under the rose
under the rose (idiom / metaphor)
/ˈʌndər ðə roʊz/
Meanings
- In secret; privately; confidentially.
- Something said or done with the understanding that it will not be revealed.
- (Historical origin) Refers to the ancient use of the rose as a symbol of secrecy, often carved in meeting rooms to signal confidentiality.
Synonyms: secretly; privately; confidentially; in confidence; hush-hush.
Variants
- sub rosa (Latin form, most common variant)
- beneath the rose
- under the sign of the rose
Example Sentences
- Their love affair blossomed under the rose, away from prying eyes.
- The manager shared the future plan under the rose, trusting it would not leave the room.
- Their agreement was made under the rose, so no outsider ever knew the terms.
- In medieval halls, meetings held under the rose were considered sacred secrets. (historical)
- The negotiations were conducted sub rosa to avoid media attention.
- They met beneath the rose, agreeing to keep the affair hidden.
- The brotherhood made decisions under the sign of the rose, treating every word as confidential.
Origin and History
The phrase “under the rose” serves as an English rendering of the Latin expression “sub rosa,” which literally translates to “under the rose.” This idiom denotes secrecy, confidentiality, or private communication, implying that matters discussed in such a context must remain undisclosed. Etymologically, it draws from the symbolic association of the rose with silence and discretion, a connection rooted in classical antiquity. Over time, the phrase has evolved to encompass not only verbal confidences but also any clandestine actions or agreements conducted away from public scrutiny.
Historical Development
The historical trajectory of “under the rose” traces back to ancient practices where the rose functioned as a potent emblem of secrecy. In classical traditions, the flower was invoked to signify the obligation to withhold information, evolving through Greco-Roman customs into a broader cultural motif. By the medieval period, this symbolism persisted in European council settings, where visual cues involving roses reinforced the expectation of discretion among participants. The phrase’s integration into vernacular languages, including English, reflects a gradual adaptation of these ancient conventions into everyday idiomatic usage during the early modern era.
Theories on the Rose’s Symbolic Role
Several interconnected theories explain the rose’s enduring link to secrecy in the phrase.
One prominent belief attributes it to mythological narratives involving Harpocrates, the Greek god of silence, who was later Romanized and depicted with a rose to symbolize his vow of quietude regarding divine indiscretions.
Another theory highlights practical Roman customs, such as suspending roses above banquet or meeting spaces to remind attendees of their duty to maintain silence on sensitive topics.
A third perspective connects the motif to Egyptian influences on Greco-Roman culture, where roses embodied protected knowledge or hidden truths, though this remains secondary to the dominant classical explanations. These theories collectively underscore the rose’s multifaceted role as a guardian of confidential matters across civilizations.
Country of Origin
The phrase “under the rose,” as an English idiom, first emerged in England during the Tudor period. While its conceptual foundation lies in the Latin “sub rosa” originating from ancient Rome, the specific formulation in English literature and documentation appeared within the administrative and cultural context of sixteenth-century England, marking it as the locus of the idiom’s initial adoption and dissemination in the vernacular.
Earliest Printed Record
The earliest documented appearance of “under the rose” in English occurs in a 1546 state paper from the reign of Henry VIII. This official document employs the variant “under the rosse,” accompanied by a marginal annotation clarifying its equivalence to “sub rosa, or secretly.” The quotation reads in context as an instruction for confidential handling, illustrating the phrase’s practical application in diplomatic or administrative secrecy. No earlier English attestation has been identified, establishing this as the foundational printed reference.
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