Squirrel Spirit Animal Symbolism & Meaning

Written by Crystal
Updated: June 7, 2023
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Squirrel Spirit Animal  infographic
Squirrel Spirit Animal infographic

Are you particularly drawn to squirrels?

Squirrels have acrobatic abilities that would make even the most experienced gymnast envious. And yet, the squirrel is not content to stay in one place. It is always looking for new heights and challenges to overcome. In many ways, the squirrel is a symbol of determination and resilience. No matter how often it fails, it keeps trying until it succeeds.

If you want to learn more about the squirrel, now’s your chance! Read on to learn all about squirrel spirit animal meaning and symbolism.

What Is the Meaning of the Squirrel Spirit Animal?

Eastern Gray Squirrel

If the squirrel is your

spirit animal

, you are an amazing individual with a lot of love to give!

©iStock.com/Helen Davies

If you have a squirrel spirit animal, you are resourceful, flexible, and quick-witted. Planning comes naturally to you. You like putting away nuts for the winter like a squirrel. But you know how to enjoy the moment too.

The squirrel spirit animal is also associated with playfulness and lightheartedness. You enjoy life and don’t take things too seriously. Squirrel types also tend to be fun-loving and carefree. Finally, when you have squirrel energy, you’re quick to forgive and forget.

The Meaning of a Squirrel Sighting

If you keep seeing squirrels everywhere, it could be a sign that you need to take some time for yourself. Maybe you’ve been working too hard and need to relax a bit. Alternatively, it could signify that you are due for a change in your routine.

Discovery Questions

When the squirrel runs and leaps into your life, ask a few self-reflection questions, also known as discovery inquiries. Discovery questions are a great way to reveal what the squirrel could mean to you.

  • Is there something you’ve been procrastinating on?
  • What is a weight you can release?
  • What are you most afraid of?
  • What do you need to do to maintain your health and well-being?
  • Who do you need to forgive?

The squirrel is a reminder that it’s time to take a closer look at yourself and what you want from life. The questions posed by the squirrel help uncover your motivations, fears, and desires. Once you know what these things are, you can begin to take steps toward making them a reality.

Positive Characteristics of the Squirrel Spirit Animal

If the squirrel is your spirit animal, you have an uncanny ability to persist, no matter what! When things seem impossible, you keep going. But that’s not all! Those with the squirrel spirit animal also have a few other strengths that help them shine.

Positive characteristics of the squirrel :

  • Nurturing
  • Resourceful
  • Adaptable
  • Patient
  • Tenacious
  • Persistent
  • Courageous
  • Generous
  • Friendly
  • Loving
  • Loyal
  • Protective

If the squirrel is your spirit animal, you have many positive qualities. You are nurturing and caring towards your loved ones, always looking out for their well-being. You are also very resourceful and able to find solutions to problems no matter how difficult they may seem.

Additionally, you are highly adaptable, able to roll with the punches and adjust to whatever life throws your way. You have the patience of a saint, able to wait calmly for things to unfold in their own time. And when it comes to your goals and dreams, you are tenacious and persistent, never giving up no matter how challenging the journey may be. You also have the courage to take risks when necessary, as well as the generosity to share your good fortune with others.

On top of all that, you are friendly and loving, always quick to make new friends. Once you form a bond with someone, you are fiercely loyal and protective of them. In short, if the squirrel is your spirit animal, you are an amazing individual with a lot of love to give!

Negative Characteristics of the Squirrel Spirit Animal

How many times do you find yourself getting distracted throughout the day? Having trouble focusing is just one of the negative characteristics squirrel types might have.

Negative characteristics of the squirrel :

  • Nervous
  • Hyperactive
  • Distracted
  • Scatterbrained
  • Impatient
  • Quirky
  • Flighty
  • Unpredictable
  • Clumsy
  • Insecure

Do you find yourself being impatient or quirky? If you have the squirrel as a spirit animal, you might need to work on your focus and concentration. Instead of letting your mind wander, try to be more present in the moment. Be patient and take things one step at a time. Remember, slow and steady wins the race!

What Does the Squirrel Symbolize?

Eastern Gray Squirrel

The squirrel is also a

popular totem animal

.

©iStock.com/photovs

The squirrel symbolizes generosity and diligence. The diligence is all thanks to the squirrel’s ability to persist.

Other symbolisms include:

  • Determination
  • Generosity
  • Hard Work
  • Resourcefulness
  • Preparedness

The squirrel is also a popular totem animal. A totem is an animal that serves as a physical embodiment of a specific quality or spirit that we wish to invoke in our own lives. For example, someone might have the squirrel totem if they wish to call on these qualities of resourcefulness and preparedness in their own lives. Being resourceful doesn’t mean living in scarcity or worrying about what might happen. But rather, it’s about making the most of what you have and using your resources to benefit yourself and others.

