CANDLESTICKS 101

THE COMPLETE GUIDE FOR BEGINNERS

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S/No. Topic Page No.

1 Introduction 1

2 Candlesticks 2

2.1 Doji 2

2.1.1 Gravestone 3

2.1.2 Long-Legged 4

2.1.3 Dragonfly 5

2.2 Morning Star 6

2.3 Evening Star 7

2.4 Hammer 8

2.5 Inverted Hammer 9

2.6 Hanging Man 10

2.7 Shooting Star 11

2.7.1 Shooting Star vs Inverted Hammer 12

2.8 Bullish Engulfing 13

2.9 Bearish Engulfing 14

2.10 Bullish Harami 15

2.11 Bearish Harami 16

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2.12 The Rising-Three Method 17

2.13 The Falling-Three Method 18

2.14 Tweezer Top 19

2.15 Tweezer Bottom 20

3 Continuation Chart Patterns 21

3.1 Ascending Triangle 21

3.2 Descending Triangle 22

3.3 Symmetric Triangle 23

3.4 Bullish Pole & Flag Pattern 24

3.5 Bearish Pole & Flag Pattern 25

3.6 Pennant 26

3.7 Ascending Channel 27

3.8 Descending Channel 28

3.9 Horizontal Channel 29

3.9.1 Bearish Rectangle 30

3.9.2 Bullish Rectangle 31

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4 Reversal Chart Patterns 32

4.1 Double Top 32

4.2 Double Bottom 33

4.3 Head and Shoulders 34

4.4 Inverse Head and Shoulders 35

Patterns That Indicate

5 36
Both Continuations and Reversals

5.1 Rising Wedge 36

5.2 Falling Wedge 37

5.3 Cup and Handle 38

5.4 Inverse Cup and Handle 39

6 Conclusion 40
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1. INTRODUCTION
Candlesticks show us how the price of an underlying
security moves over time, which means we get
insights into the battle between buyers and sellers.
They tell us the four key complements of price
movement; the open, close, high and low of the
price of an asset in a given timeframe.

When reading into candlesticks, the key information

lies in the size and the colour. As a result,
candlesticks can be broadly classified into two
types: bullish and bearish. The second component
of a candlestick, apart from the body, is the wicks
on either side. While the body represents the
opening and closing of a security’s price over a
period, the wicks represent its high and low.
The upper wick, above the body of the candlestick,
represents the highest price the asset reached
during the specified time. The lower wick shows
the lowest price.

Let’s delve deeper into the different types of

candlesticks and candlestick patterns.

High
Close

Open
Low
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2. CANDLESTICKS
DOJI:
A Doji is formed when the opening and closing prices
of the security are nearly the same, resulting in the
body of the candle becoming significantly small.
The formation of a Doji candlestick pattern in
technical analysis reflects market indecision often
indicating a potential trend reversal or significant
price consolidation. Doji in isolation doesn’t give
sufficient information to base a trade.

DOJI

High High

Close Open

Open Close

Low Low
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TYPES OF DOJI:
GRAVESTONE:
This Doji has its body at the bottom of the candle.
It usually points towards a possible forthcoming
bearish reversal.

GRAVESTONE
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LONG-LEGGED:
This Doji candle has a relatively longer lower leg.
Even though it depicts indecisiveness, it could also
signal a potential reversal or a consolidation period
ahead.

LONG-LEGGED
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DRAGONFLY:
In this candle, the body is formed at the top of the
candle. it can tell us that a reversal is around the
corner.

DRAGONFLY
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MORNING STAR:
Morning Star is a three-candlestick pattern, where
the first candle is red, usually towards the end of a
downtrend. The third candle confirms the reversal by
opening higher than the previous candle. The star
here is the middle candle, which can be red or green,
showing indecision in the market. The selling
pressure has diminished and the buyers are
getting stronger.

Entry: Slightly above the high of the third candle

SL: Below the low of the star

MORNING STAR
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EVENING STAR:
Evening Star is also a three-candlestick pattern,
where the first candle is green, usually towards the
end of an uptrend. The third candle confirms the
reversal by opening lower than the previous candle.
The star here is the middle candle, which can be
red or green, showing indecision in the market.
Buying pressure has diminished and the sellers
are getting stronger.

