41 Candlestick Patterns Explained With Examples
41 Candlestick Patterns Explained With Examples
The Japanese candlestick chart patterns are the most popular way of reading trading charts.
Why?
Because they are simple to understand and tend to work very well when we trade with them.
Today you’ll learn about all the candlestick patterns that exist, how to identify them on your charts,
where should you be looking for them, and what to expect to happen after they appear.
Even better, you’ll know the success rate for each of the patterns, according to the Encyclopedia of
Candlestick Charts by Thomas N. Bulkowski (link).
Ready?
Here’s the list if you want to jump into any particular pattern, otherwise just keep reading.
o Hammer
o Inverted Hammer
o Bullish Engulfing
o Piercing
o Morning Star
o White Marubozu
o Three Inside Up
o Bullish Harami
o Tweezer Bottom
o Three Outside Up
o Dragonfly Doji
o Hanging Man
o Shooting Star
o Bearish Engulfing
o Evening Star
o Bearish Harami
o Tweezer Top
o Gravestone Doji
o Rising Window
o On Neck Bullish
o In Neck Bullish
o Falling Window
o On Neck Bearish
o In Neck Bearish
o Doji
o Spinning Top
o High Wave
Bullish reversal candlestick patterns show that buyers are in control, or regaining control of a
movement.
They are often used to go long, but can also be a warning signal to close short positions.
Hammer
The Hammer candlestick pattern is formed by one single candle.
This 1-candle bullish candlestick pattern is a reversal pattern, meaning that it’s used to find bottoms.
For this reason, we want to see this pattern after a move to the downside, showing that bulls are
starting to take control.
When a hammer candlestick pattern appears at the right location, it may show:
Here’s an example of a chart showing a trend reversal after a hammer candlestick pattern appeared:
Inverted Hammer
For this reason, we want to see this pattern after a move to the downside, showing that bulls are
starting to take control.
When an inverted hammer candlestick pattern appears at the right location, it may show:
Here’s an example of a chart showing a trend reversal after an inverted hammer candlestick pattern
appeared:
Bullish Engulfing
3. The body of the second candle must cover the body of the first candle
For this reason, we want to see this pattern after a move to the downside, showing that bulls are
starting to take control.
When a Bullish Engulfing candlestick pattern appears at the right location, it may show:
Here’s an example of a chart showing a trend reversal after a Bullish Engulfing candlestick pattern
appeared:
Piercing
3. The open level of the second candle must be below the first candle (there’s a gap there)
4. The close of the second candle must be above the 50% level of the body of the first candle
For this reason, we want to see this pattern after a move to the downside, showing that bulls are
starting to take control.
When a Piercing candlestick pattern appears at the right location, it may show:
Here’s an example of a chart showing a trend reversal after a Piercing candlestick pattern appeared:
Morning Star
3. The second candle must be small compared to the others, like a Doji or a Spinning Top
5. Ideally, the body of the second candle shouldn’t overlap with the bodies of the other two
candles
For this reason, we want to see this pattern after a move to the downside, showing that bulls are
starting to take control.
When a Morning Star candlestick pattern appears at the right location, it may show:
Here’s an example of a chart showing a trend reversal after a Morning Star candlestick pattern
appeared:
Three White Soldiers
This 3-candle bullish candlestick pattern is a reversal pattern, meaning that it’s used to find bottoms.
For this reason, we want to see this pattern after a move to the downside, showing that bulls are
starting to take control.
When a Three White Soldiers candlestick pattern appears at the right location, it may show:
Here’s an example of a chart showing a trend reversal after a Three White Soldiers candlestick
pattern appeared:
White Marubozu
For this reason, we want to see this pattern after a move to the downside, showing that bulls are
starting to take control.
