The moon, with its regular cycle of phases, has long been used as a reliable tool to measure the passage of time. A lunar calendar is one that is based on such a cycle, and the Chinese word for “the moon” also has the dou- ble meaning of “month”. This eternal presence of the moon sets a dramat- ic contrast with man’s fleeting existence, and such implications have long been embedded in Chinese culture. In this work, 912 aluminum beads were made to represent an average life span of a modern man (912 months). And the images of moon phases on the same day of every calendar month starting from the wearers’ birthday were etched onto each corresponding bead. The wearer is expected to take off the corresponding bead from the string when a month passes by. Over time, the string of beads will gradually shorten, leaving behind those signifying the remaining months of the wearer.