Single Candlestick Analysis
Single
candlesticks are the easiest candlesticks to analyze because we have to look
for only one candlestick in a chart.
Below,
we’ll name the several different types of single candlestick indicators, and
how you can analyze them for trading success.
Be
sure to bookmark this page (and the following candlestick analysis pages) for
easy reference. Knowledge is power when it comes to analyzing the foreign
exchange markets!
Spinning
Tops
Spinning tops are the
easiest to recognize of all candlesticks. A spinning top has a small body of
movement. Note that with a spinning top, the size of the wicks or shadows does
not matter for analyzing a chart.
A
spinning top is a neutral indicator, however, it may mark a point of strong
support or resistance as the open and closing price for a particular timeframe
are very close.
Doji
There
are four types of doji candlesticks: doji, dragonfly doji, gravestone doji, and
long-legged doji.
The
basic doji appears when the opening and closing price for a given timeframe are
the same. The price moved up and down during the period, but the currency pair
failed to keep any of its gains or losses at market close. A doji marks
indecision in the market.
A
dragonfly doji is shaped like a dragonfly with a longer bottom shadow, and an
equal open and closing price. The dragonfly doji shows that a reversal may soon
come in a currency pair’s trend, especially after large up or down trends.
Gravestone
doji appear when after the currency pair advances during a trading period, but
closes at a price equal to the open price. This is a bearish indicator, as the
price rose before finding strong resistance. The strength of the bearish
indication is affected by the upper shadow—the longer the shadow, the more
bearish the signal.
Long
legged doji are formed when the currency pair moves wildly during a trading
period, but closes at the same price as it opened. This doji marks indecision
in the market, and may indicate a reversal which can be confirmed with other
indicators.
Hammers
There
are two different hammers: a normal hammer candlestick, and an inverted hammer.
A normal hammer is made
up of a small real body, bullish or bearish. Beneath this body is the handle of
the hammer, a shadow that makes the candlestick look like its namesake. After a
significant downtrend, the normal hammer is a bullish indicator. If it appears
after an uptrend, it is known as a “hanging man.”
The
inverted hammer is the opposite of a normal hammer candlestick pattern. The
inverted hammer forms when the price moves up or down from the open price, and
leaves a long shadow above the body. The inverted hammer marks a bottom
reversal, and a developing bullish trend.
Single
candlesticks
It
is important to remember the single candlesticks because they also appear in
later double and triple candlestick patterns. Take some time to study the
single candlesticks, and see if you can spot them in a chart.
Now
that you have the basic candlesticks out of the way, let’s proceed to the
double candlestick patterns. Pay special attention here, as you’ll see single
candlesticks that appear in a double candlestick pattern.