Twelve Days of Christmas Trivia Quiz

Answer: Turtle Doves

We all know that doves are considered a symbol of peace. The inclusion of the doves into "Twelve Days of Christmas" is because of their peace symbolism but Christmas does not correlate with the migratory nature of them. Doves migrate from Europe in the winter for the warmer climate of Africa. Therefore the turtle dove would not be in Europe during the Christmas season.

On another note it is unfortunate that the present status of the turtle dove is vulnerable due to habitat loss and African farmers' use of pesticide and eradication.

Answer: French Hens

It would be great to think that French hens were French girls and three of them, just imagine. It is believed that French hens are Faverolles chickens, bred in France during the 19th century. Originally French hens were bred for eggs and meat whereas now they are mainly an exhibition hen. An unusual feature of the Faverolle is that it has five toes, not four like most chickens.

It is a breed that thrives with its own kind but does not cohabitate with other breeds.

Answer: Calling Birds

There are a few ideas about what type of birds are calling birds. It has been suggested that they are canaries, mockingbirds or blackbirds. In some versions of the song it is said that they are "collie birds" which are believed to be an archaic term for blackbirds. Generally though "calling" refers to the bird's calls or singing.

Answer: Gold Rings

I think that most people would associate gold rings with marriage whereas some believe it is more likely to be the ring associated with the ring neck pheasant. The thought that there are five rings of marriage does not relate where the ringed neck pheasant has symbolism relating to five being fire, magic, sensuality, infidelity and life long partnership.

Answer: Geese a Laying

Simply put there are six geese laying eggs which of course can be taken literally. Again there is a symbolic interpretation of the six geese a laying relating to birth, death and rebirth. The number six is a curved shaped number that may also refer to the cycle of life.

Answer: Swans a Swimming

The song continues with swans a swimming that may represent the beauty, elegance and mystery of the world. The mystery alludes to the seven known planets at the time of the song being written, as well as the pattern represented in the sky. The swans are swimming, meaning they represent the water, sky and earth, with the element of fire missing.

Answer: Maids a Milking

I love the image of eight maids milking. It invokes thoughts of youth with old fashioned farming having the maids hand milking the cows by hand at an English manor.

There are those who believe that the "eight maids a milking" relates to the "beatitudes" from the Sermon on the Mount.

The beatitudes represent: spiritlessness; mournfulness; meekness; righteousness; mercifulness, pureness, peacefulness, persecuted for righteousness' sake.

Answer: Ladies Dancing

The simple interpretation is just that ladies are dancing, with connotations of passion and courtship. Whereas others believe it is symbolic of birds, especially the dancing of birds in courtship. The dancing ladies are lapwings who demonstrate amazing moves during their courtship dance such as wheeling, rolling and tumbling.

Answer: Lords a Leaping

This one is the most amusing to me. Imagine the Lords of the House of Lords leaping. What an image. Literally we can interpret this to mean that the Lords are jumping up and down during the festive season. On the other hand there are those who interpret "Ten Lords a leaping" to refer to the Ten Commandments.

Answer: Pipers Piping

The eleven pipers piping literally means that eleven people are playing the pipes in celebration. There are many musical instruments that are based on pipes but generally it thought that these are the bagpipes. Using symbolism, there are those who believe that the eleven pipers refer to the eleven faithful disciples of Jesus.