The 12 days of Christmas starts with the Christmas day and finishes in the day of Epiphany on 5th January. Each of the 12 days of Christmas bears a religious significance and is symbolized by following the lyrics of the twelve days of Christmas.
The poem in general view is a rhyme set to music but it is not just a poetry it has a special reason hidden inside its wordings. Roman Catholics in England during the period 1558 to 1829 were prohibited to practice their faith by law in private or in public. It was a crime to be a Roman Catholic. The 12 days of Christmas poem was written in England in order to let the secret followers of Roman Catholic learn the tenets of their religion. The law was harsh enough for people showing any kind of adherence to the religion. Any of the citizens when caught for writing anything bearing adherence to Roman Catholic faith was deported to America or put behind the bars.
The gifts that the song bears are hidden meanings of the teachings of Roman Catholic faith. " True Love" in the poem is not an earthly suitor but it symbolizes the almighty God. |
