{On the desk} the hourglass stood. All grains had to go through the constriction to form the same pile as before. The resulting loss of time was called Latin hour.
The hourglass on the desk symbolizes the passage of time, with each grain representing moments that must pass through a narrow gap before accumulating again. This image reflects how time, though seemingly endless, is finite and must be processed in a specific way, leading to the inevitable loss of moments.
In the context of "The Discovery of Slowness" by Sten Nadolny, the concept of the Latin hour denotes a measured experience of time. It suggests a deliberate pace where each moment is valued, portraying time not just as a relentless march but as a series of distinct experiences that shape our lives.