THE 'TUDOR ROSE' AND THE CRAFT OF INTELLIGENCE
The rose is the international symbol of the craft of intelligence. Historically, the particular rose used as the intelligence icon is the English 'Tudor Rose', combining the red and white roses of the Houses of York
and Lancaster. In the fifteenth century, both these Houses struggled for claim to the monarchy. The many battles that were fought are known as the 'Wars of the Roses'. Throughout these times,
carvings of roses commonly figured as decorative ceiling and beam motifs in English ale houses and inns. Spies and agents for both Houses used such inns as secret meeting places to pass on information.
This practice gave birth to the expression "sub rosa" (Latin: under the roses), for all intents and purposes having the popular meaning of "secret."
As a result, the Tudor Rose itself has become the accepted emblem of intelligence.
Example of a Tudor Rose design copied from an oak beam carving at an inn, Beaumaris, Wales, UK