Hopi pottery is known for its shades of cream, apricot, and light red, colors which are accomplished through a combination of the Hopi's natural iron-rich clay and their pit firing technique. Creating Hopi pottery is a time consuming and tedious venture. Hopi artists gather their clay from the ground, clean it of impurities, and mix it with water. They don't use potter’s wheels, instead hand coiling the clay create the vessel’s shape. To create the highly polished sheen to the vessels, potters use a tool (typically a stone) that has sometimes been handed down through generations. Using yucca leaves and pigments from plants, the potter applies designs and patterns to the vessel. Hopi pottery designs are symbolic and can represent everyday life, cultural symbols, and spiritual symbols. The designs are often stylized and can depict animals, birds, religious symbols, or natural events. Finally, the vessel is pit fired at very high temperatures, which can be a risky process due to cracking, smudging, and breakage.