Whatever its original application, the Eye of Horus was quickly an important symbol of Egyptian identity. As Wilson aptly puts it, it's a "very versatile, very Egyptian, very powerful" symbol.

The Eye of Horus was also associated with the waxing and waning of the moon, which may have helped increase its appeal, said Gyula Priskin, an ancient historian at the University of Szeged in Hungary.

The Eye of Horus was also associated with the waxing and waning of the moon, which may have helped increase its appeal, said Gyula Priskin, an ancient historian at the University of Szeged in Hungary.

Whatever its original application, the Eye of Horus was quickly an important symbol of Egyptian identity. As Wilson aptly puts it, it's a "very versatile, very Egyptian, very powerful" symbol.