Question on Symbolism

[Shiny]

To anyone who has seen Pan's Labyrinth:

I need help deciphering what the golden key symbolizes. The one that Ofelia gets from the toad, and not the one the Captain has. It's necessary for an essay I'm writing.

[Resha]

I have seen it -- but I can't remember what she does with that key. Could you remind me?

[Shiny]

She opens the lock to retrieve the dagger from the eyeless creature's lair.

[MKusanagi]

The key opens the door to what the hand guy protects. He's dangerous. The key opens the door to danger. You'll notice that as the story progresses after the (disturbing) scene with the hand guy her life in the non-magical world disentegrates. I'd also pay attention to what made her That key is a symbol of chaos. There's my two cents. But really just read between the lines. You can draw so many symbolic conclusions.