From the middle of the 16th century through the early 19th century, Roman Catholics in England were not allowed to openly practice their faith. As a result, the familiar Christmas carol, the 12 Days of Christmas, was written as a teaching tool, that contained a ‘hidden’ message that only the members of the Church would understand. Each element in the carol is a code word for some teaching of the Church. Because the words were put to music it was an easy way for children to remember the tenets of their faith.

• The partridge in a pear tree is Jesus Christ, the long-awaited Messiah;
• The two turtle doves represent the Old and New Testaments;
• The three French hens stood for the theological virtues of Faith, Hope, and love;
• The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John;
• The five golden rings recall the Torah, the first five books of the Old Testament which represent the Law;
• The six geese a-laying represent the six days of creation;
• The seven swans a-swimming represent the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit: Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Knowledge, Piety, and Fear of the Lord;
• The eight maids a-milking stand for the eight beatitudes;
• The nine ladies dancing are the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-control;
• The ten lords a-leaping are the Ten Commandments;
• The eleven pipers stand for the eleven faithful disciples;
• The twelve drummers drumming symbolize the twelve points of belief in the Apostles Creed.