Technical Analysis Candlestick charts
Candlestick charts are my preferred chart type because I can use candle chart patterns as part of the buying and selling process to find short term price turning points and additionally these patterns are used for support and resistance.
If you are new to candlestick charts it will not be that easy learning and recognizing all the patterns. I would like to suggest that you read through the chapter and that you start by recognizing at least the following patterns.
Bottom reversal: Hammer, Engulfing bullish, Bullish harami (cross), Piercing line and Morning star patterns.
Top reversal: Hanging man, Engulfing bearish, Bearish harami (cross), Dark cloud cover and Evening star patterns.
Bottom reversal: Hammer, Engulfing bullish, Bullish harami (cross), Piercing line and Morning star patterns.
Top reversal: Hanging man, Engulfing bearish, Bearish harami (cross), Dark cloud cover and Evening star patterns.
Introduction
In the 1700s, a legendary Japanese rice trader named Homma used trading techniques that eventually evolved into the candlestick techniques that technical analysts on the Japanese stock market used in the 1870s. Steve Nison introduced these techniques to the Western world in his first book, Japanese Candlestick Charting Techniques.
The advantage of using candles on charts is that single or multiple candle patterns give earlier and more reliable reversal signals. Every candle shows the activity for the referenced period in hourly, daily, or weekly charts, for example.
Figure 6.1: Horizontal reference points of the candlestick.
In figure 6.1, the horizontal reference points of the candle represent the opening price, the highest price, the lowest price, and the closing price of the considered period. The rectangular portion of the candle, or the body, represents the range between the opening and the closing prices. If the closing price is higher than the opening price, the body is white (not filled). If the closing price is lower than the opening price, the body is black (filled).
A candle consists of either just a body or a body with an upper and/or a lower shadow. A candle with an opening and closing price at almost the same price level is called a doji (figure 6.2). The candlewicks are called shadows, and they extend up to the highest price and down to the lowest price of the related period. Candlestick charts can be used in any time frame, including minutes, hours, days, weeks, or months.
Candlestick chart patterns are formed by one or more candles; they indicate a short-term trend reversal or a trend continuation. You must always take into account the previous trend when interpreting candlestick patterns.
Candlestick patterns do NOT give price targets!
Candlestick patterns do NOT give price targets!
Figure 6.2: Candlestick naming.
Format, Naming, and Meaning
Candlesticks Format Overview
Figure 6.3: Candlesticks format description.
Format description:
Nr.
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Name
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Interpretation
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1
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Big white body (White Marubozu)
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Very positive
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2
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Big black body (Black Marubozu)
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Very negative
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3
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White opening Marubozu
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Quite positive
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4
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White closing Marubozu
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Positive
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5
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Black closing Marubozu
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Negative
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6
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Black opening Marubozu
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Quite negative
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7
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White candle
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No direction
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8
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Black candle
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No direction
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9
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Dragonfly doji
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Reversal?
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10
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Doji star
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Reversal?
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11
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Gravestone doji
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Stable/Reversal
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12
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Long-legged doji
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Reversal?
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13
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Four price doji
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Reversal?
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14
|
Hammer (white)
Hanging man |
Bottom reversal
Top reversal |
15
|
Hammer (black)
Hanging man |
Bottom reversal
Top reversal |
Psychological Background
The candlesticks in figures 6.4 and 6.5 demonstrate the psychological trading that takes place during the period represented by a single candle.
Figure 6.4: Candlesticks psychological background 1.
Figure 6.5: Candlesticks psychological background 2.
Figure 6.6 shows some rising power candles.
Figure 6.6 shows some rising power candles.
Figure 6.6: Rising power candles.
Figure 6.7 shows some candles with falling power.
Figure 6.7: Falling power candles.
Figure 6.8 shows candles with reversal power.
Figure 6.8: Candles with reversal power.
- A big white body means buyers are in power, and the trend is up.
- A big black body means sellers are in power, and the trend is down.
- A small body means that buyers and sellers are trying to take power.
- A big shadow below is a positive sign and indicates strength.
- A big shadow above is a negative sign and indicates weakness.
- A doji is a candle with opening and closing prices that are close together.
