The Twelve Days of Christmas 1000 Piece

An absolutely stunning interpretation of the classic Christmas song in the form of a 150 jigsaw piece puzzle featuring the wonderful celtic art of Rachel Arbuckle. Look out for each of the 12 days represented as you fill in the missing pieces in the puzzle.

1000 Piece Jigsaw Puzzle - The Twelve Days of Christmas

• Design By Celtic Artist Rachel Arbuckle
• 1000 Piece Deluxe Jigsaw Puzzle
• Theme: The classic song 'Twelve Days of Christmas'
• Inspired by ancient celtic art and the Book of Kells
• Combines vibrant modern colors with celtic art

Details

• Size B
• 500 Pieces
• 36.5cm x 48cm
• 14.5" x 19" inches

Twelve Days of Christmast

A stunning interpretation of the classic Christmas song in Rachel's inimitable style. It was illegal to be a Catholic in England from 1558 to 1829, so this was written as a cathecism song to help young Catholics learn the basics of their faith.

Since it sounded like rhyming nonsense, Catholics could sing it without fear of imprisonment. The song had hidden meanings; "true love" refers to "God" and "me" referst to the Church. The twelve gifts also had their meanings.

On the twelfth day of Christmas my true love sent to me twelve drummers drumming (the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostle's Creed), eleven pipers piping (the eleven faithful apostles), ten lords-a-leaping (the ten commandments), nine ladies dancing (the nine fruits of the Spirit), eight maids-a-milking (the eight beatitudes), seven swans-a-swimming (the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, the seven sacraments), six geese-a-laying (the six days of creation), five golden rings (the first five books of the Old Testament, the "Pentateuch"), four calling birds (the four Gospels, the four evangelists), three French hens (faith, hope and charity), two turtle doves (the Old and New Testments) and a partridge in a pear tree (Jesus Christ, symbolically presented as a mother partridge that acts as a decoy to save her helpless chickes from predators).

Rachel Arbuckle

Dublin born artist Rachel Arbuckle graduated from Dublin's National College of Art and Design in 1990.

She has always been fascinated by our Celtic heritage. Inspiration found in the intricate knotwork adorning the ancient manuscripts, stone and metalwork, coupled with Rachel's love of a good story, have combined to produce some of the most popular images in contemporary Irish Celtic Art.

Mythologicial warriors rub shoulders with ancient historical figures and intertwine with animals, birds and fish rendered in the artist's unique style.

Her colors, though modern, emulate the softness of the natural pigments used by the Celts and a discerning eye will recognise shades of both Tuscany, where Rachel currently lives, and the Beara Peninsula, where she thrives on the rugged West Coas of Ireland.

Today her work is available worldwide, bringing a taste of Ireland to the four corners of the earth.