Hourglass tattoos are attractive and usually have a deep meaning. Depending on the personality of the wearer, this is different and is therefore very diverse. As with any other symbol, the display is also very different and can differ in shape, size and color. In this article we would like to not only introduce you to the different meanings of the motif, but also offer some inspirations and tattoo ideas for the design.
So what does an hourglass mean tattoo? Handwrolle as a tattoo motifs generally bear the meanings time, balance, nature and transience of human life. However, the symbol can symbolize something else individually as death. This is especially the case when the hourglass is shown in black color. The tattoo can therefore have both positive and a negative meaning.
In contrast to the rather static importance of the normal clock, the importance of the hourglass is opposed to the standstill. Often becomesThe tattoo designCombined with wings to reinforce this symbolism. Time evaporates, so to speak. In combination with ravens or owls, two interpretations are possible. On the one hand, these birds symbolize wisdom, but can also be seen as harbing for death.
It is suitable for both women and men who have chosen a tattoo. While it usually has a smaller size in women and is combined with stars or flowers, black and white or colorful designs with additional, more masculine motifs are rather common in men.
Subtle tattoo designs are above all, but not only very popular with women. The wrist as a area is particularly suitable for this. There you can have a small, minimalist hourglass tattoo tattooed that is not too noticeable. The feet are an equally popular body part for smaller tattoos.
You not only get a simpler design with a smaller size, but also through a minimalist motif, which should also be best designed in black and white. Select the body depending on how striking you want the tattoo. Sometimes you want or have to hide it, such as at work.
As we have already mentioned, the owl is a very popular motif that is often combined with the hourglass tattoo. With this design, the owl seems to be the hourglass, i.e. the time to take its protection. In this case, the symbolism refers to the father figure. The colorful tattoo was designed in the middle of the back.
You can symbolize that time passes quickly with a broken hourglass. Or if you are constantly in time and could not be long enough for you, the motif with broken glass is also suitable for you. The glass does not have to be completely broken. A jumping glass is another alternative.
Men very often adorn their arms with tattoos. The so-called sleeve tattoos are also wonderful to incorporate an hourglass and combine them with various other motifs. An interesting mix of different symbols is created that can tell their own story. So please choose this variant.
As you can see, flowers are not compulsive only for women's tattoos. A black and white hourglass tattoo can be spiced up with some colored flowers and bring some life into the monochrome design. Some color accents often also symbolize hope, especially when it comes to the hourglass as a symbol, if it has a rather negative meaning with your tattoo.
A tattoo can not only reflect personal experiences, but also be used as a protest. A great example is this design with the white house. The sand flows out of the broken glass and mixes with blood and water. As always, the area of the body can also be freely chosen with such a design.
If you cannot choose between the classic watch and the hourglass, just combine both in one design. The pictures by Salvador Dali offer great inspiration for the watch. As well as the time, they melt and complement the running sand of the hourglass very well. Above you see an example of this variant.
Heaven and hell or life and death are shown in this idea. The hand of God rests protectively over the hourglass, the upper half of which symbolizes life. The design is supposed to remind you again how short life is and that every moment is valuable and has to be lived out. The deep meaning of the hourglass becomes clear here again.
Life and death is also shown in this tattoo. At the same time, the colors are played with the colors to emphasize the representations. The light of life is represented by a candle in a yellow color, while a monochrome color choice symbolizes death in black and gray. A drought tree serves as a motif here.
If you want a somewhat more complex, you can use 3D design. In this way, it is particularly emphasized and can look extremely real through certain shades. In this example, the back of the upper arm was chosen for tattooing.
Tattoos are often used to keep the memory a deceased. The hourglass can be used perfectly for this purpose. The tattoo can be supplemented by birth and death dates to make it more personal. Names or portraits are also well suited to combine the hourglass for the design.
Here you can see an example of an hourglass tattoo with ravens. The meaning varies, of course, depending on the carrier, but generally agrees with that of the owl. Nevertheless, ravens usually cause a negative mood. Therefore, they are best suited for black and white tattoos or with only a little color.
We have already mentioned the importance of the wings. They symbolize the transience of life, but have a rather positive charisma. They should stimulate people at any moment and draw less attention to the negative sides of transience. This effect is guaranteed, especially when bright colors are used.
Butterflies have a rather dreamy charisma. This may be due to the fact that they are associated with the saying “Butterflies in the stomach”, that is, love. What is certain, however, is that the butterflies make every tattoo, however serious, much more relaxed and especially feminine. So use them for your hourglass tattoo.
The neck is suitable for both subtle tattoos and larger ones. There is always enough space there. This hourglass tattoo gets the feminine look through you delicate colors and from the use of flowers. A little abstract is a tattoo if the motif is not depicted but in a slight slope.
