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Japanese Candlesticks

Japanese Candlestick Cheat Sheet

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Wait—Did You Click Here First?

If this is your first stop, hit the brakes!
Head back to the first lesson on Japanese candlesticks before continuing—this page is meant as a quick reference, not a starting point.

But if you've already gone through all the lessons… congrats! 🎉
Below is your one-page cheat sheet covering single, dual, and triple Japanese candlestick patterns.

Bookmark this page for easy access whenever you're analyzing charts or placing trades.


🕯️ Candlestick Anatomy

  • Body (Real Body): Represents the range between the opening and closing prices.

  • Color:

    • White / Green: Close is higher than open (bullish).

    • Black / Red: Close is lower than open (bearish).

  • Wicks (Shadows): Indicate the highest and lowest price points reached during the time period.


📌 Candlestick Patterns Cheat Sheet

🔹 Single Candlestick Patterns

Pattern Bullish / Bearish Visual Cue Description Signal
Spinning Top Neutral Small real body, long wicks Market indecision Possible reversal or pause
Doji Neutral Body nearly flat (open ≈ close) Uncertainty, tug-of-war between buyers and sellers Reversal potential
White Marubozu Bullish Long body, no shadows Strong buying pressure Bullish continuation or reversal
Black Marubozu Bearish Long body, no shadows Strong selling pressure Bearish continuation or reversal
Hammer Bullish Small body at top, long lower wick Appears in downtrend Bullish reversal potential
Hanging Man Bearish Same as Hammer but appears in uptrend Sellers are stepping in Bearish reversal potential
Inverted Hammer Bullish Small body at bottom, long upper wick Appears in downtrend Bullish reversal potential
Shooting Star Bearish Small body at bottom, long upper wick Appears in uptrend Bearish reversal potential

🔸 Double Candlestick Patterns

Pattern Bullish / Bearish Visual Cue Description Signal
Bullish Engulfing Bullish Large bullish candle engulfs smaller bearish candle Buyers taking control Bullish reversal
Bearish Engulfing Bearish Large bearish candle engulfs smaller bullish candle Sellers overpower buyers Bearish reversal
Tweezer Tops Bearish Matching highs on two candles Rejection at resistance Bearish reversal
Tweezer Bottoms Bullish Matching lows on two candles Rejection at support Bullish reversal

🔺 Triple Candlestick Patterns

Pattern Bullish / Bearish Visual Cue Description Signal
Morning Star Bullish Bearish candle → small candle → bullish candle Appears after downtrend Bullish reversal
Evening Star Bearish Bullish candle → small candle → bearish candle Appears after uptrend Bearish reversal
Three White Soldiers Bullish Three strong bullish candles Momentum shift after downtrend Bullish continuation
Three Black Crows Bearish Three strong bearish candles Momentum shift after uptrend Bearish continuation
Three Inside Up Bullish Bearish → bullish (within previous body) → bullish close above first candle Appears at bottom of trend Bullish reversal
Three Inside Down Bearish Bullish → bearish (within previous body) → bearish close below first candle Appears at top of trend Bearish reversal

✔️ Final Tip

Use this cheat sheet as a quick reference tool when scanning charts. While candlestick patterns are powerful on their own, they become even more reliable when used alongside other indicators or support/resistance zones.

Knowledge Check

1. A 'doji' candlestick forms when which condition is met?