Clock tattoos. What does the Hourglass tattoo mean? Time Tattoo Sketches

A clock tattoo has a deep philosophical meaning. Clocks have always been a symbol of time, fate and the transience of human life.

In Ancient Greece, clocks (also hourglasses) were associated with the ruler of fate, Zeus, as well as Helios and Themis, gods of the sun and justice.

General value

A person who has a clock tattoo on his body is usually wise and sedate, he has a philosophical mindset, rationality and thoughtfulness. He tries not to waste his life, every minute counts for him, and he manages time skillfully. One can also say about him that he thinks about the meaning of life.

A clock tattoo can also mean that a person once had an event (not always pleasant) that he does not want to forget about. A clock (also an hourglass) can also count down the minutes to some important upcoming event.

You can often find a tattoo with the image of an hourglass. Its meaning is similar to a simple clock. A person does not want to waste a second, realizing that life is fleeting and perishable.

A clock tattoo can often be seen in combination with sakura, which is similar in meaning. It symbolizes the perishability of life and sadness over the passing minutes.

Clock tattoo on a woman's body

Women often get a tattoo in the shape of a clock (also an hourglass). Its presence on the body means that common human values are not alien to this person. She is honest with others and herself, knows how to plan her time, she always has order - both in her home and in her thoughts. She is also distinguished by her patience.

If the clock on the tattoo is depicted without hands, the meaning of this symbol is as follows: this representative female has lost the meaning of life, life is difficult and painful for her. Perhaps a tattoo with a clock without hands symbolizes the loss of a loved one.

In men

Men get a tattoo in the shape of a clock (also an hourglass) even more often than women. It can be found among philosophers, poets, travelers - among thinking people who know what they want from life and try not to sit still. They are distinguished by fearlessness and some stubbornness. It can be difficult for them to get along with people, but, as a rule, they make friends devotedly and faithfully, without abandoning their friends in trouble.

On men you can sometimes find a tattoo depicting a clock mechanism, in all its realistic details. This means that a person sees life as a complex mechanism where everything is interconnected, he accepts it in all its versatility and is ready to understand it to the last detail. He is also characterized by scrupulousness both at work and in family matters.

Clock and underworld tattoo

Tattoo (tattoo) clock (also hourglass) is quite common among criminals who are serving time in prison. Its meaning is easily explained.

A person wants to be released and is counting the minutes until this happens. A tattoo (tattoo) can also symbolize the day on which the crime was committed.

This is the meaning of this image (both on the hand and on other parts of the body).

Clock tattoo – this image is chosen by both men and women. It doesn’t matter which image of the clock is chosen - stylized or extremely realistic, the philosophical meaning of this tattoo does not change. Clock tattoo designs are made in a variety of styles and are most often applied to the arm, shoulder, back or chest.

The meaning of a clock tattoo is twofold. A clock can symbolize the transience of time for people, the transience of human life, it is a sign that human life can stop at any moment and no one knows their future for sure.

The second meaning of a clock tattoo is a reminder of some important, fateful event that divided a person’s life into “before and after.” This is a sign that a new countdown of time has begun from a certain moment in life, and the owner of the tattoo always wants to have a kind of reminder of this with him.

The numbers depicted on the dial can indicate some important date for a person or those minutes of life from which a new countdown of life began.

The meaning of a clock depicted without hands or numbers symbolizes that life passes without meaning, there are no important events in it. Such sketches can often be found among photos of tattoos.

The image of an hourglass is a tattoo with a special meaning, because time is not subject to human control, and the time allotted for human life, alas, is not endless, it endlessly fades away.

A sketch of a watch tattoo, on which the watch case is decorated with precious stones, is a symbol of the fact that a person is puzzled by the search for the meaning of life.

The image of a complex clock mechanism, a combination of many small parts, is a symbol of the fact that a person with such a tattoo on his body encounters circumstances in life. Which I am ready to understand and customize them in my own way.

For the ancient Greeks, watches embodied the ideas of the inevitability and inexorability of existence, and were associated with gods: the supreme god, the thunderer Zeus, Themis - the goddess of justice and prophecy, Helios - the sun god.

Clock tattoos are quite rare in Eastern culture. Since people who profess Buddhism and Confucianism have special views on the world, they have the concept of reincarnation.

