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Forex Course

51. Fundamentals Of Candlestick Patterns

Introduction

Introduction

Introduction

In the previous course lessons, we have discussed the basics of candlesticks along with the pros and cons of using them. From this lesson, we will learn the basic candlestick patterns and their usage. As discussed, the idea of candlesticks charts has started in Japan in the late 1870s. These charts were then introduced to the outside world by Steve Nison through his first book, ‘Japanese Candlestick Charting Technique.’

In this lesson, let’s discuss the primary advantage of using candlestick charts. Although a single candlestick gives us many details about the price movement of an asset, a sequential set of candlesticks is more powerful. These sets are also known as patterns in simple trading language, and using these patterns, traders across the world take trading decisions.

Expert traders have decoded many such patterns and rigorously backtested them to analyze what those patterns will eventually result in. They also examined how the market direction will change after the appearance of these patterns on the charts. Now, let’s see the different candlestick patterns one must know.

Different types of candlestick patterns

There are single, dual, and triple candlestick patterns depending on how many candlesticks are involved in them. For example, if there are the candlestick pattern is formed by three candlesticks, it is known as the triple candlestick pattern. Every single pattern has its own significance and can be found in most of the Forex charts.

The main intention of identifying any candlestick pattern is to understand the further price movement in the market. Hence these patterns are classified into two different types – Continuation Patterns & Reversal Patterns. When we identify a continuation candlestick pattern on the chart, it means that the market will continue in the same direction as the underlying trend. Contrarily, if we identify a reversal pattern on the charts, we can expect the price to change its direction. Also, these patterns are internally classified as bullish and bearish continuous/reversal patterns, which will be discussed in the upcoming lessons.

Examples of Continuation Candlestick Patterns

  • Deliberation Pattern
  • Concealing Baby Swallow Pattern
  • Rising Three Methods Pattern
  • Separating Lines Pattern
  • Doji Star Pattern

Examples of Reversal Candlestick Patterns  

Some of these are single candlestick patterns, while some are multiple candlestick patterns. We shall be discussing each of these patterns in detail in our future articles.

Psychological context of candlestick patterns

The candlestick patterns demonstrate the psychological trading that takes place during the period represented by a single or multiple candles. We need to start imagining the price movement as a battle between buyers and sellers. Typically, Buyers expect that prices will increase and drive the price up through their trades. Whereas sellers bet on falling prices and push the price down with their selling interest.

Also, the Japanese gave very visual names to these patterns so that it impacts the mentality of a trader. For instance, pattern names like Hanging Man and Dark Cloud Cover represent negativity, while the patterns like Three White Soldiers and Morning Star indicate positive market results. Hence, as soon as we hear the names of these patterns, our sub-conscious memory will know whether the forecast of the market is positive or negative.

Benefits of trading candlestick patterns

Although initially conceived for daily timeframes, Candlestick patterns can be used by swing traders, day traders, and even long term investors. Below are some of the significant advantages of these patterns.

  • They are very easy to identify and comprehend. They provide a detailed description of the occurrences and happenings in the markets.
  • Interaction between the buyers and sellers can easily be understood just by reading the pattern and without having to analyze the market entirely.
  • Candlestick patterns can be used in conjunction with other indicators for extra confirmation on the trading signals generated.
  • They display reversal patterns that cannot be seen in other charts like Line & Bar charts.

That’s about the introduction to Candlestick patterns. In our upcoming lessons, we will discuss different candlestick patterns and how to generate trading signals using these patterns. So, stay tuned.

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Candlestick patterns Forex Candlesticks

Candlestick Reversal Patterns III: Understanding the Harami

So far, the reversal formations we saw – the Piercing Pattern, the Dark Cloud Cover, and the Engulfing patterns, were strong reversal signals, showing that the bulls or bears had the control. The Harami is usually a less powerful signal.

So far, the reversal formations we saw – the Piercing Pattern, the Dark Cloud Cover, and the Engulfing patterns, were strong reversal signals, showing that the bulls or bears had the control. The Harami is usually a less powerful signal.

So far, the reversal formations we saw – the Piercing Pattern, the Dark Cloud Cover, and the Engulfing patterns, were strong reversal signals, showing that the bulls or bears had the control. The Harami is usually a less powerful signal.

The Harami is created when a short candle’s body is entirely contained inside the body of the preceding candle. The color of the second body of this pattern is unimportant, although the color of the first one follows the trend (black in downtrends and white in uptrends). The name “Harami” comes from the old Japanese word meaning “pregnant.” Japanese traders call the first candle, “the mother,” and the second one, “the baby.
The appearance of a Harami is indicative that the current trend has ended. According to Steve Nison, the Japanese say the presence of a Harami shows the market is losing its breath. They contend that, after a large healthy candle, the small inside candle shows uncertainty.
We have to say that if we look at the charts, harami-like formations appear often, but most of it was just pauses or pullbacks of the primary trend. Thus, although not good enough to call for a reversal of the trend, they could be potential signals to exit a trade or take partial profits.
Also, we have to remember that, since trading the Forex markets, and, also, intraday, there are no gaps available. This fact makes a harami quite similar to a Piercing pattern or a Dark cloud Cover if the body of the second candle surpasses half of the previous body.

Chart 1 – Several Haramis in the Cable.

As we see in chart 1, haramis and engulfing patterns are alike, with the exception of the second one.  What we can see is that be it harami or engulfing, the pattern is worth to pay attention to since most of the time signals the end of the previous leg.

Criteria for a Bullish Harami

  1. The body if the first candle is black (red) and the body of the second candle is white (green)
  2. There is evidence of a downtrend.
  3. The second candle opens higher or at the close of the first candle.
  4. Just the body needs to be inside the body of the first candle. That is unlike the inside day.
  5. A confirmation is needed for a reversal signal.
  6. The longer the black and white candles, the more powerful the signal
  7. The higher the white candle closes, the better.

Market Psychology of a Bullish Harami

After a selloff day, the next day, sellers don’t have the strength to push the prices further down. Concerned short-sellers start to take profits of just close the trade fuelling the purchases. The price finishes higher, and traders mark the double bottom as support. A strong day following the harami formation would convince the market participants that the trend has reversed.

Criteria for a Bearish Harami

  1. The body if the first candle is white (green) and the body of the second candle is black (red)
  2. There is evidence of an uptrend.
  3. The second candle opens lower or at the close of the first white candle.
  4. Just the body needs to be inside the body of the first candle. That is unlike the inside day.
  5. A confirmation is needed for a reversal signal.
  6. The longer the white and black candles, the more powerful the signal
  7. The lower the black candle closes, the better.

Chart 2- Several Haramis in the GBPAUD pair. Not all are successfully signaling a reversion of a trend

Market Psychology of a Bearish Harami

After a strong bullish trend, a long white candle emerges. In the next session, the longs cannot force more upsides. The asset began to drop, as concerned bulls are closing their positions to pocket their profits, and the day finished lower. Also, short-term traders mark the top of the white candle as a resistance level. A third day showing weakness is what is needed to convince everybody that the uptrend is over and a new leg down is starting.

References:

Profitable candlestick Patterns, Stephen Bigalow

The Candlestick Course: Steve Nison