Show SPEAKING UNDER THE ROSE Varying Version of Origin of Famous Phrase Tho phrase under the rose had Its origin In tho wars between tho English En-glish houses of Lancaster and York Tho parties rcspecthely swore by there the-re or the white rose and these opposite op-posite emblems were displayed assigns as-signs of two taverns one of which was by the side of and the other opposite op-posite to the Parliament House in old Palace Yard Westminster Here the retainers and servants of the noblemen noble-men attached to the Duke of York nnd Henry VI used to meet Here also as disturbances wore frequcut measures either of defense or annoyance annoy-ance were taken and every transaction trans-action was said to be done under the rose by which expression the most profound secrecy was implied According Ac-cording to others the term originated In the fable of Cupid giving the rose to Harpocratcs the god of silence hs a bribe to prevent him betraying the amours of Venus and was hence adopted as the emblem of silence The rose was for this reason frequently sculptured on tho ceilings of drinking and feasting rooms as a warning to the guests that what was said In moments mo-ments of conviviality should not bo repeated from which what was intended In-tended to be kept secret was said to mo under tho rose Roses were consecrated as presents from the Pope In 1526 they were placed over confessionals aa the symbols of silence si-lence Hence according to some the origin of tho phraso |