The Birds Of The Twelve Days Of Christmas
- The partridge is a member of the pheasant family and has been a traditional game bird in the UK for centuries.
- The turtle dove ( Streptopelia turtur) is a summer visitor to the UK that is sadly declining in numbers.
- Capons are cockerels that have been castrated to make the meat more tender. ...
Full Answer
How many birds total in the 12 days of Christmas?
That is, on the first day of Christmas, your true love might give you a partridge in a pear tree. On the second day, you’ll receive another partridge plus two turtledoves. By the end of 12 days, you’ll have 12 partridges (and their pricey perches!), 24 turtle doves, 60 golden rings (yikes!) … you get the picture.
Why there are only 12 days of Christmas?
The 12 days themselves are simply the time between the two major Christmas feasts: the Nativity of the Lord on December 25 and Epiphany on January 6. Since Christmas was the major “birth” feast in the ancient Western churches and Epiphany was the biggie for the Eastern churches, the days between them inevitably gained significance.
How much do the '12 days of Christmas' actually cost?
For example, on the third day of Christmas you are actually supposed to buy 10 Lords-a-Leaping, 11 Pipers Piping AND 12 Drummers Drumming. On the 12th day of Christmas you are buying all 364 items at once. If you follow these rules, the real price of the 12 Days of Christmas rises to $107,300!
When does the 12 days of Christmas officially begin?
Then, on December 25, Christmas Day itself ushers in 12 days of celebration, ending only on January 6 with the feast of the Epiphany. Exhortations to follow this calendar rather than the secular one have become routine at this time of year.
How many types of birds are mentioned in the 12 days of Christmas?
For bird enthusiasts, however, the song sticks out for another reason. In addition to lords, pipers, and golden rings, the song's repetitive lyrics mention six different varieties of birds. While they wouldn't make great pets, they would still make for an impressive gift centuries after the song's first publication.
What are the 4 calling birds in the 12 days of Christmas?
Variations of the lyricsSourceGiver4Halliwell, 1842My mother sent to meCanary birdsRimbault, 1846My mother sent to meCanary birdsHalliwell, 1853My true love sent to meColly birdsSalmon, 1855My true love sent to meCollie birds19 more rows
What six types of bird are mentioned in the song The 12 Days of Christmas?
All the Birds in the SongA Partridge (In A Pear Tree) Red-Legged Partridge. ... Two Turtle Doves. Close up of two European turtle doves (Streptopelia turtur) in grass, Bulgaria. ... Three French Hens. Three “French” hens. ... Four Calling Birds. The Eurasian Blackbird has a musical song. ... Six Geese A-Laying. Greylag Geese.
Why are birds given 12 days of Christmas?
Aside from the famous partridge, he or she gives the narrator more doves, hens, "calling birds," geese and swans than anyone really needs. The song's 12-day theme is a religious reference, based on the biblical interval between Christ's birth and the arrival of the Magi (aka three kings or wise men).
What do 4 calling birds represent?
Two Turtle Doves were the Old and New Testament. Three French Hens stood for faith, hope and love. Four Calling Birds were the four Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke & John. Five Golden Rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament.
What does 4 calling birds mean?
4 Calling Birds = the Four Gospels and/or the Four Evangelists. 5 Golden Rings = The first Five Books of the Old Testament, the “Pentateuch,” which gives the history of man's fall from grace. 6 Geese A-laying = the six days of creation. 7 Swans A-swimming = the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, the seven sacraments.
What does seven swans a swimming mean?
The meaning of the Seven Swans A Swimming The Seven Swans a Swimming verse represents the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit (Romans 12:6-8). Prophesy, service, teaching, encouraging, giving, leadership & mercy.
Are turtle doves pigeons?
The turtle dove is a small pigeon, just a little bit smaller than collared dove.
Are golden rings birds?
The golden rings are actually ring-necked birds. Common (Ring-necked) Pheasants (Phasianus colchicus) were introduced to England from China and other parts of Asia in medieval times. Like so many of the birds of that era, pheasants were yet another source of sustenance.
What is the most Christmassy bird?
Birds are associated with Christmas. Robins are a favourite on Christmas cards and turkey, geese and chickens are all feasted on. The traditional carol “The Twelve Days of Christmas” features an array of birds most of which would have been eaten at this festive time.
What bird is associated with Xmas?
Whatever its true origin, there can be no doubt that, when it comes to birds on Christmas cards, the robin reigns supreme.
What does seven swans a swimming mean?
The meaning of the Seven Swans A Swimming The Seven Swans a Swimming verse represents the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit (Romans 12:6-8). Prophesy, service, teaching, encouraging, giving, leadership & mercy.
