Single Candlestick Patterns — Learning Guide
Beginner-friendly • 6 patterns • 2 visual examples for every pattern
How to read a candle
Open: where price started. Close: where it ended. High/Low: highest and lowest traded price. The thick part is
the body; thin lines are wicks/shadows.
Golden rule: A candle pattern is a probability clue, not a guaranteed prediction. Always consider trend,
support/resistance, volume and confirmation.
1. Doji
Shape: Open and Close are almost the same. The body is very small; wicks can vary.
Meaning: Market indecision. Doji is not automatically a Buy/Sell signal.
Confirmation: Check trend, key levels and the next candle for confirmation.
1. Doji
Example 1 Example 2
Strong move → Doji • Wait for confirmation
Example 1: The pattern appears in the stated market context. Wait for the confirmation instead of entering immediately.
Example 2: The same candle shape can behave differently when its surrounding trend or price level changes. Context gives the
candle meaning.
2. Hammer
Shape: Small body near the top with a long lower wick. Usually appears after a decline.
Meaning: Sellers pushed price down, but buyers rejected lower prices. Possible bullish reversal.
Confirmation: Prefer confirmation when the next candle breaks/closes above the Hammer high.
2. Hammer
Example 1 Example 2
Downtrend → Hammer • Possible bullish reversal
Example 1: The pattern appears in the stated market context. Wait for the confirmation instead of entering immediately.
Example 2: The same candle shape can behave differently when its surrounding trend or price level changes. Context gives the
candle meaning.
3. Inverted Hammer
Shape: Small body with a long upper wick. Usually appears after a decline.
Meaning: Buyers attempted to push price higher. It becomes stronger with confirmation.
Confirmation: Look for the next candle to move above the Inverted Hammer high.
3. Inverted Hammer
Example 1 Example 2
Downtrend → Inverted Hammer • Possible bullish reversal
Example 1: The pattern appears in the stated market context. Wait for the confirmation instead of entering immediately.
Example 2: The same candle shape can behave differently when its surrounding trend or price level changes. Context gives the
candle meaning.
4. Hanging Man
Shape: Hammer-like shape, but it appears after an advance.
Meaning: Shows selling pressure during an uptrend. It is a warning, not a guarantee.
Confirmation: Bearish confirmation can be a break/close below its low.
4. Hanging Man
Example 1 Example 2
Uptrend → Hanging Man • Possible bearish warning
Example 1: The pattern appears in the stated market context. Wait for the confirmation instead of entering immediately.
Example 2: The same candle shape can behave differently when its surrounding trend or price level changes. Context gives the
candle meaning.
5. Shooting Star
Shape: Small body near the lower part with a long upper wick. Usually appears after an advance.
Meaning: Buyers pushed price up, but sellers rejected higher prices. Possible bearish reversal.
Confirmation: Look for the next candle to close/break below the Shooting Star low.
5. Shooting Star
Example 1 Example 2
Uptrend → Shooting Star • Possible bearish reversal
Example 1: The pattern appears in the stated market context. Wait for the confirmation instead of entering immediately.
Example 2: The same candle shape can behave differently when its surrounding trend or price level changes. Context gives the
candle meaning.
6. Bullish Marubozu
Shape: Large bullish body with little or no upper/lower wick.
Meaning: Strong buying control from open toward close; shows bullish momentum.
Confirmation: Use with trend, breakout and volume context; avoid blindly chasing a large candle.
6. Bullish Marubozu
Example 1 Example 2
Strong buying → Marubozu • Bullish momentum
Example 1: The pattern appears in the stated market context. Wait for the confirmation instead of entering immediately.
Example 2: The same candle shape can behave differently when its surrounding trend or price level changes. Context gives the
candle meaning.
Quick Revision Sheet
Pattern Typical context Main idea Confirmation
Doji Any trend / key level Indecision Next candle
Hammer After decline Bullish reversal possibility Above high
Inverted Hammer After decline Bullish reversal possibility Above high
Hanging Man After advance Bearish warning Below low
Shooting Star After advance Bearish reversal possibility Below low
Bullish Marubozu Bullish move/breakout Strong buying momentum Context + volume
Practice: Find 10 real chart examples of each pattern. Mark the prior trend, candle high/low, confirmation candle and what happened
next. This guide is educational, not financial advice.