September 20th, 2021

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 Brooke Ashby (@ashbyink)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by ✨ ✨ (@kirabishoppp)

 

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 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 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 Gogh (@gogh_gogh)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by SEVEN (@seventattoolv)

 

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 Rachael Roberts (@rrbodyartworking)

 

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 Kady Wilie (@kadyannetattoo)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Constantinospow (@constantinospow)

 

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 Jon Coimbra (@jmc.tattoo)

 

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 IMRICH (@imrichkovacs)

Editor's Picks

Events
Met Gala 2025: The Best Tattooed Celebrity Looks

At the 2025 Met Gala, inked celebrities like Rihanna, Cardi B, and Lewis Hamilton proved tattoos are the ultimate high-fashion accessory.

Culture
May the 4th Ink Be With You: Best Star Wars Tattoos for Superfans

Celebrate Star Wars Day with tattoos that showcase the Force—from Darth Vader portraits to minimalist Baby Yoda ink. May the ink be with you!

Events
Diplo, Jelly Roll, Zach Bryan, and More: Highlights from Stagecoach 2025

Stagecoach 2025 delivered epic performances, unforgettable moments, and nonstop energy under the desert skies of Indio, California.

InkedMagCover