What are the five golden rings?
Five Golden Rings are symbolic of the Pentateuch, the first five Books of the Old Testament: Genesis, Exodus, Numbers, Leviticus, and Deuteronomy.
Are golden rings birds?
The golden rings are actually ring-necked birds. Common (Ring-necked) Pheasants (Phasianus colchicus) were introduced to England from China and other parts of Asia in medieval times. Like so many of the birds of that era, pheasants were yet another source of sustenance.
Are turtle doves pigeons?
The turtle dove is a small pigeon, just a little bit smaller than collared dove.
What are the 12 days of Christmas?
By Christine Henrichs – Understanding the 12 Days of Christmas meaning adds something special to this favorite traditional carol. Its repeating verses make it fun to learn the list of traditional gifts: A partridge in a pear tree, two turtle doves, three French hens, four calling birds, five gold rings, six geese a-laying, seven swans a-swimming, eight maids a-milking, nine ladies dancing, 10 lords a-leaping, 11 pipers piping and 12 drummers drumming, all reflect things that were familiar to life in 18th century England and France.
What was the geese breed?
Geese have been hunted and tamed and domesticated since the early days of settled agricultural life. West of England Geese, also known as Old English geese, may well be the breed that came over with the Pilgrims on the Mayflower. They were an important American regional breed, particularly in New England.
What is the most charismatic bird?
Swans are one of the most charismatic birds. Their graceful flight and peaceful beauty as they glide across the water have inspired humans to find spiritual meaning in them. Iron Age Britons, eighth century BC and later, considered them supernatural. Mute swans are the traditional birds of folklore. Although migratory, they became semi-domesticated in Britain by the 10th century.
What breed of cattle did maids milk?
In the 16th and 17th centuries, cattle breeds were as different from modern cattle as poultry breeds are. Devon cattle were among the breeds that the maids may well have been milking.
What were the nine ladies dancing?
The nine ladies dancing, ten lords a-leaping, eleven pipers piping and twelve drummers drumming also reflect aspects of life in the 18th century. The social system placed Lords and Ladies above the common people living on the farms, the Pipers Piping and Drummers Drumming who entertained them. Their performance would have been an expression of military strength as well as general festivities, dancing and making merry. They all would have appreciated the birds that came to the feast.
What is a partridge bird?
The partridge is a colorful choice for the first gift. Partridges include lots of different species with bright plumage on their rotund bodies. The gray or English partridge, a Eurasian native, was known in England then. It came to North America around the turn of the 20th century, directly from Eurasia. It has adapted well and is now fairly common in North America. They are hardy birds, able to survive cold winter conditions in the Midwest and Canada. They aren’t much for flying, with a stocky body and short, round wings. Most flights are low, at eye level and shorter than 100 yards. They are 12 to 13 inches long with a wingspan of 21 to 22 inches and weigh about one pound.
What does "calling" mean in birds?
On Day Four, the “calling” birds were originally “collie” or “colley” birds, meaning black-as-coal blackbirds. My poultry mind wants to stretch and consider that they could have been black domestic fowls, such as the old French breeds, all of which were often black, or black Spanish chickens. Black turkeys also were popular in the 18th century in Europe.
How many birds are in a pear tree?
Day 6 – 6 geese-a-laying, 4 colly birds, 3 French hens, 2 turtle doves and a partridge in a pear tree (16 birds) Day 7 – 7 swans-a-swimming, 6 geese-a-laying, 4 colly birds, 3 French hens, 2 turtle doves and a partridge in a pear tree (23 birds) Add all the days together and you get 184 birds.
How many birds are in the 12 days of Christmas?
There is a total of 184 birds in the 12 Days of Christmas. Here’s how to work it out: Day 1 – a partridge in a pear tree (1 bird) Day 2 – 2 turtle doves and a partridge in a pear tree (3 birds) Day 3 – 3 French hens, 2 turtle doves and a partridge in a pear tree (6 birds)
Four Calling Birds: What Does That Mean?
I once received an interesting phone call from the local newspaper. The reporter knew that I was active in the “bird world” and that I raised parrots. He presented me with some interesting questions: “What is a calling bird?” and “How much does it cost to get one?"
Calling Birds Are Actually "Colly Birds" or Blackbirds
The "calling bird" in the song is a variation on the word "colly bird" or "collie bird." The definition of colly is "black," and it comes from the old word for coal. So, simply put, a calling bird is a blackbird.
Would Your True Love Really Want Blackbirds?
Needless to say, I wasn’t much help in finding the cost of a blackbird for the gentleman on the phone. Despite their flute-like calls, I am still unsure as to why someone would want to give a blackbird to their true love, much less four of them.
