47 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
The Twelve Days of Christmas and the associated evenings of those twelve days (Twelve-tide), are the festive days beginning the evening of Christmas Day (December 25) through the morning of Epiphany on (January 6).
The associated evenings of the twelve days begin on the evening before the specified day.
Thus, the first night of Christmas is December 25–26, and Twelfth Night is January 5–6.
This period is also known as Christmastide.
That's from wiki. Hope that answered your question!
2007-11-08 21:45:11 · answer #2 · answered by oliva 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Twelve Days of Christmas and the associated evenings of those twelve days (Twelve-tide), are the festive days beginning the evening of Christmas Day (December 25) through the morning of Epiphany on (January 6). The associated evenings of the twelve days begin on the evening before the specified day. Thus, the first night of Christmas is December 25–26, and Twelfth Night is January 5–6. This period is also known as Christmastide.
The Twelve Days of Christmas as a celebration and festival is old and steeped in traditions from Christian cultures around the world. For many, the idea of the 12 days as a length of celebration is based on a sequence of verses in the Holy Bible, and a belief that it may have taken 12 days for the three kings (also called wise men or magi) to travel to Bethlehem.
2007-11-08 21:51:01 · answer #3 · answered by Rachelle_of_Shangri_La 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
There are 31 days in December - NOT 30.
2007-11-08 21:39:06 · answer #4 · answered by dryheatdave 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am sorry I don't have time to find you a source on this one. But from what I have read the song the 12 days of Christmas have to do with teaching the christian religion in places where it was not commonly accepted. The different parts of the song are symbols of different things in the bible. The idea was for people to disguise teaching their children about Christianity. There are books about holiday songs and their origins that are really fun to read. You're sure to find the answer in one of those.
Hope that helps some :)
2007-11-08 21:41:43 · answer #5 · answered by Christine 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
its mostly just a song, besides Jesus was born in the spring so the number of days in december have nothing to do with christmas. The only reason we celebrate christmas in december is because the roman catholic church wanted to cover the pagan winter solstice holiday and convert pagans to christianity. Maybe the 12days has something to do with that.
2007-11-08 21:41:50 · answer #6 · answered by Panda 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the song is nothing more than a song, but the 12 days of christmas is real. the wise men were told about the birth of jesus, but it took them 12 more days to get there... so the wisemen didn't get there until January 6th, and by the way december has 31 days. in my family, we open one present a day, so that we remember the 12 days that the wisemen traveled carrying their gifts. haha, it is more fun that way, and when we were really little kids, we enjoyed each of our new presenst and really appreciated them.
2007-11-08 21:42:13 · answer #7 · answered by roundtowngirl 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
because the 11 days of Christmas or 13 days wouldn't flow very well in a song.
2007-11-08 21:39:27 · answer #8 · answered by Pat 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I believe it has to do with the arrival of the Magi in Bethlehem. January 6th is celebrated as a religious holiday in the RC calendar.
2007-11-08 21:39:08 · answer #9 · answered by cattbarf 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It was borrowed the pagan, mostly Norse Yuletide and incorporated into Christmas tide. I'm not sure anyone but the pagans still celebrate the 12 days though. Your more then welcome to join us though! LOL
2007-11-09 13:24:10 · answer #10 · answered by ~Heathen Princess~ 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