What does the melting clock tattoo mean? | represents symbolism (2023)

The cast clock tattoo is a fantastic choice for fans of the surrealist painter Salvador Dali or even those who just want a really cool design that has lots of unique meanings. At first glance, most people only see strange looking clocks in these tattoos, but they were created for a reason. Knowing the history of melting clocks, as well as some of the many meanings associated with them, can help you decide if this is the type of tattoo for you.

Famous for his incredible surreal paintings, Salvador Dalí's masterpiece The Persistence of Memory is a uniquely perspective depiction of time that goes against our traditional view of constant linear progression from one point to the next. The clocks are seen again in a follow-up piece to Dalí titled The Disintegration of the Persistence of Memory, which features the same clocks only less detailed and defined.

The concept of melting watches can also differ from Dali's original design and look quite different. They may appear more or less distorted and display various symbols on the watch face instead of or in addition to distorted numbers.

Dalí was known for painting during trance states that he claimed to have induced himself to create his stunning, otherworldly pieces that elevated him to a highly regarded status by his peers and eventually the world around him. The meanings of the paintings weren't always perfectly clear to the people who saw them, but it was always pretty obvious that a genius had created something special, particularly with the melted clocks.

Below we are going to take a look at some of the meanings associated with the cast clock tattoo, as well as some of the really cool ways to style clocks.

Popular Melting Clock Tattoo Meanings

The most obvious reason why so many people get the melting clock tattoo is because they want to tell the world that they are huge fans of Dali. Of course, you can have any Dali pain on your tattoo, but since most people recognize melted clocks, it's the best option if you want to make sure that most people recognize the design that's on your skin.

The melted clocks, especially pocket watches, featured in the painting The Persistence of Memory symbolize the concepts of space, time, and general relativity just introduced by Einstein. Dalí played with this idea and produced one of his most famous works, which is often the inspiration for tattoo designs featuring melted parts of time. So he can get the cast watch design not only to show his love for Dali, but also as a tribute to Einstein's ideas.

Dalí's cast clocks are preferred by art lovers and those who appreciate the surreal style of his unusual works of art. Watches are often imitated with an exact likeness so as not to manipulate a highly regarded, tattooed design to appear as if it were painted. The pocket watches are slender with reflective gold bezels dangling above a bare tree limb from a branch, perfectly angled over the edge of a cliff and draping, only partially visible, over the sleeping body of a nameless creature. Any or all three of these clocks can be used in tattoo designs and often become elements worn in a much larger piece.

Dalí was and is often seen as the type of person who saw more things than others, so the molten clock tattoo could also represent wisdom. This is intended for those who are known for looking outside the box.

People will also tattoo melting clocks to show that the passage of time does not bother them. You won't find many other tattoos with this meaning, so it could be perfect for anyone who doesn't mind aging.

Mystery is another great meaning that is often associated with the melting clock tattoo. You can be sure that people will wonder who you are if they see watches melting into your skin, as it is a very interesting image and one that most people simply do not understand.

Other meanings of the melted clock tattoo

Melted clock hands often point to a specific time that serves as a representation of something significant to the individual. For example, if you want to honor your son in a unique way, you can get the exact time he was born on his melted clock tattoo. You can also get the time when she proposed/proposed or when she got married. If you remember the exact meaning of any kind of significant event and you love Dali's painting, this might be the perfect tattoo idea for you.

Clock hands may be completely absent, emphasizing the fragility of our concept of the passage of time. This is a great meaning for anyone who thinks that time is a hindrance and wants to forget about it so they can get more out of their lives. The melting clock is there to remind them not to be a slave to time and instead to focus on what is important to them.

All kinds of watches are used, including older styles that feature Roman numerals and can be used as a symbol of a bygone period, as a tribute to a loved one who has passed away, or as Steampunk appreciation. The watch can also be depicted in the grip of a hand or hands, puddled in the palm and dripping between the fingers. This can mean the fluidity of the concept of time.

A melting clock also appears in one of Dalí's sketches in his Alice in Wonderland series, which he completed in homage to the intricate and whimsical world of Lewis Carroll depicted in his novel. Dalí paints a pocket watch version of the white rabbit bent over and tumbling around a tree festooned with butterflies. The smooth, oozing quality of the paint is easily imitated by modern and trendy watercolor style tattoos.

Melting Clock Tattoo Designs and Placement

In most cases, people want their meltdown clock tattoos to look like the original Dalis, but you can customize the design if you want. The key is to make sure you find an artist who can work with that unique style, whether he's using the original painting or his own variant.

As for coloring, it all comes down to personal taste. Most will want their clock tattoos to melt in color to match the original paintings, but clocks can also look great in black and gray or alternate colors. If you're thinking of getting one of these tattoos and don't know how to color it, it's a good idea to have several designs drawn up to get a better idea of ​​how the final design will look on your skin.

One of the most popular molten clock tattoo designs is the sleeve, as clocks already have this enveloping effect. In these cases, people often include other parts of the image, such as the sky in the background, the sand in the foreground, and the tables seen in the original paintings.

Those who choose to buy the watch alone usually get the tattoo on the forearm or leg because the curvature of the design seems to work better in those places. It can also work great as a neck tattoo or even a finger tattoo for those looking for a smaller design.

The cast clock tattoo is quite a complex design in most cases, so no matter what meaning you're going with, you'll want a top-notch artist to do the work for you. It would be a good idea to look for artists in your area who have created Dali tattoos in the past or something similar to increase your chances of getting a design that will really stand out on your skin.

This cast clock tattoo can be very expensive compared to most other tattoos. This is especially true if you are getting a large sleeve or back tattoo with lots of detail. If you want to get a realistic melting clock tattoo but can't afford it yet, be patient instead of getting a cheaper variant.

Is the melting clock tattoo right for you?

As you can see, there are many great meanings that you can use with the cast clock tattoo. It also looks fantastic, making it one of those tattoo designs that can mean a lot to the people who get it and also look great to strangers when they see it.

Unlike most other tattoo designs, you should know right away whether the cast clock tattoo is a good fit for you or not. If one or more of the meanings makes sense to you and you love the look of melting watches, you'll probably always be happy with one of these designs.