If you are a newcomer in the stock market world, there is a high probability you have come across the term candlestick patterns. They are one of the most powerful tools in understanding the direction of market trends and making the right trade. This article will break down the fundamental concepts in candlestick patterns and attempt to highlight the most useful ones for beginners.
What are Candlestick Patterns?
Candlestick patterns are a graphical representation of price action with respect to time in the stock market. Candlesticks depict the opening, closing, highest and lowest prices of a stock over a given period of time (5 minutes, 1 hour, 1 day, etc.)
The body of the candle reveals the gap between the opening and closing prices. The wick or otherwise known as shadow reflects the highest and lowest prices during that time.
Bullish (Green or White Candle): Price went up.
Bearish (Red or Black Candle): Price went down.
Traders can estimate the target price through these patterns with respect to their historical data.
How Are Candlestick Patterns Significant?
Investors and traders apply candlestick patterns in order to:
Recognise opportunities for buying and selling
Determine emerging market trends
Analyse the behaviour of investors
Assist with more informed entry and exit decisions
Due to their versatility, candlestick patterns are reliable for any time interval, serving the needs of day traders, swing traders, and long-term investors alike.
Most 7 Popular Basic Candlestick Patterns for Novices
1. Doji
Market uncertainty
A price range where the opening and closing prices are almost identical
An indication of reversal momentum.
2. Hammer
It has a long lower wick and a small body
Occurs at the end of a downward pattern
Considered a bullish reversal indication.
3. Shooting Star
Shows a small body and a long upper wick and is formed at the top of a price increase
Represents a bearish reversal.
4. Bullish Engulfing
A large green candle follows a small red candle
The second green candle engulfs the preceding red candle
Signifies strong bullish movement
5. Bearish Engulfing
Follows a small green candle with a large red candle
Which signals a bearish reversal.
6. Morning Star
A candlestick pattern made of three candles
Shifts the market from a downward trend into an upward trend.
7. Evening Star
Signals a reversal of the downtrend after preceding bullish candles.
How to Effectively Utilise These Candlestick Patterns
Using only patterns will not yield better results. Incorporate them with technical indicators like RSI, Moving Averages or Volume.
Examine the movement of the price. Patterns yield better results in conjunction with a price movement direction.
It's best to trade using a demo account before tackling other accounts. Learn how to use the strategies through virtual trade before dealing with actual currency. Conclusion
Candlestick patterns are very critical for professionals engaged in stock trading. Learning to interpret these patterns can increase efficiency while lowering the associated risks. It would be best to start with the beginner patterns such as the hammer or doji, then move on to more advanced patterns