- A doji means that price acceleration is slowing down and that bulls and bears are in balance.
- A doji at a top or bottom often is the first signal of a price reversal.
Technical Analysis Candlestick charts
Candlesticks Reveal More
When comparing the commonly used bar charts in Western technical analysis to the Eastern candle charts, it is evident that candle charts have a bigger visual impact.
Figure 6.11: A bar chart has limited information.
Note the triangle formation in the bar chart of figure 6.11. A triangle formation often is a continuation pattern, but sometimes it can be a reversal pattern. The bar chart does not give any clue about which side of the triangle pattern will be broken.
Figure 6.12: The candle chart tells you more.
But in the candle chart in figure 6.12, you see only candles with rising power in the last couple of weeks. The break to the upper side was, therefore, no big surprise, and you got a continuation of the uptrend.
Basic Patterns
Different basic patterns offer an indication about what kind of price evolution can be expected.
Basic Definitions
White Body
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The closing price closed higher than the opening price. The white body has a normal average size compared to recent prices.
A rising pattern. |  |
Black Body
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The closing price closed below the opening price. The black body has a normal average size compared to recent prices.
A falling pattern. |  |
Big White Candle
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Rare. A long white body with little or no shadows compared to recent prices. High price and closing price are close together, and low price and opening price are also close together.
A stronger rising pattern. If there is no other support nearby, you can use the midpoint of the white body as a support level.
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Big Black Candle
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Rare. A long black body with little or no shadows compared to recent prices. High price and opening price are close together, and low price and closing price are also close together.
A stronger falling pattern. If there is no other resistance nearby, you can use the midpoint of the black body as a resistance level.
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Doji
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Opening price and closing price are very close together with upper and lower shadows.
Doji’s are part of many candlestick patterns. A doji with bigger shadows is more important.
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- A doji in an up-move with a closing price below the previous closing price is a strong reversal indication.
- A doji in an up-move with a closing price above the previous closing price needs confirmation for a reversal.
- A doji or any other reversal pattern followed by a candle with a window mostly is a sure reversal indication.
- There is extra pressure on the market when more doji’s appear together.
- A doji in a downtrend has much less value than a doji in an uptrend. A doji in a downtrend always needs confirmation as a reversal signal.
- A doji during a flat, neutral trading period has no meaning.
- A doji or any other candle pattern confirms existing support or resistance.
Long-legged Doji
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A doji with big upper and lower shadows is also called a big wave doji.
A warning signal for a reversal. This is an indication of big uncertainty in the market.
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Doji Star
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A doji above a white candle in an up-move or below a black candle in a down-move.
A reversal signal, to be confirmed by the next candle to become an evening doji star or a morning doji star.
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Spinning Tops and Bottoms
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Spinning tops and bottoms are very common in a consolidation phase at a price top or bottom. The most important characteristic of a spinning top or bottom is the small body. The body can be black or white and has no shadows up to big shadows. As such, this candle is neutral, and the market does not know which way to go. Nevertheless, just like a doji, this might be the first indication of a possible price reversal.
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Tweezer Tops and Bottoms
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Two or more candles with tops or bottoms at the same price level indicate resistance or support. The first candle is preferably the bigger candle; the second is the smaller one. The same price level does not have to be the high or low prices. A combination with a closing or an opening price is also acceptable. Tweezer tops and bottoms are reliable reversal patterns.
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Technical Analysis Candlestick charts
To Doji or Not?
Figure 6.13: A doji after an up move and a closing below the previous closing is a strong indication for a price reversal.
A strong indication of a price reversal is a doji after a price move up and with a closing price below the previous closing price. (figure 6.13).
Figure 6.14: A doji after an up price move and a closing above the previous closing needs confirmation for a price reversal.
A doji after a price move up and with a closing price above the previous closing price needs confirmation for a price reversal. Figure 6.14 shows an example without confirmation; the price continues the uptrend.
Figure 6.15: Example with confirmation resulting in a price reversal.
Figure 6.15 shows an example with confirmation resulting in a price reversal.
Figure 6.16: A doji or any other reversal pattern followed by a window is a reliable reversal signal.
