Percival Graves and scorpion symbolism
I think I know the symbolism behind Grave’s scorpion lapel pins.
The pins might be a reference to the Ancient Egyptian Goddess Serket (or Serqet, Selket), who has a scorpion on her head and is seen as goddess of scorpions.
According to Wikipedia, the name Serqet's itself can mean "(she who) tightens the throat", referencing death through scorpion venom. It also can mean "(she who) causes the throat to breathe" since it believed that scorpion venom has healing properties. She was also believed to be able to heal those stings and bites. This makes scorpions both a symbol of healing and of death. Which represents what Percival Graves, or GrindleGraves is in this movie, since this character is both a ‘healing’ character, but also the cause of death later on.
Something I thought was also interesting is that the scorpion is perceived both as an embodiment of evil and a protective force that counters evil in some places in the world, which is reminiscent of his job protecting the wizarding community as Director of Magical Security in MACUSA.
Or maybe I’m reading into this too much? Just my twocents :)
