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," a depiction of a single stylized eye looking straight ahead, is found throughout ancient Egypt. The symbol is frequently seen in ancient burials — especially on a type of ...

The Eye of Horus, shown as a stylised eye pointing forward, is a well-known symbol in Egyptian culture. They were often displayed on wedjat amulets, which were protective tokens inserted into ...

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' associations with well-being "could be applied to a range of other concepts about the Nile waters, Egypt as a whole, healing and whole-food offerings," Wilson said.

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.