In heraldry, azure (/ˈæʒər, ˈæz.jʊər/ AZH-ər, AZ-yoor) is the tincture with the colour blue, and belongs to the class of tinctures called "colours". In engraving, it is sometimes depicted as a region of horizontal lines or else is marked with either az. or b. as an abbreviation.The term azure shares origin with the Spanish word "azul",which refers to the same color, deriving from hispanic Arabic lazawárd the name of the deep blue stone now called lapis lazuli . The word was adopted into Old French by the 12th century, after which the word passed into use in the blazon of coats of arms.