Representations of an hourglass as a symbol of the passage of time can be found in art, especially on tombstones and other monuments, from ancient times to the present day. The hourglass, sometimes with the addition of metaphorical wings, is often depicted as a symbol of the ephemeral nature of human existence, signifying that “the sands of life have already passed.” Hence, the winged hourglass shape has commonly been used as a literal representation of the well-known idiom “time flies.”

It was also used on pirate flags to instill fear in the hearts of their victims. In England, hourglasses were sometimes placed inside coffins, and they have appeared engraved on tombstones for centuries. The hourglass was also used in alchemy as a symbol of the hours.

This object also symbolizes the balance of the universe, the order, and the sense of the cosmos. Furthermore, some interpret the top part as the sky and the bottom part as the earth. The energy passing between the two also expresses the feeling of balance, the duality of life, and the cycles of life.

And you, how do you see it?