Entry: Slightly below the low of the third candle

SL: Above the high of the star

EVENING STAR
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HAMMER:
Hammer candlesticks have a small body with a long
lower shadow or wick. The formation suggests a
potential trend reversal as buyers regain control
after a period of selling pressure (downtrend),
reflecting a psychological shift towards bullish
sentiment in the market.

Entry: Above the high of the hammer candlestick

SL: Below the low of the candlestick

BULLISH HAMMER

Opening Closing

Wick
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INVERTED HAMMER:
An inverted hammer is an upside-down hammer.
The upper wick is typically almost twice as long as
the body, with little to no lower wick. Inverted
hammers indicate a bullish trend reversal from a
downtrend. What happens is that during the
downtrend, where sellers pose a high threat,
buyers push back.

Entry: Above the high of the candle

SL: Below the low of the candlestick

INVERTED HAMMER

High High

Long Upper
Shadow

Close Open

Open Close

Little or No
Lower Shadow
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HANGING MAN:
A hanging man is a single-candlestick bearish
pattern, with a small body with little to no upper
wick and a lower wick nearly twice as long as the
body. The hanging man is typically found at the end
of an uptrend.

Entry: Below the low of the candlestick

SL: Above the high of the candle

HANGING MAN
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SHOOTING STAR:
This candlestick has a small body at the bottom and
a long upper shadow, resembling the tail of a comet.
A shooting star is a bearish candle with a long upper
shadow little or no lower shadow and a small body.
It usually appears after an uptrend/ price rise.
The upper shadow is usually about twice the size
of the body.

Note: Regardless of whether the candle is green or

red, a shooting star signifies a bearish candle when
in an uptrend.

Entry: Below the low of the candle

SL: Above the high of the candle

SHOOTING STAR

Existing uptrend
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 Shooting Star vs. Inverted Hammer

SHOOTING STAR INVERTED HAMMER

Bearish reversal pattern Potential bullish reversal

Appears at the end of an uptrend Appears at the end of a downtrend

Small real body, with a Small real body, with a

long upper shadow long upper shadow

Sign of potential trend change Sign of potential trend change

to downtrend to uptrend

SHOOTING STAR

INVERTED HAMMER
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BULLISH ENGULFING:
A bullish engulfing candle is formed when a small
bearish candle is followed by a bullish candle that
opens at or lower than the previous candle’s closing.
However, the bullish candle closes at a point higher
than the last candle’s opening, thereby engulfing the
bearish candle. Irrespective of the size of the red
candle, the critical factor here is the size of the green
candle.

Entry: Above the high of the bullish candle

SL: Below the low of the bullish candle

BULLISH ENGULFING
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BEARISH ENGULFING:
A bearish engulfing candle is formed when a small
bullish candle is followed by a bearish candle that
opens at or lower than the bullish candle’s closing.
However, the bearish candle closes at a point
higher than the last candle’s opening and, as a
result, engulfs the bullish candle. Contrary to
the bullish engulfing candle, the critical factor
in this pattern is the size of the red candle.

Entry: Below the low of the bearish engulfing candle

SL: Above the high of the bearish engulfing candle

BEARISH ENGULFING
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BULLISH HARAMI:
A Bullish Harami is a two-candlestick pattern at
the end of a downtrend. The first candle is a long
bearish candle. The second candle is a small bullish
candle that is contained within the body of the first
candle.

Entry: Above the high of the bullish candle

SL: Below the low of the bearish candle

BULLISH HARAMI

Red Green Body

Candle Candle
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BEARISH HARAMI:
This pattern consists of two candlesticks. The first
candlestick is larger and represents the existing
uptrend while the second candlestick gaps down the
mid-range of the previous candle and is smaller and
cosied up within the body of the first one.

This pattern indicates that there is selling pressure

and acts as a warning sign that the bears might be
regaining strength suggesting a potential reversal
in the market, from bullish to bearish.

Entry: Below the low of the bearish candle

SL: Above the high of the bullish candle

BEARISH HARAMI

Green Body Red

Candle Candle
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THE RISING THREE METHOD:
The rising three-method pattern appears during an
upward trend and retraces its steps throughout the
following days. The market is now experiencing a
strong buy-side period, and the pattern indicates
that the trend will probably continue in the near term.

The rising three-method candlestick pattern

consists of five candles. The first and fifth are
usually represented by the colour green. They are
lengthy bullish candlesticks. The second, third and
fourth candlesticks are all red.