The clock tattoo is very dignified and philosophical. It reflects the philosophical views of the world and self-awareness of its owner.

Videos of clock tattoos

Watch a video of a tattoo artist performing a very beautiful clock tattoo on the forearm in a watercolor style.

Below are photos of tattoos depicting watches from different artists.

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Clock tattoo meaning

Clock tattoos are worn by both men and women. The deep meaning of this tattoo does not change depending on how the image of the clock is applied: in accordance with a certain style or as an extreme design. Images of watches are applied in various styles; the places where they are applied are most often the shoulders, arms, back or chest.

The clock tattoo contains a dual meaning. On the one hand, the clock is a symbol of the transience of life, an indication that human life is unpredictable and can stop at any moment, and that people do not know their future. On the other hand, a tattoo with the image of a clock serves as a reminder for its wearer of some important, almost fateful event in his life, which divided human existence into “before” and “after”; For such a person, the image of a clock is a sign that time has begun to count down from a certain moment and the owner of the tattoo wants the clock to be a kind of reminder of this.

The numbers depicted on the tattooed clock mean some important period of a person’s life (date, hours, minutes), from which the countdown of the “other” life began.

A symbol of life passing without meaning, without any significant, important events, is a tattoo of a clock without hands or. Similar sketches are quite often found among photographs of already applied tattoos.

A tattoo with an hourglass has a special meaning, which lies in the fact that time is beyond the control of humanity, that it constantly and hopelessly disappears like sand in an hourglass.

If the sketch of a clock tattoo depicts precious stones, this is a sign that the owner of such a tattoo puts the search for the meaning of life as his main task.

A tattoo of a watch with a complex clock mechanism, depicting various small details, characterizes a person who encounters various difficult circumstances in life, and is ready to deal with them and customize them “for himself.”

By depicting a watch on their body, many people strive to leave in memory some important moment in their life. This could be a moment of spiritual enlightenment or long weeks of prolonged depression, exciting moments of inspiration or long moral torment. Be that as it may, the tattooed watch will remain a reminder of what really mattered or matters to you.

Inevitability

A very popular interpretation of a clock tattoo is the inevitability of death, the transience of life. The clock hands run in circles, and every day slips away like sand through your fingers. Although this interpretation may seem gloomy to some, it can be seen as a deep philosophy. The meaning of the clock symbol is close to the meaning of the famous Latin expression “Remember death.” Every time you look at the clock and become aware of yourself, you learn to appreciate every second of your life.

Soul emptiness

This is the interpretation we give to tattoos with a clock without hands. This symbol is quite gloomy, but not devoid of wisdom. A clock that does not show time is the personification of lost years. Some people understand this symbol a little differently. For example, there is an expression “Happy people don’t watch the clock.” There is some truth in this simple aphorism. Stopping keeping track of time means learning the value of every minute and enjoying life without being tied to numbers and arrows.

Evolution or transition state

In many cultures, watches symbolize an era of change or the process of transition from one state to another. Often watches are perceived as the relationship between life and death. We are born and die every second. In this philosophical saying you can find the key to understanding the idea of a clock tattoo.

Accidents and fortune

A watch is not only a symbol of inevitability. They represent the fact that a person has complete control over his life, he just needs to want to discover this gift in himself. The tattooed clock will become your kind of alarm clock, which will remind you that everything you want is in your hands.

Hourglass

Separately, I would like to say a few words about the hourglass, since it is a popular tattoo subject. The hourglass symbolizes the passage of time, the cause-and-effect process. Among the popular interpretations of this symbol are the following:

The cyclical nature of life;
Interaction of creative and destructive forces;
The perishability of the world.

Styles and places

As you can imagine, the clock is such a broad symbol that it is not possible to determine the ideal tattoo style for it. It all depends on the idea of the tattoo artist. The same is true when choosing a place for a tattoo. The location is selected based on the context of the picture itself. But some of the popular places we will mention are:

Wrist and inner forearm;
Chest and abdomen;
Back of the hand.

Celebrities

We managed to find one famous person who had a clock tattooed on his body. This is Caris Anderson with an unusual tattoo on her arm. The elegant design is done in a traditional style using pink, black and yellow ink.

