Thu Mar 12 2026

In Chapter 8 – Part 1 🔗https://tradetogether.in/articles/how-to-read-candlestick-charts-beginners-bullish-bearish , we introduced the basic structure of candlestick charts and learned how each candle represents open, high, low, and close prices during a specific timeframe.
Now we move one step further.
Different candles appear in the market depending on how buyers and sellers interact during a trading session. These candles are called candlestick types, and each one reflects a specific type of market behavior.
Understanding these candles helps traders observe:
However, it is important to remember that a single candle does not guarantee future price movement. Professional traders usually combine candle analysis with market structure, support and resistance levels, and liquidity conditions.
For example, earlier in Chapter 4 we discussed how the forex market is decentralized and driven by liquidity 🔗https://tradetogether.in/articles/centralized-vs-decentralized-forex-market-structure, which is why price behavior often reflects the interaction between large market participants and retail traders.
In this chapter, we will explore several commonly observed candle types used in price action analysis.
In financial markets, candles can form in different shapes depending on how price moved during that period. Some commonly observed candle types include:
Each of these candles reflects a different balance between buyers and sellers.
By observing candle structure, traders can better understand market psychology, which is a key component of technical analysis.
A Marubozu candle is a candlestick that has little or no shadows (wicks) on either side of the body.
This means the price moved strongly in one direction during the entire period without much opposition.

When a Marubozu forms:
This structure suggests strong directional momentum in the market.
A Marubozu candle may indicate:
However, experienced traders confirm this observation using:
This is important because volatility and liquidity shifts can sometimes produce strong candles without indicating a long-term trend change.
A Doji candle forms when the opening and closing prices are very close to each other.
This creates a candle with a very small body and longer shadows.

During the time period:
This indicates indecision in the market.
A Doji candle often suggests:
Doji candles frequently appear near important support or resistance zones, where traders are deciding whether the market will continue moving or reverse.
A Spinning Top candle has:

This candle shows that both buyers and sellers were active, but neither side gained clear control.
The price moves up and down during the period but eventually closes near the middle of the range.
A spinning top often indicates:
Traders sometimes observe spinning tops during trend slowdowns or before major economic announcements, when market participants wait for new information.
The Paper Umbrella candle has a long lower shadow and a small body near the top of the candle.

During the trading period:
This shows that buying pressure appeared after selling pressure.
When this candle appears at the bottom of a downtrend, it may suggest:
This structure reflects the presence of demand in the market.
If a similar candle appears during an uptrend, it may simply reflect temporary volatility rather than a reversal.
Traders usually wait for additional confirmation before interpreting the candle as a signal of trend change.

Professional traders combine this candle with:
These factors help determine whether the candle reflects real buying pressure or temporary liquidity movement.
A Shooting Star candle has a long upper shadow and a small body near the bottom of the candle.

During the trading period:
This indicates that selling pressure appeared after a price rise.
When a shooting star appears at the top of an uptrend, it may indicate:
This candle is often observed near resistance levels or liquidity zones.
If the same structure appears during a downtrend, it may simply reflect short-term volatility rather than a clear reversal signal.

Traders combine shooting star candles with:
As explained earlier in Chapter 3 when discussing how traders enter the forex market, risk management and position sizing are essential because no single candle guarantees a market move 🔗https://tradetogether.in/articles/start-forex-trading-safely-beginners-demo-real-funded .
| Candle Type | Market Behavior | Key Structure |
|---|---|---|
| Marubozu | Strong directional momentum from buyers or sellers | Large body with little or no upper and lower wicks |
| Doji | Market indecision where buyers and sellers are balanced | Very small body with long upper and lower shadows |
| Spinning Top | Temporary balance between buyers and sellers during the session | Small body with both upper and lower wicks |
| Paper Umbrella | Buyers push price upward after strong selling pressure | Small body near the top with a long lower shadow |
| Shooting Star | Sellers push price downward after strong buying pressure | Small body near the bottom with a long upper shadow |
Candlestick types are useful because they help traders understand market psychology and price behavior. However, professional trading decisions are rarely based on a single candle alone.
Traders usually combine candlestick analysis with:
For example, many traders limit risk by using proper position sizing and stop-loss protection, ensuring that a single market move does not significantly affect their trading capital.
A Doji candle usually indicates market indecision, where buyers and sellers are equally balanced during the period.
A Marubozu candle often shows strong momentum, but traders confirm it using trend analysis and support/resistance levels.
No. Candles provide information about market behavior, but reliable analysis requires multiple confirmations.
Yes. Candlestick analysis is widely used in forex, stock markets, cryptocurrency markets, and commodities.
Candlestick types provide valuable insight into how buyers and sellers interact in the market.
By studying candle structure, traders begin to understand market sentiment, volatility, and price behavior.
However, successful trading requires combining candlestick analysis with risk management, market structure understanding, and broader market context.

Written by
Trade Together Research is a professional market analysis team focused on forex, gold, and crypto markets. Learn more about our research team on the About page.