Candlestick Reversal Patterns

Charting 201 – Intermediate

06/11/08 by Stanley Barnes  
Filed under Technical Analysis

Candlestick Reversal Patterns

The next sets of candlesticks shown below are known as the “hammer” and the “hanging man.” The lower shadows attached to the bodies should be twice the length of the real body itself. These candlesticks will have no upper shadow and appear to have a “flat head.” When you come across a hammer which has formed after a downtrend, remember that the trend may then slow down and change direction by moving sideways or changing directions by heading straight into an uptrend. A hanging man represents the exact opposite. Once you see a hanging man following an uptrend, take profits right away. This is a selling indicator which now represent a change in trend may occur in a negative direction.


In the next graph we will take a look at “bullish engulfing” and “bearish engulfing” patterns. These patterns can also predict a trend change. This pattern consists of two candlestick bodies of opposing color in which the second body is larger and “engulfs” the previous body. Remember that these reversal patterns do not always promise a trend change. Instead, they should be viewed upon as a “look out” for price changes in the future.

This figure shows another type of reversal pattern, the “dark cloud,” in which appears at the height of an uptrend or near the top of a sideways move. Here, the first real body is clear and long while the second real body opens above the close of the first, but closes near the low of the trading range. This second move should penetrate deep into the territory that the first real body was trading in. The deeper the pullback, the more bearish of an indicator the signal becomes. On the other hand, the “bullish piercing” pattern, shows us a bullish trend reversal in which a long dark real body precedes a long white real body. This powerful reversal pattern will take place at the bottom of a downtrend.

Harami and the Harami Cross

The “harami” pattern is made up of a long real body that engulfs the smaller candlestick. This can be associated to a parent with their child. The longer body must occur first, followed by a shorter body. The colors do not need to be opposite, but are usually found in that manner. These patterns warn that the current trend may be slowing down or ready to trade sideways for some time.

The “harami cross” forms when the second candlestick is a doji. Since we have a doji forming, there will be a powerful move. This move depends on what body is formed and will be an indication of what direction will follow. If the body is dark, the move will be bearish. If the body is clear, the move will be bullish. Examples of harami and harami cross patterns are shown below.

Candlestick Star Patterns

The next group of patterns is made up of three candlesticks that include “stars.” These patterns are very strong signs that a reversal is coming. These candlesticks must appear at the top or bottom of a trend. The star must gap away from the other two candlesticks surrounding it. If the star is a doji, we should consider this an even more powerful sign that a reversal is occurring. The other bodies surrounding the star should be long real bodies of opposing color. Note that a doji that does not exactly open and close on the same price is still a significant signal. A doji followed by other doji and may be trending in a sideways fashion are weak signals and should not be played.

Long-legged Doji and Gravestone Candlesticks

In this graph we will look at a “Long-legged Doji” and the “gravestone” patterns. The long legged doji has very long upper and lower shadows and usually shows up around the tops of trends. This is a complete sign of indecision. Here, the bulls and bears are fighting it out in a struggle to gain ground. Again, in a situation like this take profits immediately.
The gravestone is another profit taking pattern for the bulls when the stock is in an uptrend. Usually following this symbol one will probably see a mob of sellers waiting anxiously to drive the stock price back down. One can see by the illustration that the stock will open and close near the lows of the day.

Spinning Tops and High Wave Candlesticks

The last groups of candlesticks shown below are named “spinning tops” and “high wave candlesticks.” Candlesticks that show a smaller real body and obtain either color are known as spinning tops. They do not act an indicator, but tend to show up in charts.
High wave candlesticks show very long upper and/or lower shadows. A group of high wave candlesticks may tell of a trend change.

Congested and Continuation Patterns

Congested and consolidation patterns are easy to spot. When a stock trades and moves in an irregular pattern, it is said that the stock is congested. We do not want to a stock when it is behaving in such a manner. The second that investors trade a stock with uncertainty, the market shows us her sense of humor as foolish investors are taken to the cleaners.
On the other hand, when a stock seems to trade in a sideways and orderly fashion, it is said that the stock is consolidating. The longer a stock trades in this pattern, the more powerful the breakout in which ever direction it goes. In this chart you will be able to see an example of when a stock trades in either pattern.

Flag and Triangle Continuation Patterns

A stock’s price can do two things. It can either reverse or continue in the same direction. Continuation patterns are made up of candlesticks and indicate great buying opportunities. In this chart we will take a look at a few patterns to study and spot for further profits. One thing to remember is that when stocks are in an uptrend and pulls back in the form of flags; make sure the pullbacks occur on low volume. Low volume means that the pullback is not powerful enough to break the uptrend.

Optimal Moving Average Positioning

Moving averages come in three kinds known as simple (SMA), weighted, or exponentially smoothed averages. An example of a 50-day moving average would be the last 50 days of a stock’s closing price added together, and then divided by 50. This procedure is repeated each day and forms a line.
Major moving averages can act as great supports for a stock. It can be like a magnet in the way a stock will bounce off it only to return to the moving average and bounce off it again.
On the other side of acting as a support, moving averages can also form a resistance. Once a stock has traded under a major moving, that average becomes a ceiling. This fact is especially true once the stock has fallen under its 200-day moving average. Some of the major moving averages include the 20-day, 40-day, 50-day, and 200-day moving averages. Other averages used that could be beneficial are a stock’s 10-day, 30-day, 40-day, and 100-day moving average.
This graph shows a typical setup when a stock is in good shape in an upward trend.

Double Top and Double Bottom Reversal Patterns

The next sets of patterns are very important and are the easiest to spot. The double top and bottom form when the stock tries to retest old support/resistance levels and fails. Look at these examples of a double top and bottom:

Here, we see an “M” pattern forming on a double top which is a major bearish sign. In a double bottom a “W” type pattern is formed in which we see a bullish rally to follow. If the stock is to form more humps and continue to test the resistance or support areas there will be a major move in the direction indicated. This goes along with a major move if a stock moves sideways in a basing pattern for a long time. The longer the wait, the stronger the breakout whether it is up or down.