Sub Rosa, NZIC Association

Sub Rosa is the name of the New Zealand Intelligence Corps association.[1][2] Its members are drawn from serving and retired members of the Corps[3] and others that have served in intelligence positions in the New Zealand Defence Force.[4]

The phrase is Latin and means 'under the rose', because the rose was an emblem of secrecy hung above council tables and confessionals.[5] 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.

References

  1. ^ "Sub rosa : memoirs of an Australian intelligence analyst / R.H. Mathams | Catalogue | National Library of Australia". catalogue.nla.gov.au. Retrieved 8 July 2025.
  2. ^ "A Catalogue of New Zealand Challenge Coins" (PDF).
  3. ^ natlib.govt.nz https://natlib.govt.nz/records/35828876. Retrieved 8 July 2025. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  4. ^ "[NZ] - New Zealand Intelligence Corps hat badge". Welcome to Australian Militaria Sales. Retrieved 8 July 2025.
  5. ^ Thomas, Helen (15 March 2024). "Happy Corps Day to the New Zealand Intelligence Corps!". National Army Museum. Retrieved 8 July 2025.


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