When a White Marubozu candlestick pattern appears at the right location, it may show:
Here’s an example of a chart showing a trend reversal after a White Marubozu candlestick pattern
appeared:
Three Inside Up
3. The close of the second candle should ideally be above the 50% level of the body of the first
one
For this reason, we want to see this pattern after a move to the downside, showing that bulls are
starting to take control.
When a Three Inside Up candlestick pattern appears at the right location, it may show:
Here’s an example of a chart showing a trend reversal after a Three Inside Up candlestick pattern
appeared:
Bullish Harami
This 2-candle bullish candlestick pattern is a reversal pattern, meaning that it’s used to find bottoms.
For this reason, we want to see this pattern after a move to the downside, showing that bulls are
starting to take control.
When a Bullish Harami candlestick pattern appears at the right location, it may show:
Here’s an example of a chart showing a trend reversal after a Bullish Harami candlestick pattern
appeared:
Tweezer Bottom
3. The lows from both candles should be pretty much at the same level
For this reason, we want to see this pattern after a move to the downside, showing that bulls are
starting to take control.
When a Tweezer Bottom candlestick pattern appears at the right location, it may show:
Here’s an example of a chart showing a trend reversal after a Tweezer Bottom candlestick pattern
appeared:
Three Outside Up
2. The second candle is bullish and engulfs the first one completely
3. The third candle is bullish and closes above the other ones
This 3-candle bullish candlestick pattern is a reversal pattern, meaning that it’s used to find bottoms.
For this reason, we want to see this pattern after a move to the downside, showing that bulls are
starting to take control.
When a Three Outside Up candlestick pattern appears at the right location, it may show:
Here’s an example of a chart showing a trend reversal after a Three Outside Up candlestick pattern
appeared:
3. There’s a gap between the close of the first candle and the open of the second candle
For this reason, we want to see this pattern after a move to the downside, showing that bulls are
starting to take control.
When a Bullish Counterattack Line candlestick pattern appears at the right location, it may show:
Here’s an example of a chart showing a trend reversal after a Bullish Counterattack Line candlestick
pattern appeared:
Dragonfly Doji
This 1-candle bullish candlestick pattern is a reversal pattern, meaning that it’s used to find bottoms.
For this reason, we want to see this pattern after a move to the downside, showing that bulls are
starting to take control.
When a Dragonfly Doji candlestick pattern appears at the right location, it may show:
Here’s an example of a chart showing a trend reversal after a Dragonfly Doji candlestick pattern
appeared:
Bearish Reversal Candlestick Patterns
Bearish reversal candlestick patterns show that sellers are in control, or regaining control of a
movement.
They are often used to short, but can also be a warning signal to close long positions.
Hanging Man
For this reason, we want to see this pattern after a move to the upside, showing that bears are
starting to take control.
When a Hanging Man candlestick pattern appears at the right location, it may show:
Here’s an example of a chart showing a trend reversal after a Hanging Man candlestick pattern
appeared:
Shooting Star
For this reason, we want to see this pattern after a move to the upside, showing that bears are
starting to take control.
When a Shooting Star candlestick pattern appears at the right location, it may show:
Here’s an example of a chart showing a trend reversal after a Shooting Star candlestick pattern
appeared:
Bearish Engulfing
3. The body of the second candle must cover the body of the first candle
For this reason, we want to see this pattern after a move to the upside, showing that bears are
starting to take control.
When a Bearish Engulfing candlestick pattern appears at the right location, it may show:
Here’s an example of a chart showing a trend reversal after a Bearish Engulfing candlestick pattern
appeared:
Dark Cloud Cover
3. The open level of the second candle must be above the first candle (there’s a gap there)
4. The close of the second candle must be below the 50% level of the body of the first candle
For this reason, we want to see this pattern after a move to the upside, showing that bears are
starting to take control.
When a Dark Cloud Cover candlestick pattern appears at the right location, it may show:
Here’s an example of a chart showing a trend reversal after a Dark Cloud Cover candlestick pattern
appeared:
Evening Star
5. Ideally, the body of the second candle shouldn’t overlap with the bodies of the other two
candles
For this reason, we want to see this pattern after a move to the upside, showing that bears are
starting to take control.
