In Chinese iconography and in its derivative form in Vietnam, decorations of one or more squirrels with grapes, as carved in this indoor eave bracket (fig.), is an allegoric depiction in two levels expressing the wish for numerous descendants, i.e. a large offspring.

Since grapes grow in bunches, they are a symbol of abundance, whereas the squirrel, since it dwells in the branches of trees, is said to correspond to the first Earthly Branch of the Chinese zodiac (fig.), that is known as Zi (子) and which also means ‘son’, ‘child’, and ‘seed’.