The hourglass is and always has been the classical representation of time, but its symbolism goes deeper than that. Its symbolism goes so deep and far back that it has been used as a tattoo for over two millennia. It represents life, death, power, fate, and new beginnings. It is also a cool image for men considering the incredible designs at the disposal of tattoo artists. Here is everything you need to know about the meanings behind hourglass tattoos for men.
Life and Death Meanings of Hourglass Tattoos
Life is defined by, among other things, time; at some point, everyone alive will run out of time and die. There have been numerous devices invented to measure time, and although modern inventions are incredible none of them have outdone the classicalness of the hourglass. As such, it only seems fitting that the hourglass should be the symbol of time and, hence, life and death for men who are conscious of their existence.
The sand in the half-full hourglass represents present life as it shows that time is yet to run out. Nevertheless, the half-empty hourglass shows that time has been ticking and is still ticking, so death will eventually come.
An Hourglass Tattoo Can Symbolize Power
One of the most convenient things about the hourglass is that the sand always flowed through the hole at the center at a steady rate. This was considered as a symbol of power or energy by many people. It is considered to be a representation of the steady pace at which a person’s life is before the time runs out. It is a symbol of power or energy because it shows that nothing can (or should) stop you before your time runs out.
Hourglass Tattoos and Fate
One of the fascinating things about life is that no matter the gravity of problems many people face, most of them yearn to live longer. Unfortunately, life has to come to an end for everyone from kings to peasants. It is a difficult fate to accept, but acceptance is nonetheless beneficial for motivating you to live life to the fullest. Just like the sand in the upper half of the hourglass will run out, so will your time in this life.
New Beginnings
One of the inconveniences of the hourglass is that it had to be turned after every hour to begin a new time-count. However, this is a convenience for the power and symbolism behind hourglass tattoos for men as it signifies new beginnings. Since the hourglass represents life, turning it represents a new chapter in one’s life. As such, getting a tattoo of an hourglass can represent a new chapter in one’s life; nevertheless, there is never a better time to start a new chapter in your life, regardless of whether you already have an hourglass tattoo or not.
Conclusion
Hourglass tattoos for men not only look good but have deep and powerful messages behind them. If you are one to value life and death, have just started a new chapter in your life, or never let anything keep you down, then this is the ideal tattoo for you. You can also go further to complement it with a unique time quote that delivers the message behind your unique hourglass tattoo.
Check out the best hourglass tattoos for men
An hourglass adapts a vintage look in this tattoo that arrives in classy black and white. The timepiece has developed a crack, slanting atop a beautiful landscape amidst a huge old clock with roman numerals on the clockface right in the backdrop.
A work of art shines through in this intricately detailed and heavily shaded hourglass with elegant black and white appearance. The topmost part’s circumference is lined with tiny pearl-like circles while the detailed sand particles slowly fall at the bottom.
Skull, rose, and timepiece blend perfectly together, almost as if three items have become on in this unique hourglass tattoo ideas design. Lines, strokes and veins appear like twigs and give the image great detail all throughout its remarkable form.
Symmetry is quite noticeable in this hourglass depiction wherein two dotted circles trace its way around each of the glass bulbs. A black and white line with a circle on either edge vertically passes through the timepiece as if measuring its entire length.
An hourglass is meaningful in itself as an icon of valuable time, but has been made even more symbolic with a lovely rose and attractive colors. The small branch at the bottom, vines and leaves extend all the way up to where the flower in full bloom rests on top.
You can’t help but admire the beautiful form of this hourglass that exhibits antiquity and remarkably fine craftsmanship. Curls of vines and soft curves gracefully wrap around the lustrous and elegant sand clock and seem to go round and round endlessly.
Lovely colors are sprinkled throughout this hourglass tattoo design, where dark shades of brown, black, red, yellow, orange and blue complement each other. Small shapes and patterns make up the mechanical device, turning it into a fun and attractive picture.
Clock and hourglass are incorporated as one in this seemingly warped image of a timepiece tattoo. The poles and bulbs gracefully curve towards one side where the top has a clockface featuring roman numerals and the bottom part remains clear.
Sitting on an hourglass is a finely drawn burning candle, brightly lit with wax slowly melting. The yellow and red colors of fire, the white candle, and brown-colored sand clock give life to the tattoo. The white sand in the bluish top glass bulb falls towards the bottom part.
Widespread wings attached to a sand clock and sprawled across the human chest makes for one of the best hourglass tattoos. Complex details are seen on each wing’s outline, on each feather, and the vintage form of the top and bottom of the timepiece.