When an Evening Star candlestick pattern appears at the right location, it may show:
Here’s an example of a chart showing a trend reversal after an Evening Star candlestick pattern
appeared:
Three Black Crows
This 3-candle bearish candlestick pattern is a reversal pattern, meaning that it’s used to find tops.
For this reason, we want to see this pattern after a move to the upside, showing that bears are
starting to take control.
When a Three Black Crows candlestick pattern appears at the right location, it may show:
Here’s an example of a chart showing a trend reversal after a Three Black Crows candlestick pattern
appeared:
Black Marubozu
For this reason, we want to see this pattern after a move to the upside, showing that bears are
starting to take control.
When a Black Marubozu candlestick pattern appears at the right location, it may show:
Here’s an example of a chart showing a trend reversal after a Black Marubozu candlestick pattern
appeared:
Three Inside Down
3. The close of the second candle should ideally be below the 50% level of the body of the first
one
For this reason, we want to see this pattern after a move to the upside, showing that bears are
starting to take control.
When a Three Inside Down candlestick pattern appears at the right location, it may show:
Here’s an example of a chart showing a trend reversal after a Three Inside Down candlestick pattern
appeared:
Bearish Harami
This 3-candle bearish candlestick pattern is a reversal pattern, meaning that it’s used to find tops.
For this reason, we want to see this pattern after a move to the upside, showing that bears are
starting to take control.
When a Bearish Harami candlestick pattern appears at the right location, it may show:
Here’s an example of a chart showing a trend reversal after a Bearish Harami candlestick pattern
appeared:
Tweezer Top
3. The highs from both candles should be pretty much at the same level
For this reason, we want to see this pattern after a move to the upside, showing that bears are
starting to take control.
When a Tweezer Top candlestick pattern appears at the right location, it may show:
Here’s an example of a chart showing a trend reversal after a Tweezer Top candlestick pattern
appeared:
Three Outside Down
2. The second candle is bearish and engulfs the first one completely
3. The third candle is bearish and closes below the other ones
This 3-candle bearish candlestick pattern is a reversal pattern, meaning that it’s used to find tops.
For this reason, we want to see this pattern after a move to the upside, showing that bears are
starting to take control.
When a Three Outside Down candlestick pattern appears at the right location, it may show:
Here’s an example of a chart showing a trend reversal after a Three Outside Down candlestick
pattern appeared:
3. There’s a gap between the close of the first candle and the open of the second
For this reason, we want to see this pattern after a move to the upside, showing that bears are
starting to take control.
When a Bearish Counterattack Line candlestick pattern appears at the right location, it may show:
Here’s an example of a chart showing a trend reversal after a Bearish Counterattack Line candlestick
pattern appeared:
Gravestone Doji
This 1-candle bearish candlestick pattern is a reversal pattern, meaning that it’s used to find tops.
For this reason, we want to see this pattern after a move to the upside, showing that bears are
starting to take control.
When a Gravestone Doji candlestick pattern appears at the right location, it may show:
Here’s an example of a chart showing a trend reversal after a Gravestone Doji candlestick pattern
appeared:
Bullish Continuation Candlestick Patterns
Bullish continuation candlestick patterns show that buyers are still in control after an upward
movement.
3. The red candles don’t break the high of the first green candle
4. Finally, another big green candle, closing above the other candles
For this reason, we want to see this pattern after a move to the upside, showing that bulls are
starting to take control again.
Here’s an example of a chart showing a continuation move after a Rising Three Methods candlestick
pattern appeared:
This 3-candle bullish candlestick pattern is a continuation pattern, meaning that it’s used to find
entries to go long after pauses during an uptrend.
For this reason, we want to see this pattern after a move to the upside, showing that bulls are
starting to take control again.