A doji or any other candle reversal pattern followed by a candle with a window is a reliable reversal signal (figure 6.16).
Figure 6.17: Extra pressure on the market with more doji’s appearing together
There is extra pressure on the market when more doji’s appear together (figure 6.17).
Figure 6.18: A doji within a downtrend has less value than a doji in an uptrend.
Figure 6.19: A doji in a downtrend always needs confirmation as a reversal signal.
A doji in a downtrend always needs confirmation for a reversal signal (figure 6.19).
Figure 6.20: A doji within a flat neutral price zone has no meaning.
A doji within a flat, neutral price zone has no meaning (figure 6.20).
Figure 6.21: A doji or any other candle pattern confirms existing support or resistance.
A doji or any other candle pattern confirms existing support or resistance (figure 6.21).
Technical Analysis Candlestick charts
Reversal Patterns
Reversal patterns are candlestick patterns that announce a trend reversal.
Bottom Reversals
The following rules are applicable for a bottom reversal:
- A bottom reversal is only possible AFTER a downtrend.
- Most of the patterns need a confirmation.
- A confirmation must appear one up to three candles after the pattern.
- This confirmation is a big white candle, high volume with the new up-move, a rising window, or breaking a resistance.
- A reversal pattern during price reaction must be considered a continuation pattern.
- For the best result, you must combine candlestick patterns with Western technical analysis.
- An unconfirmed pattern has no further meaning.
Engulfing Bullish
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In a downtrend, there is a small black body, not a doji, followed and enclosed by a bigger white body.
Though not necessary, it is better when the white body also encloses the short shadows of the black candle.
An exceptional occurrence at the end of a downtrend is a white body followed by a bigger black body; this is called a last engulfing pattern.
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Piercing Line
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In a downtrend, a bigger black body is followed by a white body with a lower opening price than the low of the black body; however, the white candle closes above the midpoint of the black body.
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Bullish Counterattack
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A bullish counterattack is a bigger black candle in a downtrend, followed by a bigger white candle. Closing prices of both candles are at the same price level.
Confirmation is needed. |  |
Bullish Harami
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In a downtrend, a white (but preferably a black) body is followed by a small white or black candle that is completely covered by the first candle body.
A bottom reversal signal after confirmation. Black-white and black-black (called homing pigeon) combinations are the most common.
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Bullish Harami Cross
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In a downtrend, a white (but preferably a black) body is followed by a doji that is completely covered by the first candle body.
A bullish harami cross pattern needs confirmation. |  |
Morning Star
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A bigger black body, followed by one or more small black or white bodies below the closing price of the first black body. The white candle that follows ideally lays 50% or more within the first black body and has a rising window with the previous candle body.
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Morning Doji Star
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A bigger black body, followed by one or more doji’s with a falling window below the closing price of the first black body. The white candle that follows ideally lays 50% or more within the first black body and has a rising window with the previous doji body.
This is a stronger reversal signal than a morning star.
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Bullish Abandoned Baby
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An abandoned baby pattern is a morning doji star with a window between the doji and the black and white candle, resulting in an island reversal. The island can have more candles and more than one doji.
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Hammer
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A hammer is a small white or black body close to the high price. It has a long shadow below with a minimum size of twice the height of the body. There is a very small shadow or no shadow at the top. A dragonfly doji is a specific version of the hammer pattern.
Confirmation is required. A white body is more positive.
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Inverted Hammer
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An inverted hammer is a small black ( but preferably a small white) body near the low price. It has a long shadow above that is, at minimum, twice the size of the body. It only has a very small shadow or no shadow below. A gravestone doji is a specific version of the inverted hammer.
A bottom reversal only after confirmation.
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Tweezer Bottoms
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Two or more candles making lows together. Preferably, the lows are made with low prices, but they also can be combinations of any of the other prices. Size and color are not important. This is a reversal pattern that, most of the time, is part of another pattern.
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Fry Pan Bottom
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The fry pan bottom is formed with a number of smaller candles. After this bottoming pattern, the price usually makes an up-move with a rising window.
A fry pan bottom is a powerful reversal pattern.
