Lesson 34: How to Read Forex Candlestick Formation


Forex candlestick charts show the open, high, low, and closing prices of currency pairs for a given period. They are used by traders to determine potential market direction. There are three main elements to a candlestick: the body, which represents the traded price range; the shadow, which represents the highs and lows; and the wick, which represents the opening and closing prices. The color of the candlestick body can also provide information about market direction. For instance, a white (or green) body indicates that prices closed higher than they opened, while a black (or red) body indicates that prices closed lower than they opened. Candlesticks can be used alone or in combination with other technical indicators to help identify potential market opportunities.

Forex candlestick formations are a popular technical analysis tool and there are several different bullish patterns that can be used to identify potential upward price movements. The three most common candlestick patterns are the hammer, the Engulfing Candles, and the Morning Star. 

Hammer Candlestick

A hammer is a type of candlestick pattern that is used to predict the reversal of a downward trend. It is characterized by a small body with a long lower shadow. The upper shadow is typically small or non-existent. The color of the body does not matter, but it is often black or red. 

The name “hammer” comes from the shape of the candlestick, which looks like a hammer head. This pattern is also sometimes called a “hanging man.” 

Hammer candlesticks can be found at the bottom of downtrends and signal that the trend may be reversing. They are often found after a period of price consolidation. 

The long lower shadow shows that there was significant selling pressure during the period, but the buyers were able to push the price back up near the open. This is a bullish sign. 

The key thing to look for with this pattern is the location. If it forms after a prolonged downtrend, it may signal a reversal. 

To confirm that the trend is indeed reversing, look for bullish candlestick patterns to form after the hammer. These can include dojis, engulfing patterns, or piercing patterns. 

If you see a hammer pattern forming during an uptrend, however, it may signal a reversal to the downside. In this case, you would look for bearish candlestick patterns to form after the hammer. These can include dark cloud cover, evening star, or shooting star patterns.

Overall, the Hammer is a useful candlestick pattern to watch for if you want to trade reversals. As with all candlestick patterns, however, it is important to confirm the signal with other technical indicators before making a trade. 

Morning Star Candlestick

The morning star candle formation can be a bullish or bearish signal, depending on the circumstances. It is formed by three candles, with the middle candle being the longest. The first candle is a small black body, followed by a long white body. The third candle is a small black body that gaps below the second candle’s close. 

The morning star candle formation is a bullish signal when it forms in a downtrend. It indicates that the selling pressure is weakening and that buyers are beginning to step in. The opposite is true for a bearish morning star, which forms in an uptrend and signals that selling pressure is increasing.

When interpreting the morning star candle formation, it is important to look at the surrounding candles to get a sense of the market’s momentum. A strong bullish morning star may be followed by a few days of consolidation before the uptrend resumes. Conversely, a bearish morning star that is immediately followed by a black candle is a very bearish sign and suggests that the downtrend will continue.

The morning star candle formation can be a useful tool for traders to gauge the market’s direction and make decisions accordingly. However, it is important to remember that no single indicator is perfect, and that other factors should always be considered before making any trading decisions.

The Engulfing Candles

The engulfing candlestick formation is a two candle pattern that can be used to signal a reversal in the market. The first candle in the formation is typically a small candle that is followed by a much larger second candle. The large second candle should “engulf” the body of the first small candle, hence the name of this formation.

The engulfing candlestick formation can be found at the end of downtrends and can signal that the market is ready to start moving higher. This formation can also be found in uptrends, and can signal a potential reversal to the downside. Engulfing candlesticks can also be found within ranges, and can signal a breakout to the upside or downside.

When trading with engulfing candlesticks, it is important to pay attention to the size of the candles, as well as the location of the formation within the overall market trend. Engulfing candlesticks that form in downtrends are typically more reliable than those that form in uptrends. Candlesticks that are larger in size are also typically more reliable than those that are smaller.

If you see any of the above candlestick formation that meets these criteria, it is a good idea to enter into a trade in the direction of the breakout. For example, if you see a large bullish engulfing candlestick forming at the end of a downtrend, you could buy the market in anticipation of an upside move.

Remember, as with all trading strategies, it is important to use proper risk management when trading with engulfing candlesticks. This means setting stop losses and taking profits at predetermined levels. By doing so, you can protect your capital and maximize your profits.

The risk involved with forex trading online shouldn’t be overlooked. There is a chance of losing a significant amount of money if you don’t know what you’re doing. It is crucial to gain a knowledge of the market prior to you even begin investing with money. Keep reading our lessons.