Single Candlestick

The following are single candlestick formations that can signal possible bearish or bullish scenarios in the succeeding day(s) ahead. Individual candlesticks work best when paired with a confirmation candlestick on the next day to increase the chances of getting the technical analysis right. These work well on various time frames from daily to yearly charts.

Reminder: Candlesticks serve as guidelines. They are not rigid rules such that if a bullish candlestick appears, then it would be certain that the stock would go up the next day. Characteristics of candlesticks vary as well. For example, a hammer candlestick with a considerably long shadow, but not as long as it should be can still be considered as a hammer formation.

individualcandlesticks2

Hammer

Hammer
  • Appears in a downtrend
  • Must have small real bodies and long lower shadow ( as much as possible shadow is twice the height of real body)
  • Real body can either be white or black.
  • More bullish if the real body is white than black
  • More bullish if the lower shadow is very long
  • Effect: Signals a stop in a downtrend.

Hanging Man

Hanging Man
  • Appears in an uptrend
  • Must have small real bodies and long lower shadow ( as much as possible shadow is twice the height of real body)
  • Real body can either be white or black.
  • More bearish if the real body is black than white
  • More bearish if the lower shadow is very long
  • Effect: Signals a lull or peak in an uptrend.

Inverted Hammer

Inverted Hammer
  • Appears in a downtrend
  • Must have small real bodies and longer upper shadow
  • Real body can be black or white
  • More bullish if the real body is white than black
  • Effect: Signals a bottom.

Shooting Star

Shooting Star
  • Appears in an uptrend
  • Must have small real bodies and longer upper shadow
  • Real body can be black or white
  • More bearish if the real body is black than white
  • Effect: Signals a peak.

Doji Star

Doji Star
  • Appears either in a downtrend or uptrend
  • Must have a very tiny or no real body at all
  • Has small shadows on either end of the body
  • A bullish or bearish candlestick on the succeeding day can confirm a potential reversal
  • Effect: Signals a potential major reversal.

Long-Legged Doji

Long-Legged Doji
  • Appears on downtrends or uptrends
  • Also known as the Rickshaw Man candlestick
  • It shows indecisiveness in the market
  • Highly dependent on the next candlestick, whether it would have a bullish or bearish rally
  • Effect: Signals neutrality in the market.

Dragonfly Doji

Dragonfly Doji
  • Appears either in a downtrend or uptrend
  • Must have a very tiny or no real body at all and very long lower shadow
  • A bullish or bearish candlestick on the succeeding day can confirm a potential reversal
  • Effect: Signals a potential major reversal from a downtrend or uptrend.

Gravestone Doji

Gravestone Doji
  • Appears either in a downtrend or uptrend
  • Must have a very tiny or no real body at all and very long upper shadow
  • A bullish or bearish candlestick on the succeeding day can confirm a potential reversal
  • Effect: Signals a potential major reversal from an uptrend or downtrend.