Hourglass on a Headstone: Meaning of Time

The hourglass is a reminder that every life has a measured span.

What it means

History

Hourglasses appear on colonial-era and Victorian stones alongside skulls, scythes and Father Time. See winged skull meaning.

Using it on a new headstone

• A small hourglass suits a heritage-style memorial.
• Pair with "Time well spent" or "Our time together was a gift".

Hourglass variations

• Upright hourglass — time running out.
• Hourglass on its side — time has stopped.
• Winged hourglass — time flies; see winged skull.
• Hourglass with scythe — death's harvest.

Today an hourglass can be a thoughtful choice for someone who valued their time, or a watchmaker or clockmaker. Pair it with "Time well spent".

Hourglasses for clock and watch lovers

Beyond its old warning about passing time, the hourglass suits people who loved timekeeping:

• Watchmakers and clock repairers.
• Collectors of antique clocks.
• Teachers and coaches known for punctuality.
• Railway workers, whose lives ran on the timetable.

A modern stone might pair an hourglass with "Time well spent" or "Every moment counted" — turning a Victorian warning into a gentle tribute.

Modern takes on the hourglass

Today, the hourglass is less common, but some families choose it for its honest reminder of time. Modern uses:

• An etched hourglass with sand still flowing, suggesting life continuing.
• Winged hourglass — time flies.
• Paired with "Make every moment count".

It suits someone who lived fully and urged others to do the same.

Key Takeaways

• An hourglass symbolises time and mortality.
• Wings mean time flies.
• On its side, time has stopped.

Next Step

Explore more symbols in our headstone symbols guide, or add a symbol in the Design Studio.