- Sub rosa
The
Latin phrase sub rosa means "under the rose" and is used in English to denotesecrecy orconfidentiality .The
rose was theemblem of the godHorus inancient Egypt . Later the Greeks and Romans regarded this as god ofsilence . This originates from a Greek/Roman misinterpretation of anEgyptian hieroglyphic adopting Horus along withIsis andOsiris as a god. The Greeks translated his Egyptian name Har-pa-khered toHarpocrates .The rose's connotation for
secrecy also dates back toGreek mythology .Aphrodite gave a rose to her sonEros , the god of love; he, in turn, gave it toHarpocrates , the god of silence, to ensure that his mother's indiscretions (or those of the gods in general, in other accounts) were kept under wraps. Paintings of roses on the ceilings of Roman banquet rooms were also a reminder that things said under the influence of wine ("sub vino") should also remain "sub rosa". [http://dictionary.reference.com/wordoftheday/archive/2003/02/17.html] In theMiddle Ages a rose suspended from the ceiling of a council chamber similarly pledged all present (those under the rose) to secrecy. [http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Government/International-Relations/15181/18474 Scottish Executive Official Website] ]In Christian symbology the phrase "sub rosa" has a special place in confessions. Pictures of file-leaved roses were often carved on confessionals, indicating that the conversations will maintain secrecy. The phrase has also understood to make reference to the mysterious virginal conception of Christ, which will remain a secret to a rational mind.
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