The Hourglass
Canada's Largest Timepiece
Standing 45 feet tall in the heart of Montreal, the TimeSands Hourglass is a marvel of engineering and art.
Each grain of colored sand represents a moment of generosity from Canadians across the nation, flowing together in perfect harmony.
45
Feet Tall
3,600
Lbs of Sand
1.2M
Grains of Sand
How It Works
1
Sand Collection
Naturally colored sand from every Canadian province and territory is blended together.
2
Precision Engineering
Advanced mechanisms control the flow rate to exactly one grain per second.
3
Illumination
LED lighting transforms the flowing sand into a dazzling light show each night.
4
Finale
On New Year's Eve, all remaining sand flows simultaneously in a spectacular display.
Symbolism
The TimeSands Hourglass represents:
- The passage of time and how we choose to spend it
- Canadian unity from coast to coast to coast
- The collective impact of individual generosity
- The beauty that emerges when diverse elements come together
"Like grains of sand, our small individual actions flow together to create something monumental."