Heru was portrayed since the beginning of dynastic Egypt, and is probably the falcon god shown on the Narmer palette. He was early on equated with kingship - a celestial falcon with outstretched wings, one eye the sun and one eye the moon. The king was the manifestation of Heru on earth, and Heru name of the king was written inside a serekh, a representation of a palace facade, surmounted by a falcon. Later he also is presented as a falcon headed man. During this time it seems he was born of Geb and Newet (Nut). Over time Heru absorbed many of the other falcon Netjer and hence the proliferation of myths, names, and symbols.

One of the most significant stories of Heru is his battle with his uncle Set. Heru was claimed as the son of Wesir (Osiris) and Aset (Isis) and after Wesir was betrayed by Set, Heru and Set battled for Egypt. In this battle Heru was supposed to have lost his moon eye - though it was later restored by Het-Hert (Hathor). Thus the "Eye of Heru" became a symbol of healing, the wadjet.