Originally published at Churchpop
It’s a common claim among Catholics that the English Christmas carol “The Twelve Days of Christmas” is a secret code for Catholic teachings used when Catholicism was illegal in England.
Since Catholicism was illegal in England from the 16th to the 19th centuries, tradition holds that the song was a mini-Catechism to help teach the faith secretly to Catholic children.
Here’s what the different gifts traditionally symbolize:Caroline Perkins, ChurchPOPPartridge in a Pear Tree = Jesus Christ2 Turtle Doves = The Old and New Testaments3 French Hens = Faith, Hope and Charity, the Theological VirtuesCaroline Perkins, ChurchPOP4 Calling Birds = The Four Gospels and/or the Four Evangelists5 Golden Rings = The Pentateuch, the first Five Books of the Old Testament6 Geese A-laying = The six days of creationCaroline Perkins, ChurchPOP7 Swans A-swimming = The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit8 Maids A-milking = The eight beatitudes9 Ladies Dancing = The nine Fruits of the Holy SpiritCaroline Perkins, ChurchPOP10 Lords A-leaping = The ten commandments11 Pipers Piping = The eleven faithful apostles12 Drummers Drumming = The twelve points of doctrine in the Apostle’s Creed
Note that some versions of the theory have slightly different interpretations of the code.
Catholic News Agency explains,
“The ‘True Love’ one hears
