Tempus Fugit – Sundial Mottos
Olivia Lanni (University of Zurich)
Although many sundials have been lost to time, Alfred Gatty’s research has managed to preserve many of their mottos. As was custom, sundials were frequently embellished with Sun-related iconography and maxims. Many encompassed the notion of transience or highlighted the fleetingness of time, whereas others encouraged the readers to embrace the philosophy of carpe diem (seize the day).
Here are some examples of sundial mottos.
Transience:
Forsitan ultima.
Perhaps the last.
Tempus fugit.
Time flees.
Die jetzÿge Stund und das zÿtliche Gluck
Schlicht hin in einem Augenblick.
The present hour and the timely cheer
Ushered away in the blink of an eye.
Brevity and Love/ Friendship:
Hora brevis amici lenta onerosi.
Brief is the time spent with a friend, long that with a bore.
Dies serenus, serenus sit animus.
Sunny be the day, sunny thy spirit.
Fugit hora/umbra, caritas manet.
The hour/shadow flies, love remains.
Self-Reflexive:
Absque sole, absque usu.
Without sun, without use.
Je marque le temps vrai,
L’horologe marque le temps moyen.
I mark the true time,
The clock shows only the mean time.
Per i felici ed i tristi segno ugualmente le ore.
I mark the hours for the happy and the sad alike.
Arresto tu passant regard quants d’ouro, et fouto mi lou camp.
Stop a moment, wayfarer, look what time it is, and then be off!
I am a shade, a shadow too art thou:
I mark the time, say gossip, dost thou?
Ich zaehle nur die heitern Stunden.
I count only the sunny hours.
Click here for a comprehensive guide on sundials and more mottos.