Entry: Above the high of the fifth candle

SL: Below the low of the first candle

RISING THREE
METHOD

Has to break the first bearish

candlestick’s opening to be valid
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A FALLING THREE METHOD:
A bearish trend and a falling-three-candlestick
pattern show that the bears are in control.
The pattern is produced when the bulls start to gain
the upper hand but are unable to completely defeat
the bears. First, it halts the downward movement of
the price, as seen by the three brief green candles.
The bears catch up to the bulls because they can't
keep up their speed for very long. By closing below
the level of the first long candle, the long red candle
after the pattern completes it.

Entry: Below the low of the fifth candle

SL: Above the high of the first candle

FALLING THREE
METHOD

Big Red Big Red

Candle Candle

Three Small
Green Candles
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TWEEZER TOP:
This is a bearish reversal candlestick pattern that
usually occurs when an uptrend is ending.
The first candle is bullish and the second candle is
bearish. They both usually have the same highs,
although not necessarily. The body of the second
candle can be pretty much any size but it must make
a high similar to the first candle.

Entry: Below the low of the bearish candle

SL: Above the high of the candles

TWEEZER TOPS

A B C D
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TWEEZER BOTTOM:
This is a bullish reversal candlestick pattern that
usually occurs when a downtrend is dying. The first
candle is a bearish candle followed by a second
bullish candle. The body of the second candle can
be any size but their lows must have similar lows.

Entry: Above the high of the bullish candle

SL: Below the low of candles

TWEEZER BOTTOM
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3. CONTINUATION CHART PATTERNS

ASCENDING TRIANGLE:
An ascending triangle is formed when there is an
uptrend in the market during a series of high
lows and relatively equal highs. When the uptrend
consolidates, a horizontal line can be drawn
across the highs, which acts as the resistance level.
A rising trendline connecting the higher lows
represents the upward momentum, indicating
a bullish movement.

Entry: When the resistance is broken

SL: Below the highest point of the support trendline
Target: The target should be equal to the width of
the triangle
Accuracy: 83%*

ASCENDING
TRIANGLE
Trend Continuation

Resistance
Zone
Flat Upper Trendline

Uptrend
Support Trendline
Rising Lower (Zone)
Consolidation Trendline
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DESCENDING TRIANGLE:
When there is a downtrend in the market during
a series of lower highs and relatively equal
lows, it is a descending triangle pattern. Upon
consolidation, the equal low points mark the
support level. This is the horizontal line of the
descending triangle. The downward momentum
is indicated by the falling trendline connecting the
low highs, mainly caused by the selling pressure.

Entry: When the support is broken

SL: Above the lowest point of the resistance
trendline
Target: The target should be equal to the width of
the triangle
Accuracy: 87%*

DESCENDING
TRIANGLE
Downtrend
Descending
Upper Trendline Resistance
Trendline
(Zone)

Consolidation

Flat Lower Trendline

Support Zone Trend Continuation

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SYMMETRIC TRIANGLE:
In this continuation pattern, there is a balance
between the buyers and sellers—two converging
trendlines. one ascending and one descending,
create the triangle. The upper trendline connects
the lower highs, while the lower trendline connects
the higher lows, implying that volatility is reducing.

Entry: When the support/resistance is broken

SL: When going long, the SL should be below the

highest point of the support trend line. When going
short, the SL should be above the lowest point of
the resistance trend line.

Target: The target should be equal to the width of

the triangle

Accuracy: 81%* 62%*

SYMMETRIC
TRIANGLE
Descending Upper
Trendline Resistance
Zone

Support Zone
Ascending Lower
Trendline
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BULLISH POLE & FLAG PATTERN:
This pattern is formed after an uptrend, during the
consolidation. As the name suggests, it resembles a
flag on a flagpole—the flagpole is the sharp rally and
the flag is a rectangular-shaped continuation of the
trend. Two parallel lines form the flag, where the
upper one acts as resistance while the other is
support.

Entry: When the parallel line (resistance line or the

upper line of the flag) is broken

SL: Place stop loss where the Flag's lower trend line
reaches its lowest point

Target: The target will be equal to the length of the

pole

Accuracy: 85%*

BULLISH FLAG
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BEARISH POLE & FLAG PATTERN:
In direct contradiction to a bullish flag pattern, a
bearish flag continues a downtrend, consolidating
the price movements. After a sharp correction,
represented by the flagpole, prices move in a
narrow range which is indicated by the support
and resistance lines of the bearish flag.

