On the seventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me:
Seven swans a-swimming
Six geese a-laying
Five gold(en) rings
Four calling birds
Three French hens
Two turtle doves
And a partridge in a pear tree!
Special Facts: The swan is a symbol of beauty, purity, elegance, harmony, and divinity. All definite traits of our Beloved Lord and Savior as well as His dedicated followers. The swan also represents balance; the Lord Himself said there must be a balance in all things. Love and discipline. Justice and mercy. Joy and sorrow. Work and rest. Day and night.
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On the eighth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me:
Eight maids a-milking
Seven swans a-swimming
Seven swans a-swimming
Six geese a-laying
Five gold(en) rings
Four calling birds
Three French hens
Two turtle doves
And a partridge in a pear tree!
Special Facts: In the old days, before refrigeration, milk was a huge luxury because it spoiled quickly. Of course, milk was (and still is) tremendously useful in many other things, such as cheese, bread, and cream. Even one cow was a sign of great wealth, or at least you were able to feed your family.
Speaking of feeding, milk is the universal sign of nourishment. As we all know, both human and animal mothers provide their babies with milk on a daily basis, and the milk sustains the children until their bodies grow, strengthen, and are able to process more solid foods.
Furthermore, the "maid" alludes to the woman's unmarried status. So, the milkmaids can also represent young women in search of marriage, young girls who are just about to set foot through the door into full womanhood.
Speaking of feeding, milk is the universal sign of nourishment. As we all know, both human and animal mothers provide their babies with milk on a daily basis, and the milk sustains the children until their bodies grow, strengthen, and are able to process more solid foods.
Furthermore, the "maid" alludes to the woman's unmarried status. So, the milkmaids can also represent young women in search of marriage, young girls who are just about to set foot through the door into full womanhood.
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