Myths, Symbols & Folklore
squirrels: Once viewed with distrust. The squirrel Ratatöskr ("rat-tooth") of Norse mythology constantly ran up and down the world-tree Yggdrasill and sowed strife between the eagle atop it and the dragon Nidnogg, by repeating to each one what the other had just said about it. The squirrel was also associated with the fiery Loki and consequently then in the Christian era with the devil, who seemed to be embodied in the reddish, scurrying, elusive rodent. (Biedermann)