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CANDLE DESCRIPTION
In order to create a candlestick chart, you must have a data set that contains open, high, low and close values for
each time period you want to display. The hollow or filled portion of the candlestick is called "the body" (also referred
to as "the real body"). The long thin lines above and below the body represent the high/low range and are called
"shadows" (also referred to as "wicks" and "tails"). The high is marked by the top of the upper shadow and the low by
the bottom of the lower shadow. If the stock closes higher than its opening price, a hollow candlestick is drawn
with the bottom of the body representing the opening price and the top of the body representing the closing price. If
the stock closes lower than its opening price, a filled candlestick is drawn with the top of the body representing
the opening price and the bottom of the body representing the closing price.

Marubozo
A candlestick with no shadow extending from the body at either the open, the close or at both. The name means
close-cropped or close-cut in Japanese, though other interpretations refer to it as Bald or Shaven Head.

Spinning Top
Candlestick lines that have small bodies with upper and lower shadows that exceed the length of the body. Spinning
tops signal indecision.

1) Long white candlesticks indicate that the Bulls controlled the ball (trading) for most of the game.
2) Long black candlesticks indicate that the Bears controlled the ball (trading) for most of the game.
3) Small candlesticks indicate that neither team could move the ball and prices finished about where they started.
4) A long lower shadow indicates that the Bears controlled the ball for part of the game, but lost control by the end
and the Bulls made an impressive comeback.
5) A long upper shadow indicates that the Bulls controlled the ball for part of the game, but lost control by the end
and the Bears made an impressive comeback.
6) A long upper and lower shadow indicates that the both the Bears and the Bulls had their moments during the
game, but neither could put the other away, resulting in a standoff.
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BULLISH OR BEARISH CANDLES BASED ON PREVIOUS TREND

Doji
Doji form when a security's open and close are virtually equal. The length of the upper and lower shadows can vary and the resulting
candlestick looks like a cross, inverted cross or plus sign. Doji convey a sense of indecision or tug-of-war between buyers and sellers. Prices
move above and below the opening level during the session, but close at or near the opening level. Alone, doji are neutral patterns.

Any bullish or bearish bias is based on preceding price action and future confirmation.
Dragonfly Doji
A Doji line where the open and close price are at the high of the day. Like other Doji days, this one normally appears at market turning points.
The reversal implications of a dragon fly doji depend on previous price action and future confirmation. After a long downtrend, long black
candlestick, or at support, a dragon fly doji could signal a potential bullish reversal or bottom. After a long uptrend, long white candlestick or at
resistance, the long lower shadow could foreshadow a potential bearish reversal or top. Bearish or bullish confirmation is required for both
situations.
Gravestone Doji
Gravestone doji form when the open, low and close are equal and the high creates a long upper shadow. Like other Doji days, this one normally
appears at market turning points. The reversal implications of a dragon fly doji depend on previous price action and future confirmation. After a
long downtrend, long black candlestick, or at support, a dragon fly doji could signal a potential bullish reversal or bottom. After a long uptrend,
long white candlestick or at resistance, the long lower shadow could foreshadow a potential bearish reversal or top. Bearish or bullish
confirmation is required for both situations.
Harami
The Harami is made up of two candlesticks. The first has a large body and the second a small body that is totally encompassed by the first.
There are four possible combinations: white/white, white/black, black/white and black/black. Whether they are bullish reversal or bearish
reversal patterns, all harami look the same. Their bullish or bearish nature depends on the preceding trend. Harami are considered
potential bullish reversals after a decline and potential bearish reversals after an advance. No matter what the color of the first candlestick, the
smaller the body of the second candlestick is, the more likely the reversal.

If the small candlestick is a doji, the chances of a reversal increase.


The most bullish are those that form with a white/black or white/white combination.
The most bearish are those that form with a black/white or black/black combination.
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BULLISH AND BEARISH PATTERNS