Here’s an example of a chart showing a continuation move after an Upside Tasuki Gap candlestick
pattern appeared:
Rising Window
This 2-candle bullish candlestick pattern is a continuation pattern, meaning that it’s used to find
entries to go long after pauses during an uptrend.
For this reason, we want to see this pattern after a move to the upside, showing that bulls are
starting to take control again.
Here’s an example of a chart showing a continuation move after a Rising Window candlestick pattern
appeared:
3. The red candles don’t break the low of the first green candle
4. Finally, another big green candle, closing above the other candles
For this reason, we want to see this pattern after a move to the upside, showing that bulls are
starting to take control again.
Here’s an example of a chart showing a continuation move after a Mat Hold Bullish candlestick
pattern appeared:
On Neck Bullish
This 2-candle bullish candlestick pattern is a continuation pattern, meaning that it’s used to find
entries to go long after pauses during an uptrend.
For this reason, we want to see this pattern after a move to the upside, showing that bulls are
starting to take control again.
Here’s an example of a chart showing a continuation move after an On Neck Bullish candlestick
pattern appeared:
In Neck Bullish
3. The green candle closes at the close level of the red candle
For this reason, we want to see this pattern after a move to the upside, showing that bulls are
starting to take control again.
Here’s an example of a chart showing a continuation move after an In Neck Bullish candlestick
pattern appeared:
Bearish continuation candlestick patterns show that sellers are still in control after a downward
movement.
3. The green candles don’t break the high of the first red candle
4. Finally, another big red candle, closing below the other candles
For this reason, we want to see this pattern after a move to the downside, showing that bears are
starting to take control again.
Here’s an example of a chart showing a continuation move after a Falling Three Methods candlestick
pattern appeared:
This 3-candle bearish candlestick pattern is a continuation pattern, meaning that it’s used to find
entries to short after pauses during a downtrend.
For this reason, we want to see this pattern after a move to the downside, showing that bears are
starting to take control again.
Here’s an example of a chart showing a continuation move after a Downside Tasuki Gap candlestick
pattern appeared:
Falling Window
This 2-candle bearish candlestick pattern is a continuation pattern, meaning that it’s used to find
entries to short after pauses during a downtrend.
For this reason, we want to see this pattern after a move to the downside, showing that bears are
starting to take control again.
Here’s an example of a chart showing a continuation move after a Falling Window candlestick
pattern appeared:
3. The green candles don’t break the high of the first red candle
4. Finally, another big red candle, closing below the other candles
For this reason, we want to see this pattern after a move to the downside, showing that bears are
starting to take control again.
Here’s an example of a chart showing a continuation move after a Mat Hold Bearish candlestick
pattern appeared:
On Neck Bearish
This 2-candle bearish candlestick pattern is a continuation pattern, meaning that it’s used to find
entries to short after pauses during a downtrend.
For this reason, we want to see this pattern after a move to the downside, showing that bears are
starting to take control again.
Here’s an example of a chart showing a continuation move after an On Neck Bearish candlestick
pattern appeared:
In Neck Bearish
3. The red candle closes at the close level of the green candle
For this reason, we want to see this pattern after a move to the downside, showing that bears are
starting to take control again.
Here’s an example of a chart showing a continuation move after an In Neck Bearish candlestick
pattern appeared:
Indecision candlestick patterns show exactly what the name suggests, times when the market is
undecided about where to go.
For this reason, when you see them, it’s a good practice to stay away and wait for clear price action
showing a move starting in some direction.
Doji
High Wave
The only difference between them is the size of the wicks. In the High Wave pattern, they are
abnormally bigger.
Candlestick patterns can be bearish or bullish depending if they are anticipating a bear or
bull market move.
Some candlestick patterns mean that the market is undecided, and we should stay away
from trading until a clear direction appears.
If you want to learn more about these patterns and their success rate in different scenarios, here’s
the book that you should read.