Squirrel Folklore and Fables

There are a lot of squirrely stories out there. Some explain how the tree-dwelling animal came to be or teach lessons on being generous or resourceful.

Aesop’s Fables is a well-known story that features a squirrel. In the fable, a group of hungry animals begs a squirrel to share his winter food stores. The squirrel generously agrees and asks each animal to gather enough acorns to last them through the winter. However, when winter comes, the animals find they have nothing to eat because they were too lazy to gather food when they had the chance. The moral of the story is “it is best to prepare for the days of necessity.”

In another popular folktale, a kindhearted old woman takes in a wounded squirrel and nurses it back to health. To thank the woman, the squirrel gathers nuts and stores them in the woman’s home, ensuring she never goes hungry. The moral of this story is that generosity begets generosity. When we are kind to others, they often reciprocate with acts of kindness of their own.

In Norse mythology, the squirrel is a messenger between spirit worlds. Commonly called “drill tooth,” squirrels in these tales could travel on the famous world tree. They’d scurry up and down, carrying important messages to the eagle and other regal characters.

There’s also the squirrel character, Ratatoskr. This character appears in many Norse tales and often has a trickster-like spirit. Notorious for having a foul mouth, Ratatoskr is a clever squirrel with a quick wit. This type of character signifies the squirrel’s ability to get what it wants, no matter what it takes.

Squirrels in Native American Culture

close up of a fox squirrel

Some Native American tribes believe that the squirrel is a trickster spirit.

©Nico Giuliani/Shutterstock.com

In Native American cultures, the squirrel is a symbol of preparation and resourcefulness. The animal is popular for its ability to store food and create a cozy nest, representing the ability to weather any storm.

Some Native American tribes also believe that the squirrel is a trickster spirit. They have a reputation for being playful and mischievous but also quick-witted and resourceful. The trickster energy of the squirrel can teach us to approach life with a lighthearted attitude, even in the face of difficulties.

Spirit Animals Similar to the Squirrel

Do you have a best friend? Chances are, they can relate to your squirrelly-like ways. Sometimes spirit animals are compatible with other energies.

Here are some animals that may be a good match for you:

These animals are popular for their cleverness, resourcefulness, and playfulness. Like squirrels, they are also quick-thinking and quick-moving. These creatures are also excellent climbers, making them adept at finding food and avoiding predators. So if you’re looking for a spirit animal that shares your traits, look no further than the squirrel’s extended family. You’re sure to find a kindred spirit in one of these furry friends.

Spirit Animals Opposite of the Squirrel

Sometimes agile squirrels find larger spirit animals cumbersome. Squirrel energy is fast, nimble, and to the point. Other spirit animals are more overbearing or even clumsy.

Opposing spirit animals:

The typical squirrel is small, nimble, and constantly busy collecting nuts and storing them away for the winter. In contrast, lions, tigers, bears, gorillas, and elephants are large, powerful animals that are often seen as lumbering and slow. However, these so-called opposite spirit animals can teach us a lot about ourselves.

For example, lions are known for their courage and strength, which can remind us to stand up for ourselves and not be afraid to take risks. Additionally, tigers are famous for their grace and beauty, which can remind us to appreciate our own physicality and the natural world around us. And bears are known for their wisdom and introspection, which can remind us to slow down and take time to reflect on our own lives.

Final Thoughts on Squirrel Spirit Animal Meaning

squirrel eating acorns

If you’ve seen a lot of squirrels, remember to stay nimble and be prepared for whatever comes your way.

©iStock.com/suefeldberg

The next time you see a squirrel scurrying around, take a moment to think about what it might be trying to tell you. There are many lessons that we can take from this little animal. But perhaps the most important lesson is that we should never give up on our dreams and goals. No matter how hard life might get, never give up hope. Instead, we should always aim high.

Let yourself be inspired by the squirrel spirit animal and its many gifts. If you’ve seen a lot of squirrels, remember to stay nimble and be prepared for whatever comes your way. Most importantly, have fun and enjoy the ride!

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The photo featured at the top of this post is © Andrew Swinbank/Shutterstock.com


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About the Author

Crystal is a dedicated writer at A-Z Animals, focusing on topics related to mammals, insects, and travel. With over a decade of experience in the world of research and writing, she also fulfills the role of a skilled video and audio engineer. Residing in sunny Florida, alligators are Crystal's favorite animal.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us? Contact the AZ Animals editorial team.

Sources
  1. Ted Andrews (2022) Animal-Speak: The Spiritual & Magical Powers of Creatures Great & Small/ Ted Andrews. Published Woodbury, Minnesota by Llewellyn Publications
  2. International Association for the Study of Dreams (2022) www.asdreams.org
  3. Dr. Steven Farmer, Available here: https://drstevenfarmer.com/blog/