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Why did the ancient Romans hang rose garlands from ceilings during gatherings?
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Floral decoration
An eternal bouquet for the dead, limestone relief from Egypt, 4th century bce; in the Brooklyn Museum, New York.
In ancient Rome, rose garlands were often suspended from the ceilings of dining rooms during gatherings to signify that the conversations taking place beneath them were to be kept confidential.1
This practice is the origin of the Latin phrase sub rosa, which literally translates to "under the rose" and is used to describe something done in secret or in confidence. The association between the rose and secrecy dates back to ancient mythology, where the flower was linked to the god of silence, Harpocrates, as a symbol of discretion.23