Vair vs. Vairy — What's the Difference?

Vair (; from Latin varius "variegated"), originating as a processed form of squirrel fur, gave its name to a set of different patterns used in heraldry. Heraldic vair represents a kind of fur common in the Middle Ages, made from pieces of the greyish-blue backs of squirrels sewn together with pieces of the animals' white underbellies.

Divided into vair-bells of two or more tinctures.

A fur, probably squirrel, much used in medieval times to line and trim robes.

Charged with vair; variegated with shield-shaped figures. See Vair.

(Heraldry) A representation of fur.

(archaic) A type of fur from a squirrel with a grey back and white belly, much used on garments in the Middle Ages.

(tincture) An heraldic fur formed by a regular tessellation of bell shapes in two colours, (for example in the image, blue and white).

The skin of the squirrel, much used in the fourteenth century as fur for garments, and frequently mentioned by writers of that period in describing the costly dresses of kings, nobles, and prelates. It is represented in heraldry by a series of small shields placed close together, and alternately white and blue.