Sub Rosa, NZIC Association
Encyclopedia
Sub Rosa is the name of the New Zealand Intelligence Corps
association. Its members are drawn from serving and retired members of the Corps and others that have served in intelligence positions in the New Zealand Defence Force
.
The phrase is Latin
and means 'under the rose', because the rose was an emblem of secrecy hung above council tables and confessionals. The origin of which traces to a famous story in which Cupid
gave Harpocrates
, the god of silence, a rose to bribe him not to betray the confidence of Venus
. Hence the ceilings of Roman
banquet-rooms were decorated with roses to remind guests that what was spoken sub vino (under the influence of wine) was also sub rosa.
The emblem of Sub Rosa is a Tudor Rose
.
New Zealand Intelligence Corps
The New Zealand Intelligence Corps analyses information from a variety of sources and provides commanders with intelligence on such things as enemy locations, capabilities and intentions. The NZIC is one of the smallest corps in the New Zealand Army. It was formed in 1942, apparently disbanded in...
association. Its members are drawn from serving and retired members of the Corps and others that have served in intelligence positions in the New Zealand Defence Force
New Zealand Defence Force
The New Zealand Defence Force consists of three services: the Royal New Zealand Navy; the New Zealand Army; and the Royal New Zealand Air Force. The Commander-in-Chief of the NZDF is His Excellency Rt. Hon...
.
The phrase is Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
and means 'under the rose', because the rose was an emblem of secrecy hung above council tables and confessionals. The origin of which traces to a famous story in which Cupid
Cupid
In Roman mythology, Cupid is the god of desire, affection and erotic love. He is the son of the goddess Venus and the god Mars. His Greek counterpart is Eros...
gave Harpocrates
Harpocrates
In late Greek mythology as developed in Ptolemaic Alexandria, Harpocrates is the god of silence. Harpocrates was adapted by the Greeks from the Egyptian child god Horus. To the ancient Egyptians, Horus represented the new-born Sun, rising each day at dawn...
, the god of silence, a rose to bribe him not to betray the confidence of Venus
Venus (mythology)
Venus is a Roman goddess principally associated with love, beauty, sex,sexual seduction and fertility, who played a key role in many Roman religious festivals and myths...
. Hence the ceilings of Roman
Ancient Rome
Ancient Rome was a thriving civilization that grew on the Italian Peninsula as early as the 8th century BC. Located along the Mediterranean Sea and centered on the city of Rome, it expanded to one of the largest empires in the ancient world....
banquet-rooms were decorated with roses to remind guests that what was spoken sub vino (under the influence of wine) was also sub rosa.
The emblem of Sub Rosa is a Tudor Rose
Tudor rose
The Tudor Rose is the traditional floral heraldic emblem of England and takes its name and origins from the Tudor dynasty.-Origins:...
.