CANDLE BULLISH CANDLE BEARISH


Engulfing Pattern Engulfing Pattern
The bullish engulfing pattern consists of two candlesticks, the first The bearish engulfing pattern consists of two candlesticks;
black and the second white. The size of the black candlestick is the first is white and the second black. The size of the white
not that important, but it should not be a doji which would be candlestick is not that important, but should not be a doji,
relatively easy to engulf. The second should be a long white which would be relatively easy to engulf. The second should
candlestick -- the bigger it is, the more bullish. The white body be a long black candlestick. The bigger it is, the more
must totally engulf the body of the first black candlestick. Ideally, bearish the reversal. The black body must totally engulf the
though not necessarily, the white body would engulf the shadows body of the first, white, candlestick. Ideally, the black body
as well. Although shadows are permitted, they are usually small or should engulf the shadows as well, but this is not a
nonexistent on both candlesticks. requirement. Shadows are permitted, but they are usually
small or nonexistent on both candlesticks.
Piercing Line Dark Cloud Cover
The piercing pattern is made up of two candlesticks, the first black The dark cloud cover pattern is made up of two candlesticks;
and the second white. Both candlesticks should have fairly large the first is white and the second black. Both candlesticks
bodies and the shadows are usually, but not necessarily, small or should have fairly large bodies and the shadows are usually
nonexistent. small or nonexistent, though not necessarily.
The white candlestick must open below the previous close The black candlestick must open above the previous
and close above the midpoint of the black candlestick's body. close and close below the midpoint of the white
A close below the midpoint might qualify as a reversal, but would candlestick's body.
not be considered as bullish. A close above the midpoint might qualify as a reversal, but
would not be considered as bearish.
Morning Star Evening Star
A three day bullish reversal pattern consisting of three A bearish reversal pattern that continues an uptrend with a
candlesticks - a long-bodied black candle extending the current long white body day followed by a gapped up small body
downtrend, a short middle candle that gapped down on the open, day, then a down close with the close below the midpoint of
and a long-bodied white candle that gapped up on the open and the first day.
closed above the midpoint of the body of the first day. Further bearish confirmation is not required.
Further bullish confirmation is not required.
Morning Doji Star Evening Doji Star
A three day bullish reversal pattern that is very similar to the A three day bearish reversal pattern similar to the Evening
Morning Star. The first day is in a downtrend with a long black Star. The uptrend continues with a large white body. The
body. The next day opens lower with a Doji that has a small next day opens higher, trades in a small range, then closes
trading range. The last day closes above the midpoint of the first at its open (Doji). The next day closes below the midpoint of
day. the body of the first day.
Further bullish confirmation is not required. Further bearish confirmation is not required.
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CANDLE BULLISH CANDLE BEARISH


Abandoned Baby Abandoned Baby
A rare reversal pattern characterized by a gap followed by a Doji, A rare reversal pattern characterized by a gap followed by a
which is then followed by another gap in the opposite direction. Doji, which is then followed by another gap in the opposite
The shadows on the Doji must completely gap below or above the direction. The shadows on the Doji must completely gap
shadows of the first and third day. below or above the shadows of the first and third day.
The main difference between the morning doji star and the bullish The main difference between the evening doji star and the
abandoned baby are the gaps on either side of the doji. The first bearish abandoned baby are the gaps on either side of the
gap down signals that selling pressure remains strong. However, doji. The first gap up signals a continuation of the uptrend
selling pressure eases and the security closes at or near the open, and confirms strong buying pressure. However, buying
creating a doji. Following the doji, the gap up and long white pressure subsides after the gap up and the security closes at
candlestick indicate strong buying pressure and the reversal is or near the open, creating a doji. Following the doji, the gap
complete. down and long black candlestick indicate strong and
Further bullish confirmation is not required. sustained selling pressure to complete the reversal.
Further bearish confirmation is not required.
Hammer Hanging Man
The hammer is made up of one candlestick, white or black, with a Hanging Man candlesticks form when a security moves
small body, long lower shadow and small or nonexistent upper significantly lower after the open, but rallies to close well
shadow. The size of the lower shadow should be a least twice the above the intraday low. The resulting candlestick looks like a
length of the body and the high/low range should be relatively square lollipop with a long stick.
large. Large is a relative term and the high/low range should be
large relative to range over the last 10-20 days.
The resulting candlestick looks like a square lollipop with a
long stick.
Inverted Hammer ShootingStar
A one day bullish reversal pattern. In a downtrend, the open is The shooting star is made up of one candlestick (white or
lower, then it trades higher, but closes near its open, therefore black) with a small body, long upper shadow and small or
looking like an inverted lollipop. nonexistent lower shadow. The size of the upper shadow
should be a least twice the length of the body and the
high/low range should be relatively large. Large is a relative
term and the high/low range should be large relative to the
range over the last 10-20 days.
For a candlestick to be in star position, it must gap way from
the previous candlestick.
A gap up would definitely enhance the robustness of a
shooting star, but the essence of the reversal should not be
lost without the gap.
Three White Soldiers Three Black Crows
A bullish reversal pattern consisting of three consecutive white A bearish reversal pattern consisting of three consecutive
bodies, each with a higher close. Each should open within the black bodies where each day closes near below the previous
previous body and the close should be near the high of the day. low, and opens within the body of the previous day.
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Upside Tasuki Gap Downside Tasuki Gap
A continuation pattern with a long white body followed by another A continuation pattern with a long black body followed by
white body that has gapped above the first one. The third day is another black body that has gapped below the first one. The
black and opens within the body of the second day, then closes in third day is white and opens within the body of the second
the gap between the first two days, but does not close the gap. day, then closes in the gap between the first two days, but
does not close the gap.
Rising Three Methods Falling Three Methods
A bullish continuation pattern. A long white body is followed by A bearish continuation pattern. A long black body is followed
three small body days, each fully contained within the range of the by three small body days, each fully contained within the
high and low of the first day. The fifth day closes at a new high. range of the high and low of the first day. The fifth day closes
at a new low.
Stick Sandwich Upside Gap Two Crows
A bullish reversal pattern with two black bodies surrounding a A three day bearish pattern that only happens in an uptrend.
white body. The closing prices of the two black bodies must be The first day is a long white body, followed by a gapped
equal. A support prices is apparent and the opportunity for prices open with the small black body remaining gapped above the
to reverse is quite good. first day. The third day is also a black day whose body is
larger than the second day and engulfs it. The close of the
last day is still above the first long white day.

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