La En Vie Rose chandelier by Brand van Egmond
The rose has held for the longest of times a deep symbolic significance. In ancient Greece, the rose was closely associated with Aphrodite, the goddess of love, beauty and passion. During Roman times, paintings of roses on the ceilings of banquet rooms served as a reminder that topics discussed under the influence of wine (sub vino) should also remain secret (sub rosa). In the Middle Ages, a rose suspended from the ceiling of a council chamber similarly pledged all present to secrecy.
