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It was influenced by jackets guys brought home from Korea after the war. Usually satin with something embroidered on the back. But, as far we've been told, the scorpion doesn't have a meaning. I think they just picked something that looked cool.
Anyone that's heard anything different feel free to chime in.
Isn't the purpose of the scorpion to be a kind of metaphor for Driver? While the scorpion was added in at the last minute, they still worked it into the script by adding the reference to the scorpion and the frog story, though interestingly enough it was added after the movie was finished (originally when Bernie asks where Nino is, instead of making the scorpion/frog reference he simply says "He's gone").
From my understanding, it means that, like the scorpion, Driver can't escape his nature. No matter how hard he tries to live a "normal" life, he's simply a violent man and he can't change that.
It could also be that, like a scorpion, Driver can appear calm one second, then suddenly strike in a quick and deadly manner.