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Sub Rosa

Sub Rosa, comes from Latin; under the rose:  a term used to denote secrecy.  It’s origin is found in Greek and Roman mythology.  In medieval times a rose hung in council  chambers  bound all those  present to secrecy, and in Christianity, a five petal rose over the confessional  insured confidentiality.  Today sub rosa is a by word for covert operations.  A red rose? Passion, violence.

Under the red rose the coyotes conduct a secret discussion- sub rosa.

 Native American icon, Coyote the trickster seems an appropriate vanitas symbol for our contemporary culture.  So many secrets.

Quite a few tricks.

Vanitas vanitatum omni vanitas