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Three River Bottom
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During a downtrend, there is a bigger black candle on the first day of this pattern. The second day starts with a higher opening price; then makes a new lower low and closes the day below the opening price. The third day opens lower and forms a small white body with a closing price below the closing price of the second day.
A rare bottom reversal pattern; confirmation is required. |  |
Three White Soldiers
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Three white candlesticks with each bar having higher closing prices, close to the high of the bar. Opening prices of candles two and three are within the body of the previous candles.
Many times, there will be a small reaction before the new uptrend is resumed. |  |
Technical Analysis Candlestick charts
Top Reversals
The following rules are applicable for a top reversal:
- A top reversal is only possible AFTER an uptrend.
- Most patterns need a confirmation.
- A confirmation must appear one up to three candles after the pattern.
- This confirmation is a big black candle, high volume with the new down move, a falling window, or breaking support.
- A reversal pattern during price reaction must be considered a continuation pattern.
- For best results, you must combine candlestick patterns with Western technical analysis.
- An unconfirmed pattern has no further meaning.
Engulfing Bearish
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In an uptrend, there is a small white body, not a doji, followed and enclosed by a bigger black body.
Though not necessary, it is better when the black body also encloses the short shadows of the white candle. An exceptional occurrence at the end of an uptrend is a black body followed by a bigger white body; this is called a last engulfing pattern. |  |
Dark Cloud Cover
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In an uptrend, a bigger white body is followed by a black body with a higher opening price than the high of the white body; however, the black candle closes below the midpoint of the white body.
Confirmation is required.
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Bearish Counterattack
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A bearish counterattack is a bigger white candle in an uptrend, followed by a bigger black candle. Closing prices of both candles are at the same price level.
Confirmation is a must.
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Bearish Harami
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In an uptrend, a black (but preferably a white) body is followed by a small white or black candle that is completely covered by the first candle body.
A top reversal signal after confirmation. White-black and white-white combinations are the most common.
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Bearish Harami Cross
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In an uptrend, a black (but preferably a white) body is followed by a doji that is completely covered by the first candle body.
A bearish harami cross pattern needs confirmation.
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Evening Star
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A bigger white body, followed by one or more small black or white bodies with a rising window above the closing price of the first white body. The black candle that follows ideally lays 50% or more within the first white body and has a falling window with the previous candle body.
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Evening Doji Star
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A bigger white body, followed by one or more doji’s with a rising window above the closing price of the first white body. The black candle that follows ideally lays 50% or more within the first white body and has a falling window with the previous candle body.
This is a stronger reversal pattern than the evening star.
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Bearish Abandoned Baby
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An abandoned baby pattern is an evening doji star with a window between the doji and the white and black candle, resulting in an island reversal. The island can have more candles and more than one doji.
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Hanging Man
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A hanging man is a small white or black body close to the high price. It has a long shadow below, with a minimum size of twice the height of the body. There is a very small shadow or no shadow at the top. A dragonfly doji is a specific version of the hanging man pattern. Confirmation is required.
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Bearish Shooting Star
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A bearish shooting star is a small white (but preferably a small black) body near the low price. It has a long shadow above that is, at minimum, twice the size of the body. It has a very small shadow or no shadow below. There is a gap between the bodies of the bearish shooting star and the previous candle.
A top reversal only after confirmation. |  |
Bearish Gravestone Doji
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A bearish gravestone doji is a bearish shooting star where the opening, closing, and low prices are all about the same. It has a long shadow above and no shadow below. There is a gap between the bodies of the doji and the previous candle.
A top reversal only after confirmation. |  |
Tweezer Tops
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Two or more candles making highs together. Preferably, the highs are made with high prices, but they also can be combinations of any of the other prices. Size and color are not important. This is a reversal pattern that, most of the time, is part of another pattern.
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Three Black Crows
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Three black candlesticks with each subsequent bar having lower closing prices, close to the low of the bar. Opening prices of candles two and three are within the body of the previous candles.
Many times, there will be a small reaction before the new downtrend is resumed.
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Bearish Dumpling Top
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The bearish dumpling top is formed with a number of smaller candles. After this top formation pattern, the price usually makes a down-move with a falling window.
A bearish dumpling top is a powerful reversal pattern.
