What Constitutes Japanese Candlesticks
The New American, August 13, 2001
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Japanese candlesticks, a quintessential instrument for astute technical analysts and seasoned traders across the globe, owe their origins to
the bustling rice markets of 18th-century Japan. Initially devised to forecast price fluctuations, these candlestick patterns now empower
traders to craft well-informed decisions in the volatile arenas of stock markets, Forex, commodities, and other financial domains. This
exposition will delve into the multifaceted world of Japanese candlesticks, dissecting their intricate structure, profound significance, and
their practical application in contemporary trading paradigms type of candlestick.
Singular Candlestick Patterns
The Doji candlestick manifests when the opening and closing prices are nearly indistinguishable, resulting in a minuscule or non-existent
body. This pattern signifies market ambivalence, where neither buyers nor sellers assert a decisive edge. Variants of the Doji pattern
include:
- Gravestone Doji: Arises when the opening and closing prices converge at the session's low, accompanied by an elongated upper shadow,
heralding a potential transition from bullish to bearish.
- Dragonfly Doji: Emerges when the opening and closing prices coincide at the session's high, characterized by an extensive lower shadow,
suggesting a possible shift from bearish to bullish.
- Long-Legged Doji: Defined by elongated shadows on both ends, this pattern reflects pronounced market indecision.
Though visually similar, the Hammer and Hanging Man diverge in their implications based on their placement within the trend:
- Hammer: Materializes post-downtrend, with a diminutive body and an extended lower shadow, foreshadowing a potential bullish reversal.
- Hanging Man: Appears post-uptrend, also featuring a small body and an extended lower shadow, indicative of a prospective bearish reversal.
The Spinning Top candlestick exhibits a petite body flanked by long upper and lower shadows, signaling market indecision. This pattern
intimates that the market may be losing momentum, with a reversal possibly looming.
Dual Candlestick Patterns
Bullish and Bearish Engulfing Patterns
The Engulfing Pattern comprises two candlesticks, where the second candle completely overshadows the first:
- Bullish Engulfing: Unfolds post-downtrend, where a smaller bearish candle is succeeded by a larger bullish candle, suggesting an impending
bullish reversal.
- Bearish Engulfing: Emerges post-uptrend, where a smaller bullish candle is enveloped by a larger bearish candle, indicating a bearish
reversal.
Tweezer Tops and Bottoms
Tweezer patterns consist of two candlesticks with matching peaks or troughs:
- Tweezer Top: Forms post-uptrend, with two candles displaying the same peak, signaling a potential bearish reversal.
- Tweezer Bottom: Appears post-downtrend, with two candles exhibiting the same trough, suggesting a possible bullish reversal.
Harami Patterns
The Harami Pattern involves two candles, where the second candle?s body is entirely contained within the first candle?s body:
- Bullish Harami: Occurs post-downtrend, indicating a potential bullish reversal.
- Bearish Harami: Emerges post-uptrend, suggesting a possible bearish reversal.
Triple Candlestick Patterns
Morning and Evening Star
The Morning Star and Evening Star patterns are tri-candle formations that herald potential reversals:
- Morning Star: Emerges post-downtrend, composed of a lengthy bearish candle, a short-bodied candle, and a long bullish candle, signaling a
bullish reversal.
- Evening Star: Forms post-uptrend, with a long bullish candle, a short-bodied candle, and a long bearish candle, indicating a bearish
reversal.
Three White Soldiers and Three Black Crows
The Three White Soldiers and Three Black Crows are formidable patterns that indicate robust trends:
- Three White Soldiers: Consists of three successive bullish candles, each closing higher, denoting a strong bullish trend.
- Three Black Crows: Comprises three consecutive bearish candles, each closing lower, signaling a strong bearish trend.
Three Inside Up and Three Inside Down
The Three Inside patterns are a variation of the Harami pattern, offering further confirmation of a reversal:
- Three Inside Up: Arises post-downtrend, consisting of a Bullish Harami followed by a bullish candle that closes above the preceding
candle, affirming a bullish reversal.
- Three Inside Down: Appears post-uptrend, starting with a Bearish Harami followed by a bearish candle that closes below the previous
candle, corroborating a bearish reversal.
Comprehending the myriad forms of Japanese candlesticks is indispensable for traders striving to anticipate market movements and make
sagacious decisions. Each pattern divulges insights into market sentiment and potential reversals or continuations in price trends. By
mastering these patterns, traders can refine their strategies and bolster their prospects of triumph in the financial markets.
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