Table of contents
Amidst the vast lexicon of candles, there’s one pattern that stands out, evoking intrigue and excitement – the Doji candle.
Whether you’re new to the financial market scene or just curious about this captivating candlestick, you’ve landed in the right place. We’re about to dive deep into the world of the doji candlestick pattern.
Understanding the Doji candle pattern
Doji candles are a basic candlestick pattern that symbolises a session where neither the buyers nor the sellers gain the upper hand, leading to a near-identical opening and closing price for that specific period.
In essence, a doji candle reveals a market scenario where both parties have fought a battle but reached a stalemate, effectively saying, “This round is a draw!”
Doji candlestick types
- Classic Doji: This is the purest form of the Doji candlestick. Here, the opening and closing prices are the same. The wicks (lines above and below the candle body) can be long or short, suggesting the price range during that period.
- Long-legged Doji: Imagine a doji that went on an adventure, exploring both the highs and lows of the market. That’s the long-legged Doji for you. It has longer wicks, indicating a wider trading range and greater indecision among traders.
- Dragonfly and gravestone Doji: Both these doji candlestick types are special. The dragonfly has a long lower wick and no upper wick, indicating sellers pushed the prices down, but buyers managed to pull it back up to the opening price.
On the other hand, the gravestone doji is the opposite. It showcases a session where buyers took the price up, but sellers came back with a vengeance, bringing it back to where it started.
The significance of the Doji pattern
Doji patterns signal indecision. But it’s this very indecision that makes the doji a potentially powerful indicator.
- Reversal signal: Often, when a trend has been running for a while, be it upwards or downwards, a doji can indicate a potential change in direction. It’s like the calm before a storm.
- Continuation signal: Sometimes, the doji simply means a brief pause instead of signalling a reversal. The trend may continue in the same direction after this short break.
Remember, while the doji pattern can be a critical indicator, it’s always best used in conjunction with other tools and methods.
Reading the Doji in different market scenarios
Interpreting the Doji candlestick pattern
| Market Situation | Appearance of Doji | Potential Interpretation |
| Uptrend | Classic Doji | Possible trend reversal. The market might indicate a downturn or a brief period of consolidation before continuing upwards. |
| Downtrend | Dragonfly Doji | Strong reversal signal upwards. Sellers tried to dominate, but buyers made a comeback. |
| Uptrend | Gravestone Doji | Potential bearish reversal. The buyers tried to push the market higher, but the sellers pulled it back down, indicating their strength. |
| Sideways Market | Long-legged Doji | Strong indecision. The market is undecided on which direction to take, suggesting a significant move might be on the horizon once a decision is made. |
Bringing other factors into play
Although the Doji candlestick types can be reliable indicators of market sentiment, they’re most potent when combined with other technical factors. These can be other candlestick patterns, technical indicators, or even just support and resistance areas.
- Volume: Volume is a great companion to the doji pattern. A doji with a significantly high trading volume can indicate a strong sentiment for a potential reversal or continuation.
- Support and resistance: A doji can offer even more valuable insight if it forms near known support or resistance levels. For instance, a dragonfly doji near a support level in a downtrend could be a strong bullish reversal signal.
Busting a common myth about doji candlestick pattern
Many beginners believe that every doji they spot is a sign of a market reversal. This isn’t always the case. Sometimes, a doji merely indicates a pause in the ongoing trend, after which the trend resumes. It is thus vital to consider the broader context.
Final words
The doji candle, with its many avatars, holds a mirror to the market’s soul. It tells tales of battles between bulls and bears, of days when neither side could claim victory.
As you begin or continue your trading journey, let the doji be a reminder. It is a reminder that the market, like life, has moments of certainty and indecision. And it’s in understanding these subtle cues that you can truly become a master of the game. Happy trading!
FAQs
A doji is considered a neutral pattern that signifies indecision in the market. It is characterised by its ‘cross’ shape, where the opening and closing prices are virtually equal. While it is not inherently bullish or bearish, its significance is derived from the context in which it appears on the chart. For instance, a doji that forms after a prolonged uptrend may suggest that buyers are losing control and a bearish reversal could be imminent.
A doji can signal a potential trend reversal but it is not a definitive indicator on its own. It often represents a moment of equilibrium where the forces of supply and demand are balanced. Analysts look for confirmation from subsequent candles or additional technical indicators before considering it a reversal signal. The presence of a doji after a strong trend is what may indicate a possible change in direction.
If a doji appears during an uptrend or downtrend, it may signal a reversal, prompting traders to prepare for a change in position. However, it’s crucial to wait for subsequent candles to confirm the reversal. A common approach is to place a stop loss at 50% of the range of the three candles forming the doji pattern, with the target being the same length of the move as the three candles.
Reading a candle chart involves understanding the four main components of a candlestick: the opening price, closing price, high, and low. The body of the candlestick shows the range between the opening and closing prices, while the wicks or shadows indicate the high and low. The colour of the candlestick body indicates whether the closing price was higher (usually green or white) or lower (usually red or black) than the opening price.
The 3 candle rule is a trading strategy that looks at the patterns formed by three consecutive candles. According to this rule, a trader should consider taking action based on the pattern of the last three candles. If three bullish candles form consecutively, it suggests that upward momentum is building, and vice versa for bearish candles. The strategy often involves setting a stop loss at half the range of the three candles and targeting a move equal to the range of these candles.