A clock is a truly philosophical tattoo that is done quite rarely. However, the issue of time is always relevant for everyone. You constantly want to do more, go back a few hours, days or even years ago and correct something, do things differently. It is in irrevocability and limitation that the value of time lies. Therefore, a clock tattoo is the story of a person’s life; you can really learn a lot from it.

The clock flows down the man's hand

Who gets a clock tattoo?

Usually these are people with a sober outlook on life who have something to tell about themselves. They have experienced a lot and have already formed as individuals, which means there is something to talk about with them and, perhaps, something to learn. After all, time has always been associated not only with death and history, but also with knowledge, wisdom and everyday experience.

Old School Colored Clock

Important! Of course, there are also those who got a tattoo in the form of a clock when they were young and did not attach much importance to it. Such a tattoo will not be distinguished by an abundance of details and is usually located on the wrist and depicts an expensive, “status” watch. Moreover, it often looks tasteless and betrays the frivolity of the person who made such a tattoo.

But for the most part, the owners of this symbol are quite self-contained people who are not afraid to talk about complex topics, including questions of the meaning of life.

This composition is presented in the form of a watch with a rose. I think it looks very beautiful.

Where is the best place to get a clock tattoo?

There is no specific place of application, so the tattoo does not change its meaning depending on where it is located. But usually the back, chest, shoulder or arm are chosen for it, because that is where the watch looks most beautiful and organic.

A watch with a touch of watercolor and trash

There is a clock tattoo. I drew the sketches myself and spent a lot of time, but the result is worth it. I found exactly the option that accurately reflects me and how I perceive life, what its meaning is for me.

Margarita, Kursk.

Clock tattoo meaning

Like all old symbols, the clock has more than one meaning. Moreover, they are all not inferior to each other in depth and importance. To understand them, first of all, it is worth noting that there are two types of watches: sand and with a dial. This also plays a role, although not the main one.

Hourglass tattoo means the transience of time and a limited life span, reminds us that we need to live it with meaning and not waste our energy in vain, and also not do something that you will regret later.
A watch with a dial without hands or numbers– this is the tattoo owner’s regret about time spent aimlessly. It is also a reminder of the value of time and a worthy motivation to use it wisely. The dial may be completely empty.
Arrows can show the time or date of an important event in a person’s life, both joyful and sad.
If a tattoo has a carefully drawn clock mechanism and depicts small details, gears and even unusual patterns in every detail, then a person lives a very rich life and solves many difficult problems along the way.
For prisoners, the watch tattoo reflects the time spent in prison or remaining until amnesty.

The clock shatters into smithereens

I made myself a clock on both hands. The arrows show the exact time of birth of my two children. Their initials are also written on the dials. It looks great, I'm completely satisfied and I think getting these tattoos was the right decision.

Igor, Voronezh.

Pocket watch in black and white version

History of the clock symbol

In the culture of ancient Greece, clocks symbolized the inexorability and transience of life, as well as the impossibility of turning back time, returning or changing some moments. The Greeks were also distinguished by the fact that they loved and valued each age in their own way, perceiving it as an important stage in the life of every person, which must be experienced wisely and filled with meaning. Childhood is a time of excitement and knowledge of the world. Youth is a time of adventure and crazy deeds. Maturity is the flowering of spirit and body. Old age is wisdom and life experience that needs to be passed on to descendants.

An excellent composition for girls, a watch with roses on the shoulder - it looks very gentle and light

Did you know? The clock is also a symbol of the main gods of Olympus: the thunderer Zeus, the sun god Helios and the goddess of justice Themis.

In Indian, Chinese and Japanese cultures, clocks are not given such importance. This is due to the fact that their religions support the idea of reincarnation, the eternity of everything in the world and the immortality of the soul. Due to such views on life, clock tattoos are extremely rare among these peoples.

Composition with roses, clocks, inscriptions and birds

Brief summary

As you can see, a clock tattoo is truly one of the most powerful symbols in human history. It reflects the essence of life both for an individual person and for the whole world as a whole. After all, for everyone there is a transition from a baby to an old man, for everyone, without exception, the concept of time is significant. Time is the only thing that both rich and poor possess equally. It cannot be bought for any money, which is why it is so valuable and everyone is afraid of not having time to do something significant. It is very important to learn how to use it wisely and not waste it on unnecessary quarrels, insults and unreasonable actions. It's always nice to know that you are not living in vain.