Single Candle Patterns

Have you ever looked at a chart and noticed a single candlestick that is somewhat separated or standing out from the rest of the candlesticks? That single shape can tell you a lot. It is not just an "x" or "o" on a chart; it can indicate momentum, indecision, or a potential shift. This article will provide you with that information. So buckle up, and I will help show you how one single candlestick can help you make trading decisions with more confidence and clarity.

What Are Single Candle Patterns?

Single candle patterns are simple, solo candlestick(s) that, by themselves, provide indications that a shift in the market may occur. Having an understanding of single candles alone will allow you to recognize single candles without waiting for a multi-bar count. Single candles are easy, quick to spot, short, simple, and single.

The Anatomy of Some One Candle Patterns

Before we get into patterns, we need to revisit the anatomy of a candle:

•  Body: the distance from open to close

•  Wick (Shadow)-the hairlines extending above or below the body indicating the high/low of the candle

Once you understand a candle's anatomy, it becomes clear how each candle conveys its unique message through a combination of factors such as body size, wick length, and placement.

Marubozu:  Pure Momentum

A Marubozu candle has no upper or lower shadows. Marubozu candles (and there are two types) are considered bullish if they open low and close high. If it opens high and closes low, it is bearish. This simple, or rather bold, structure is an indication of strong intent and firm conviction that either buyers or sellers had complete control during that session. 5—Doji Variations: The Language of Uncertainty.

The defining characteristic of Doji candlesticks is that the open and close prices are virtually the same or so close that they form a very small or non-existent body. They indicate indecision. The variations include:

Standard Doji: Complete balance - indecision wins.

Dragonfly Doji: Long lower shadow, no upper - buyers pushed back after massive selling pressure.

Gravestone Doji: Long upper shadow, no lower - selling pressure won out after a move up.

Depending on the "doji" pattern - whether it occurs at market tops, bottoms, or key levels - they may suggest a change in momentum.

Spinning Top: Fleeting Balance in Motion

A Spinning Top candlestick will feature a small body with two distinguishable wicks. It indicates that both buyers and sellers were present during the period, but neither took charge/ownership. They often appear when the market is getting ready to pause and consider what just happened.

Hammer and Hanging Man: Twins, Opposites, Context

These twins are virtually identical—small body with a long lower wick. Context is everything and will determine if you have (1) a Hammer or (2) a Hanging Man:

Hammer: occurs after a down move; could signal a potential bullish reversal.

Hanging Man: occurs after an up move; preps for potential bearish pressure.

Always verify these candlestick patterns with support/resistance context or volume to increase their reliability.

Shooting Star & Inverted Hammer: Reflections of a Reversal

These mirror patterns are warning signs in and of themselves:

Shooting Star: characterized by a long upper wick and petite body, it typically forms at the top of the market, indicating you may have found the top.• Inverted Hammer: Same shape—but follows a downtrend; buyers made a brief trip higher.

The same mirror—not the same meaning based on location on the graph.

Morning Star and Evening Doji Star: A Solo Climb in Structure

Even though named similarly to multi-bar structures, a unique Morning Star Doji or Evening Star Doji is a structure that can resolve itself to a single candle, when that middle bar is a Doji with other candles tightly on either side. Even in isolation, when that Doji appears, it is still technically a single candle pattern—so being familiar with the shortcut to identifying its isolation pattern as a single candle is useful.

Putting Anatomy to Use: Signaling the Market's Mood

 Here, being mindful of signs of groups of signs using the one-candle signals:

•  Where you see the candle matters: A hammer following a downtrend means something different from being in the midrange.

•  It's always nice to have confirmation: Look for the follow-up price action or follow-up volume to confirm the omen signal.

•  Don't overvalue a single candle: One candle does not a trend establish—but it can give you a hint of what is on the way.

Avoid Pitfalls

Recognizing a single candle pattern is only half the struggle. Pitfalls to watch out for as a beginner are:

•  Recognizing signals in context: A dragonfly doji in the middle of a strong directional trend is background noise. Nothing but noise.

•  Relying on a single candle: With context, you can get an idea, but unless it is confirmed, it is just a reference hint—not a sentence.

•  Forgetting which way the trend is: Candlesticks reflect the sentiment of human beings, but do not overwrite directional momentum.

Tips for Success

•  Practice: Past chart studies to gain fluency if you want to be good.

•  Use ALL the tools: Use trend lines or indicators to assess the signal.

•  Believe the Setup or the Situation, not the candle: Use the single patterns as an element in the broader strategy, not the only strategy.

Conclusion

Single candle patterns appear intuitive yet are exceptionally revealing. A Marubozu tells you when the price is convinced. A Doji whispers a reflection. A hammer asks for a second opinion before the ritual. Think of any candle as a clue to a book, not a chapter.

The next time you open a chart, notice that one candle. Not just the single color, to uncover intent, hesitation, and direction. The opportunity here is to master the solo structures, where you can build a stronger, flexible trading viewpoint.