InkedMag
  • Articles
    • Top Stories
    • Culture
    • Art
    • Music
    • Digital Cover
    • Events
  • Shop
    • Subscriptions
    • InkedShop
  • Tattoo Shops
  • INKED COVER GIRL
  • Company
    • About
    • Contact
    • SUBSCRIPTION
    • Newsletter
    • Media Kit
  • Policies
    • DMCA
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions
InkedMag
  • Top Stories
  • Culture
  • Art
  • Music
  • Events
  • Store
  • Digital Cover
  • INKED COVER GIRL
  • Tattoo Shops

Newsletter

Inked newsletter

"*" indicates required fields

This field is hidden when viewing the form

Next Steps: Sync an Email Add-On

Inked Mag Staff

September 20th, 2021

Share Now
0
0
0

75 Epic Hourglass Tattoos

How long does it take for an hourglass to run out?

Time is an extremely popular theme in tattooing. Artists represent time in a multitude of ways in their designs and one of the most popular images used is an hourglass. An hourglass is a device used to measure time. It’s comprised of two symmetrical glass bulbs connected by a narrow neck that regulates the amount of sand that passes through. There’s no definitive record of when the hourglass was created, however, it was frequently depicted in art during the Middle Ages. Today, they’re widely obsolete, aside from their inclusion in many popular board games such as Pictionary or Boggle and maybe for some inspirations for hourglass tattoos.

In art they’re used to represent time in three parts: past, present and future. They’re occasionally depicted with wings, in order to represent the phrase “time flies.” In tattooing, we frequently see hourglasses depicted with skulls, to represent to dichotomy of life and death. Many tattoo artists prefer illustrating hourglasses to other time measuring devices, such as pocket watches, which tend to be artistically limiting.

In honor of the rich history of pocket watches, take a look at 75 incredible tattoos from talented tattoo artists around the world. Then let us know your favorite tattoo from this list in the comments section on social media.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by (@thenorthwestwolf)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by 抹鬼 (@no.38312512)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by (@g.yawny)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Sonya Grenell (@sonyagrenell)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Sea Hag Tattoo (@seahagtattoo)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by cherry (@cherryxzhao)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Manny Valerio (@valerioart)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by MΔRCO (@marco_silentskilltattoo)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by U-Gene (@u_genetattoo)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Traditional Kings (@traditionalkings)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Nary J. Huval III (@narythe3rd)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Tattoo Snob (@tattoosnob)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by ᴍᴏʀɢᴀɴ (@mbeck_tattoos)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Patryk Hilton (@patrykhilton)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Sean Salasny (@seansalasnytattoo)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Anthony “Freshink” Ramirez (@freshink_tat2)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Brooke Ashby (@ashbyink)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by ✨ ✨ (@kirabishoppp)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Matthew Limbers (@matthewlimberstattoo)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by T H E S T E I N W A Y (@orastein)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Funky Tattoo Bucuresti (@funky_tattoo_bucuresti)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Artist (@wrld.of.tatts)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by ℨ (@marty_tattz)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Alan Shepard (@_alanshepard_)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Aari “Aatu” Ylinen (@aatu.fattattoo)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Lucas Ferreira Tattoo ❖ (@lucasferreiratattoo)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by 천안타투/타투이스트 채화 (@___chaehwa___)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Stephen Mickle (@tattoosbybutcher)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by TIM BECK (@timbecktattoos)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Keith Feitelson (@tattooshurt)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by SELINA B TATTOO (@selinabtattoo)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Traditional Kings (@traditionalkings)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Eternal Ink (@eternalink)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by (@phantom.tats)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Tattoo 4 Ladies (@tattoo4ladies)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Empire Tattoo & Piercing (@empire_tattoo_avl)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Gogh (@gogh_gogh)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Roberto Poliri (@roberto_poliri_tattooer)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by SEVEN (@seventattoolv)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by RedRum Tattoo Collective (@redrumtattoo)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Moco Tattoo 모코 타투 (@moco_tattoo)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Alan Padilla (@alanpadillaart)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Paul Ski (@tattoopaulski)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by @omg20201127

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by LEANDRO MUNIZ INK₂₉ (@leandromuniz.ink29)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Rachael Roberts (@rrbodyartworking)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by GabeJensen-WhiteLightStudios (@gabejensentattoos)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by @wits_rewa

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by 키노 (@keno_ttt)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Doug Hand | PHL tattoo artist (@thughand)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Kady Wilie (@kadyannetattoo)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Constantinospow (@constantinospow)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Mortitia Capriciosa (@eternal_ink_beaugency)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Gloria Manzillo (@starletink)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by (@givwood)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by ALXBNGALA (@alxbngala)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Oskartattoo (@oskartattoo)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Lilith | • (@imjustlilith)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Rociada (@rociadatattoo)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Julia Neely (@julianeelyislame)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Lena Antonia Stechapfel (@lena_stechapfel)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Jon Coimbra (@jmc.tattoo)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Linsey_린지 (@linsey_tattooer)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Samuela Maggi (@samuelamaggi)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Andrés Acosta (@acostattoo)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Andrés Acosta (@acostattoo)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Andrés Acosta (@acostattoo)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Poesis (@poesis_tattoo)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Igor van der Laan (@igorvdl.tattoo)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Aleksandra Jasmin (@aleksandrajasmin)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Micaela Scintu (@micaela_scintu)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Tattooer (@slumbabe)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by ✶ MIKE SLEDZ ✶ (@mikesledz)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by •• EWA •• (elle) (@lamaingauche_tattoo)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by IMRICH (@imrichkovacs)

Editor's Picks

Culture
Inked Girl of the Month: Bella. Gaming, Gym Life, and Full-Body Ink

Meet Bella, a gamer, gym rat, and tattoo addict whose nerdy ink and bold story earned her the title of Inked Girl of the Month.

Celebrities
Miley Cyrus Adds to Her Ink Collection

Miley Cyrus is back under the needle with a sleek new tattoo that’s subtle, stylish, and full of mystery.

Art
Lilo & Stitch Live-Action Release Inspires These Heartfelt ‘Ohana’ Tattoos

Celebrate the Lilo & Stitch live-action movie with tattoos that honor ‘ohana, nostalgia, and the beloved bond between family and mischief.

More From News Content

Inked Girl of the Month: Bella. Gaming, Gym Life, and Full-Body Ink
June 4, 2025
National Wine Day for Rebels, Tastemakers, and Inked Devotees
May 25, 2025
Karolina Szymańska: The Fine Line Force of Nature Behind the Modern Tattooing Congress
May 19, 2025
A Game-Changing Innovation for Tattoo Artists
May 13, 2025
Tattoo Insurance Mistakes Artists Still Make
May 5, 2025

Recommended For You

Art
Musical Ephemera
Celebrities
Cacho: One Line at a Time
Fashion
Hublot – Etched In Time
Fashion
Cacho Tattoo Brings His Ink to Fabric
InkedMagCover
InkedMag

QUICK LINKS

  • Top Stories
  • Culture
  • Art
  • Music
  • Events
  • Store
  • Tattoo Shops
  • ABOUT
  • CONTACT
  • SUBSCRIPTION
  • INKED COVER GIRL
  • MEDIA KIT
  • DMCA
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • TERMS & CONDITIONS

Input your search keywords and press Enter.