Apprentices begin by learning to draw the Eight Auspicious Symbols, Seven Jewelled Pairs, and Four Harmonious Brothers. They also learn how to make and maintain their set of tools. Once they start carving they learn to make a plain altar, small folding tables, photo frames, and small plain boxes. Gradually they move on to carve folding tables decorated with Snow Lions, and then Dragons. They also learn to make carved altars and carved thrones. Finally, they learn to make the most difficult carved tables decorated with the Long Life symbols, and the carved tables decorated with the fivefold offerings, while continuing to learn how to make elaborate religious thrones.