Mottos

Almost all sundials have a motto of some sort, which is considered (along with the various lines and numerals) to be part of what dialmakers call the 'furniture' of the dial. The motto on the dial (left) appeared on a sundial shown on America's first coin in 1787.

The motto "Fugio" is Latin for "I fly," and one may think of time flying as the shadow moves across the face of the dial. For a picture of the original coin, which was designed by Benjamin Franklin, you may visit the North American Sundial Society.

For an extensive list of sundial mottos, you may visit Sundials on the Internet.