Horus was originally the sky god, soaring over Egypt as a hawk to protect his father, the king Osiris. When Horus defeated his father’s murderer, Seth, he became king of all Egypt, and he is depicted wearing a crown with an upper white portion to represent Upper Egypt and a lower red portion for Lower Egypt.

For this reason, rulers of Egypt always identified themselves with Horus in life, becoming the embodiment of Osiris when they died. Horus was worshipped in cult centres at Behdet, Hierakonpolis and Edfu and the eye of Horus was considered a powerful amulet.