Entry: When the parallel line (support line or the

lower line of the flag) is broken

SL: Place stop loss where the Flag's upper trend line
reaches its highest point

Target: The target will be equal to the length of the

pole

Accuracy: 50%*

BEARISH FLAG
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PENNANT:
Pennant is a short-term continuation pattern.
It comprises of two converging trendlines with
a support (Upward slope) and resistance
(Downward slope) forming a triangle.

Entry: (i) If in a downtrend, the price falls below the

support line a sell signal arises

(ii) If in an uptrend, the price rises above the

resistance line a buy signal arises

SL: Here, place your stop loss on the other side

(Support or resistance trendline)

Target: The target will be equal to the length of the

pole

Accuracy: 46%*

PENNANT

Bullish Pennant Bearish Pennant

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ASCENDING CHANNEL:
In an ascending channel, the price moves upwards
within the two boundaries of support (lower line)
and resistance (upper line). It is the continuation
of an uptrend and suggests the asset will rally
upon breakout.

Entry: When the resistance is broken

SL: Place stop loss where the lower trend line

reaches its highest point

Target: The target is equal to the width of the

channel

Accuracy: 73%*

ASCENDING CHANNEL
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DESCENDING CHANNEL:
This downtrend continuation pattern draws two
parallel boundaries within which the price of an
underlying asset falls. These boundaries are the
resistance and support levels, with the upper line
representing the former and the lower line, the latter.

Entry: When the support is broken

SL: Place stop loss where the upper trend line
reaches its lowest point
Target: The target is equal to the width of the
channel
Accuracy: 73%*

DESCENDING CHANNEL
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HORIZONTAL CHANNEL:
This price pattern shows the equal forces of buyers
and sellers in the market. Due to this, the price
moves sideways. The breakout of trend channels
predicts the direction of the price trend. A bearish
trend occurs if the support zone breaks, while a
bullish trend forms if the resistance zone breaks.
In the horizontal trend channel, price moves in
the form of swings making highs and lows. It is
also called the ranging market.

HORIZONTAL CHANNEL
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Bearish Rectangle (Horizontal Channel):
A bearish rectangle pattern is a trend continuation
pattern which is usually formed in a downtrend and
signals the trend’s direction. It is characterized by
support and resistance levels which connect recent
lows and highs of the price. If the price falls below
the support line a sell signal appears.

Entry: When the support is broken

SL: Slightly above the resistance
Target: The target is equal to the width of the
channel
Accuracy: 78%*

BEARISH RECTANGLE
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Bullish rectangle (Horizontal channel):
A bullish rectangle pattern is a trend continuation
pattern which is usually formed in an uptrend and
signals the trend’s direction. It is characterized by
support and resistance levels which connect recent
highs and lows of the price. If the price rises above
the resistance line a buy signal appears.

Entry: When the resistance is broken

SL: Slightly below the support
Target: The target is equal to the width of the
channel
Accuracy: 78%*

BULLISH RECTANGLE
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4. REVERSAL CHART PATTERNS

DOUBLE TOP:
This is a bearish reversal pattern where the price
reaches a significant peak, experiences a
retracement from high selling pressure and
rallies again, attempting to reach the previous
high. Here, the price fails to surpass the previous
peak and that point becomes the resistance level.

Entry: Enter the trade when the neckline is broken

SL: Keep stop loss slightly above the resistance
Target: The target in points should be equal to
your stop-loss points
Accuracy: 75%*

DOUBLE TOP

Top Top

Breakout

Neckline
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DOUBLE BOTTOM:
A double bottom pattern is a bullish reversal pattern
that occurs after a downtrend and suggests a
potential trend reversal. Contrary to a Double-Top,
this pattern has two roughly equal lows (support
level) joined by either a rally or a sideways trend.
The pattern starts with a significant low, bounces
off the support level and revisits it to form a
second low.

