These hoods are decorated with twelve small crosses placed in two groups of six, and one single cross. The grouped crosses represent the twelve disciples and reminding monks to follow their teachings. On the back of the hood is a single cross that symbolises Christ. It is said to be symbolically placed to remind the monks that they must leave everything earthly behind and only look to God. A monk receives his hood during the rites involved with his first degree of profession (mikroskema) and he should never take it off. The present model of hood was re-introduced in 1971 by Pope Shenouda III, after it had fallen into disuse for some two to three centuries. It was based on the model worn by Syrian Orthodox monks. The monastic hood is normally sewn together by the monks themselves. It is made up of a large rectangular piece of black cloth, which is folded in half and rounded at the top. It is sewn together along the top section. There are short, black ribbons about half way down the front. These are normally tied under the chin to keep the hood in place. Traditionally it was the monks who hand embroidered the hood. Nowadays they are made in the workshops of convents and some are made by female relatives of monks. Some modern versions are decorated using machine embroidery.