Symbolism
~ Twelve is the number of what is completed, which forms a whole, a perfect and harmonious unit. In the ancient civilizations, like Oriental and Judaic, it corresponds to the plenitude, the completion and the integrality of a thing. R. Allendy tells that it expresses the idea that the Universe forms a whole, associated with the idea of differentiation - 10 + 2.
~ Represent the manifestation of the Trinity to the four corners of the horizon - 3 x 4.
~ Symbolize the command and the good, and governs the space and the time, that is to say the operation of the Cosmos, from where its designation of cosmic number.
~ Number attributed to the government of the world or the cosmos.
~ It is the creative capacity, and in some religions, it expresses also the Divine Mother.
Twelve Days of Christmas
From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly. Someone during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics. It has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church. Each element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality which the children could remember.
~ The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ.
~ Two turtle doves were the Old and New Testaments.
~ Three French hens stood for faith, hope and love.
~ The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.
~ The five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament.
~ The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation.
~ Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit -- Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy.
~ The eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes.
~ Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit--Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control.
~ The ten lords a-leaping were the ten commandments.
~ The eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples.
~ The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostles' Creed.
There are also several (to say the least) spiritual meanings to the number 12.
And...it just happens to be the number of our favorite athlete.....
Happy 12/12/12! The last of the triplet dates for another century....
Oh and last, but certainly not least, TWELVE MORE DAYS 'TIL CHRISTMAS!!
1 comment:
I had no idea that inexhaustible Christmas carol had such meaning!
your very own number 12 is growing like a weed and very handsome! He looks like a true athlete!
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