Entry: Enter the trade when the neckline is broken

SL: Keep stop loss slightly below the support
Target: The target in points should be equal to your
stop-loss points
Accuracy: 89%*

DOUBLE BOTTOM

Breakout

Neckline

Bottom Bottom
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HEAD AND SHOULDERS:
The head and shoulders pattern indicates a trend
reversal from bullish to bearish. It is called so due
to its resemblance to a head with two shoulders.
The pattern, however, wouldn’t be a replica of the
structure-it will only resemble the structure to an
extent. The left shoulder is the first peak of the
pattern, the head is the second and the highest
peak and the right shoulder is the third peak
resembling the left shoulder.

Entry: Enter the trade when the neckline is broken

SL: Keep stop loss slightly above the right shoulder
Target: The target is equal to the height of the neck
Accuracy: 81%*

HEAD AND SHOULDERS

Head

Left Right
Shoulder Shoulder

Neckline
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INVERSE HEAD AND SHOULDERS:
The Inverse Head and Shoulder pattern signals a
potential trend reversal from a downward trend to
an upward trend. The pattern resembles the shape
of a person’s head and two shoulders in an inverted
position, with three consistent lows and peaks.
The chart aims to identify a potential reversal in a
downtrend, indicating a possible bullish trend.

Entry: Enter the trade when the neckline is broken

SL: Keep stop loss slightly below the right shoulder
Target: The target is equal to the depth of the neck
Accuracy: 89%

INVERSE HEAD
AND SHOULDERS

Neckline

Left Shoulder Right Shoulder

Head
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5. PATTERNS THAT INDICATE BOTH
CONTINUATIONS AND REVERSALS
RISING WEDGE:
A rising wedge is a narrowing range of prices with
higher highs and higher lows, both of which are
enclosed by upward-sloping trendlines.

Entry: Go long when the resistance is broken.

Go short when the support is broken.

SL: When going long, the SL should be at the

highest point of support. When going short,
the SL should be at the highest point of resistance.

Target: Equal to the width of the wedge

Accuracy: 81%* 51%*

RISING WEDGE

Higher Tops

Even Higher
Bottoms
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FALLING WEDGE:
A falling wedge is a narrowing range of prices
with lower highs and lower lows, enclosed by
downward-sloping trendlines. This indicates a
potential uptrend.

Entry: Go long when the resistance is broken.

Go short when the support is broken.

SL: When going long, the SL should be at the

lowest point of support.When going short, the SL
should be at the lowest point of resistance.

Target: Equal to the width of the wedge

Accuracy: 74%* 71%*

FALLING WEDGE

Even Lower Tops

Lower Bottoms
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CUP AND HANDLE:
The Cup and Handle is a bullish continuation as well
as a reversal pattern that marks a consolidation
period followed by a breakout. The pattern consists
of two components, the handle, and the cup, as
suggested by its name. The cup takes shape
following an advance and has a bowl-like or rounded
bottom. The handle forms when the cup is finished,
and a trade range appears on the right side.
When the handle breaks out of its trading range
again, the previous rise will continue.

Entry: Go long when the handle breaks

SL: Below the handle
Target: The target should be equal to the depth of
the cup
Accuracy: 95%*

CUP AND HANDLE

Resistance Line

Handle

Cup
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INVERTED CUP AND HANDLE:
The inverted cup and handle pattern is a bearish
continuation as well as a reversal pattern that
appears in a downward price trend. The pattern is
considered valid when a downward breakout occurs
and the price closes below the support or neckline.
This upside-down cup pattern works the same way
as the cup and handle pattern, except that the
breakout direction is downward instead of upward.

Entry: Go long when the handle breaks

SL: Above the handle
Target: The target should be equal to the depth of
the cup
Accuracy: 82%*

INVERTED CUP
AND HANDLE

Cup

Handle

Resistance Line
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6. CONCLUSION

Candlestick charts are easy to read and understand,

especially for beginners. However, they are not
guaranteed to work—candlesticks only show the
direction of a security’s price, which is why they
should be used in conjunction with other technical
analysis tools, such as moving averages and
trendlines. It is essential to account for the broader
market context. Moreover, different candlestick
patterns hold different meanings depending on the
timeframe being analysed. It may also help if you
practise using candlestick charts on a demo
account before trading with real money.

DISCLAIMER:
The information regarding the accuracy of
candlesticks and candlestick patterns is sourced
from analysis conducted on the internet and does
not constitute Trinkerr's independent research.
Trinkerr does not give any recommendations.
Please consult financial professionals before
making any investments.
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