How to portray time control in pre-clock/hourglass eras?

[biostem]

In many media, they depict a clock or hourglass as a representation of time control. If a story was taking place in an era or setting that hadn't developed clocks or even hourglasses, how would you visually represent such a power as time manipulation?

[Crazedwraith]

sundials? Or just the rising and setting of the sun.

[Me2005]

sundials? Or just the rising and setting of the sun.

Beat me to it. Movement of the sun/moon/stars, it's what people used to tell time.

[biostem]

sundials? Or just the rising and setting of the sun.

Beat me to it. Movement of the sun/moon/stars, it's what people used to tell time.

Would you use a sun and star in the same sky or something? I thinking in terms of a still image, here...

[Batman]

Only works for time manipulation upwards of a few hours or so. How do you depict time manipulation on the minute/second level?

[Broomstick]

water clock

So old their true origin is lost in prehistory. They predate writing.

[biostem]

water clock

So old their true origin is lost in prehistory. They predate writing.

I'm just picturing someone seeing a cup that looks like it's peeing and cracking up, instead of taking the chronomacer seriously.

[biostem]

I just noticed that the article describes 2 types of water clocks - the ones where water flows into the vessel wouldn't fit the description from my previous post.

[Simon_Jester]

Exactly what do you have in mind in terms of "portraying" time control? Do you need a purely abstract symbol to represent power over time? Do you need to represent some fixed, known amount of time passing?

Is this a purely realistic setting, or fantastic? Is it really prior to the invention of glassware?

[biostem]

Exactly what do you have in mind in terms of "portraying" time control? Do you need a purely abstract symbol to represent power over time? Do you need to represent some fixed, known amount of time passing?

Is this a purely realistic setting, or fantastic? Is it really prior to the invention of glassware?

I'm thinking in terms of:

Fire magic = flame symbol
Ice = snowflake
Water = water droplet or some sort of wave pattern
Earth = a rock/ground pattern
Air = cloud or tornado
Death magic/necromancy = skull
nature/plant magic = leaf/tree/seed

You can portray most "schools" of magic in a pretty simple manner, but some are too abstract for such an easy depiction. How would you portray gravity manipulation in a symbol or seal? How about metal manipulation or, like I mentioned, time?

[Simon_Jester]

Point... but is the technology level of the world below that of, oh, ancient Rome?

[biostem]

Point... but is the technology level of the world below that of, oh, ancient Rome?

Well, I'm thinking of an alternate setting where timekeeping isn't really developed. I see your point, but I'm also trying to think of symbolism that doesn't rely on pieces of technology for their portrayal.

[GuppyShark]

Candle burning down?

[Batman]

I seriously doubt candles predate hourglasses leave alone waterclocks.

[Simon_Jester]

Why? Candles only require the use of fat or wax or other natural substances, plus a piece of string.

Hourglasses require a fairly precise exercise in glassblowing.

[biostem]

Why? Candles only require the use of fat or wax or other natural substances, plus a piece of string.

Hourglasses require a fairly precise exercise in glassblowing.

I think it's more that water clocks are older. I did a real quick search, and it seems candles as we know them came about in ancient China, but the bowl-with-a-hole-in-it style of water clock is older...

[Napoleon the Clown]

Is there a particular reason time-keeping never developed in this setting?

[Zixinus]

Display phases of the sun and/or moon. A waterclock may exist but not be a familiar thing to most people.

[Esquire]

An ourobouros, maybe? Something something control over ends and behinnings?

[xerex]

A half sun/ half moon symbol. Or just invent a rune and say it stands for "Time " in this culture's language.

[madd0ct0r]

Hmm. Early society and small time units only?
Difficult when precise timing tends not to be something that matters much outside of cooking at this level of tech and trade.

I'd go with a drum, or equivalent used for marking the beat.
possibly a heartbeat or an animal associated with stoping and speddibg time. Something like a hummingbird or viper.

For the other two you said. Gravity and metal. Upside down pyramid and hammer respectively

[Simon_Jester]

I like the ouroboros idea.

[biostem]

Hmm. Early society and small time units only?
Difficult when precise timing tends not to be something that matters much outside of cooking at this level of tech and trade.

I'd go with a drum, or equivalent used for marking the beat.
possibly a heartbeat or an animal associated with stoping and speddibg time. Something like a hummingbird or viper.

For the other two you said. Gravity and metal. Upside down pyramid and hammer respectively

Why I appreciate the input, I'm specifically trying to avoid depictions which rely upon using pieces of technology - I can depict fire without needing to go to a candle or lantern, that sort of thing.

[Knife]

The three phases of the moon could work for you, showing a progression through time of the moon in the sky.



IIRC, a lot of ancient civilizations used the moon cycles for a time keeper in that one full cycle would be a 'month' type thing.

[LadyTevar]

Either the Moon's Phases, or a variation on the Seasons. Perhaps a tree with buds, flowers, and fruit at the same time?