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.
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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.

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.

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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!
Figure 6.2: Candlestick naming.

Format, Naming, and Meaning

Candlesticks Format Overview

Figure 6.3: Candlesticks format description.

Format description:
Nr. Name Interpretation
1 Big white body (White Marubozu) Very positive
2 Big black body (Black Marubozu) Very negative
3 White opening Marubozu Quite positive
4 White closing Marubozu Positive
5 Black closing Marubozu Negative
6 Black opening Marubozu Quite negative
7 White candle No direction
8 Black candle No direction
9 Dragonfly doji Reversal?
10 Doji star Reversal?
11 Gravestone doji Stable/Reversal
12 Long-legged doji Reversal?
13 Four price doji Reversal?
14 Hammer (white) Bottom reversal
Hanging man Top reversal
15 Hammer (black) Bottom reversal
Hanging man 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: 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 Part2

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.
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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.
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 Basic Patterns
Different basic patterns offer an indication about what kind of price evolution can be expected.
Basic Definitions
White Body

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

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

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.

Big Black Candle

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.

Doji

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.

 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

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.

Doji Star

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.

Spinning Tops and Bottoms

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.

Tweezer Tops and Bottoms

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.

Technical Analysis Candlestick charts Part 3

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.
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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.
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A doji within a downtrend (figure 6.18) has much 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 Part 4

Reversal Patterns
Reversal patterns are candlestick patterns that announce a trend reversal.
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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

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.

Piercing Line

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.

Bullish Counterattack

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
 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.

Bullish Harami Cross

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

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.

Morning Doji Star

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.

Bullish Abandoned Baby

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

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.
 Inverted Hammer
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.

Tweezer Bottoms

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.

Fry Pan Bottom

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.

Three River Bottom

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

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 Part 5

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.

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Engulfing Bearish
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

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.

Bearish Counterattack

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.

Bearish Harami

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.

Bearish Harami Cross

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.

Evening Star
 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.

Evening Doji Star

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.

Bearish Abandoned Baby

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.

Hanging Man

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.

Bearish Shooting Star

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

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
 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.

Three Black Crows

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

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.

Upside Gap Two Crows

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.

Two Crows

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.

Technical Analysis Candlestick charts Part 6

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.

Rising Three

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.

Mat Hold

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.

Separating Lines

In an uptrend, a black body is followed by a white body with

the same opening price.

Bearish Continuation Patterns

Bearish Three-line Strike

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.

Falling Three
 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.

In-neck Line, On-neck Line

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.

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Thrusting Line

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

In a downtrend, a white body is followed by a black body with

the same opening price.

Technical Analysis Candlestick charts Part 7

Trading 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?
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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