Squirrel Symbolism: Squirrels and Grapes in East Asian Art

In East Asian art, the squirrel is most often seen with grapes: a lively animal among heavy bunches of fruit. The pairing is a classic auspicious motif, expressing a wish for abundance and for many descendants.

Squirrels and grapes

The Metropolitan Museum of Art holds Chinese and Japanese works showing squirrels among grapevines, in painting, ceramics and decorative metalwork. The many-seeded bunches of grapes suggested fruitfulness, and the busy squirrels added life and movement. Together they formed a wish for a flourishing family with many children and grandchildren.

In Japan

The motif was also popular in Japan, where squirrel-and-grape designs appear on lacquer, textiles and even sword fittings, often as a decorative theme of abundance.

Ratatoskr

In Norse mythology, the squirrel Ratatoskr runs up and down the world tree Yggdrasil, carrying insults between the eagle at the top and the serpent gnawing at the roots, a very different, mischievous role.

Modern meanings

Modern writers often associate squirrels with preparation and resourcefulness, after their habit of storing food. That is a natural modern reading, but in East Asian art the squirrel's traditional role is the wish for abundance and descendants.

The squirrel in jewellery

A squirrel design can reference abundance, family or simply a well-loved animal. You can see the AURYN Squirrel charm, or read our guide to animal symbolism.