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Upside Gap Two Crows
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A white candle in an uptrend is followed by a smaller black candle with a gap above the closing price of the white candle. The body of the next black bar completely covers the previous black bar. This bar also has a gap with the closing price of the white candle.
A very rare pattern.
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Two Crows
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A white candle in an uptrend is followed by a smaller black candle with a gap above the closing price of the white candle. The body of the next black bar has an opening price within the body of the first black bar and a closing price within the body of the white candle.
Confirmation is needed.
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Technical Analysis Candlestick charts
Continuation Patterns
Bullish Continuation Patterns
Bullish Three-line Strike
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In an uptrend, there are three or more days of higher prices, followed by a big black candle covering most of the previous bars’ up-move.
Wait for a confirmation.
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Rising Three
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In an uptrend, a big white candle is followed by a number of small, mostly black bodies. The pattern ends with a big white candle with a new high price.
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Mat Hold
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This is a variation of the rising three. In an uptrend, a big white candle is followed by a small candle with a rising window and a lower closing price, forming an evening star pattern. Next, there are a number of small, mostly black candles. The pattern ends with a big white candle with a new high price.
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Separating Lines
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In an uptrend, a black body is followed by a white body with the same opening price.
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Bearish Continuation Patterns
Bearish Three-line Strike
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In a downtrend, there are three or more days of lower prices, followed by a big white candle covering most of the previous bars’ down-move.
Wait for a confirmation.
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Falling Three
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In a downtrend, a big black candle is followed by a number of small, mostly white bodies. The pattern ends with a big black candle with a new low price.
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In-neck Line, On-neck Line
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In a downtrend, a relatively big black body is followed by a white body with a lower opening price than the black candle’s closing price. With the in-neck line, the white body closes just within the black body. With the on-neck line, the white body closes within the lower shadow of the black body.
Confirmation is required. |  |
Thrusting Line
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In a downtrend, a relatively big black body is followed by a white body with a lower opening price than the black candle’s closing price. The white body closes below the midpoint of the black body, not forming a piercing line.
Conformation is required. |  |
Separating Lines
Technical Analysis Candlestick chartsTrading in the Context of Price History
Would you be confident opening a short position with the bearish engulfing pattern, as shown in figure 6.22?
Figure 6.22: Would you open a short position with this bearish engulfing pattern?
YES! Despite the fact that there is no confirmation yet, you should not have any doubt about opening a short position here. The doji and the bearish engulfing pattern confirm the resistance of a previous evening star top from the beginning of March; therefore, a price reversal is almost certain. Additionally, you can open the position with a favorable risk-to-reward ratio, placing a stop at the top of the bearish engulfing or at the level of the previous top, which is almost the same.
Figure 6.23: Confidence rewarded.
And the confidence was rewarded (figure 6.23)!
Figure 6.24: The last two days are a bullish harami cross. Is this a good buying moment?
In the chart shown in figure 6.24, the prices moved down considerably. The last two days make up a bullish harami cross. Is this a good buying moment?
NO! Right above the bullish harami cross, there is resistance from a falling window. If this resistance prevents an up-move now, the risk-to-reward ratio is not good. So, it will be much better to wait for the window to be broken before taking a position.
Figure 6.25: Price evolution confirmed it was better to wait!
Further price evolution confirmed that it was better to wait (figure 6.25).
The last three candles in figure 6.26 are a morning doji star. Should you buy here?
 Figure 6.26: The last three candles are a morning doji star. Should you buy here?
YES! It does not look like an ideal morning doji star, but the third candle reaches just within the first candle and is very important for future resistance; the window between the first and second candles of the morning doji star is already closed by the third candle, so this window has no more meaning. The middle small hammer in the morning doji star confirms a previous window support from half of February; furthermore, you can see a symmetrical triangle price pattern, which mostly is a continuation pattern. Opening a position now, with a stop at the low side of the support window, and a primary price target calculated from the height of the start of the triangle and added to a breakout of the triangle, gives a very good risk-to-reward ratio. These are good reasons to open a position now!
Good arguments made a good decision – figure 6.27
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In a downtrend, a white body is followed by a black body with the same opening price.