A common variation is "counter-vair", in which alternating rows are reversed, so that the bases of the vair bells of each tincture are joined to those of the same tincture in the row above or below. When the rows are arranged so that the bells of each tincture form vertical columns, it is termed "vair in pale"; in continental heraldry one may encounter "vair in bend", which is similar to vair in pale, but diagonal. When alternating rows are reversed as in counter-vair, and then displaced by half the width of one bell, it is termed "vair in point", or wave-vair. A form peculiar to German heraldry is "alternate vair", in which each vair bell is divided in half vertically, with half argent and half azure. All of these variations can also be depicted in the form known as "potent", in which the shape of the vair bell is replaced by a "T"-shaped figure, known as a potent from its resemblance to a crutch. Although it is really just a variation of vair, it is frequently treated as a separate fur.