Technical Analysis

Candlestick
Pattern Library

Master the ancient art of Japanese candlestick patterns. Learn to read market psychology through price action and identify high-probability trade setups.

6

Bullish Patterns

10

Bearish Patterns

3

Reversal Signals

4

Crash Indicators

Major Market Crash IndicatorsHigh Alert

The bearish patterns section includes 4 critical patterns that have historically preceded major market crashes and 30-70% declines. These patterns appear on weekly and monthly timeframes and require immediate attention:

Bearish Abandoned Baby - Isolated doji at peak, often drops 40-70%
Engulfing at Resistance - Failed breakouts lead to 30-50% crashes
Rising Wedge Breakdown - Exhaustion pattern, average 50% decline
Death Cross Confirmation - Bear market signal, 40-60% typical drop

Bitcoin Example: These patterns appeared throughout 2021-2022 before the 77% crash from $69K to $15K. Similar patterns preceded the 2018 crash (84% drop), 2013 crash (87% drop), and major stock market crashes in 2000 and 2008.

Bullish Reversal Patterns

These patterns typically appear at the end of downtrends and signal potential upward reversals. Look for these at support levels for highest probability setups.

Hammer
A single candle reversal pattern signaling potential bottom.
high
Inverted Hammer
Similar to hammer but with long upper shadow, indicating buying pressure.
medium
Bullish Engulfing
Two-candle pattern where a large green candle fully engulfs the previous red candle.
high
Morning Star
Three-candle reversal pattern marking a potential trend change.
high
Piercing Pattern
Two-candle bullish reversal where second candle closes above midpoint of first.
medium
Three White Soldiers
Three consecutive long bullish candles with higher closes, strong continuation.
high
Recession & Market Crash Warning SignsCritical Knowledge
Historical patterns that preceded major economic downturns, bear markets, and recessions. These multi-month patterns appear on weekly/monthly charts before catastrophic declines.

Historical Market Crashes & Patterns

2008 Financial Crisis

S&P 500: -57% decline from peak

Patterns: Multiple bearish engulfing candles at resistance throughout 2007-2008. Rising wedge breakdown in Oct 2007. Death cross confirmation Jan 2008. Three black crows pattern appeared multiple times during the decline.

2000 Dot-Com Crash

NASDAQ: -78% decline over 2.5 years

Patterns: Massive shooting stars at March 2000 peak. Evening star formation at 5,000 level. Bearish engulfing patterns throughout the decline. Classic distribution phase with lower highs and lower lows.

2020 COVID Crash

S&P 500: -34% in 33 days (fastest bear market)

Patterns: Dark cloud cover at Feb 2020 highs. Consecutive gap downs (unprecedented). Multiple long red candles with no bounces. Volume spike confirmed distribution. Quick recession lasted only 2 months but was severe.

2022 Bear Market

S&P 500: -25% decline, Tech down 33%

Patterns: Rising wedge failure in Jan 2022. Death cross confirmation. Multiple failed rally attempts (bearish harami patterns). NASDAQ showed evening star at Nov 2021 peak. Near recession but avoided by Federal Reserve action.

Multi-Month Patterns Signaling Recessions

Monthly Chart

Distribution Phase

3-6 months of topping action with multiple small-body candles and long upper shadows. Smart money exits positions.

Volume decreases on rallies
Multiple shooting stars and dojis
Lower highs despite positive news
Divergence from fundamentals
Weekly Chart

Failed Rally Pattern

Multiple attempts to break resistance fail. Each bounce weaker than the last. Classic sign of bear market beginning.

3-4 bearish engulfing patterns
Lower highs forming downtrend
Support levels breaking sequentially
Moving averages turning down
Daily Chart

Volatility Spike Pattern

Large candles with long shadows in both directions. Panic selling followed by relief rallies that fail quickly.

VIX spikes above 30
Gap downs opening below support
Red candles outnumber green 3:1
Intraday swings exceed 3-5%

Bitcoin & Crypto Market Crash Patterns

Cryptocurrency markets exhibit extreme versions of traditional patterns due to 24/7 trading, high leverage, and retail-heavy participation. Understanding these patterns is crucial for managing risk in volatile assets.

📉2021-2022 Bitcoin Crash (-77%)

From $69K (Nov 2021) to $15.5K (Nov 2022)

Q4 2021:Bearish abandoned baby at $69K peak. Island reversal with gap isolation.
Q1 2022:Rising wedge breakdown below $40K. Death cross on weekly chart.
Q2 2022:Luna collapse triggered multiple gap downs. Three black crows pattern.
Q3-Q4 2022:FTX collapse. Final capitulation with massive red candles to $15.5K.

2025 Current Pattern Analysis

Observing for similar warning signs on longer timeframes

⚠️1-Year Chart: Check for distribution patterns and failed breakouts at resistance
⚠️Weekly Chart: Monitor for bearish engulfing at key levels like $100K+
⚠️Moving Averages: Watch for death cross on weekly (50/200 MA)
⚠️Volume Profile: Declining volume on rallies indicates distribution

Protective Action Plan When Patterns Appear

For Long-Term Investors:

Reduce position sizes by 25-50% when 2+ crash patterns appear
Shift to defensive sectors (utilities, consumer staples, healthcare)
Increase cash position to 30-50% for buying opportunities
Consider protective puts on core holdings

For Active Traders:

Open short positions on bearish engulfing confirmation
Buy put options on major indices (SPY, QQQ) with 3-6 month expiry
Scale into positions - don't go all-in immediately
Set profit targets at 20%, 40%, 60% decline levels

⚠️ Important Disclaimer: No pattern guarantees a crash or recession. Markets can remain irrational longer than you can remain solvent. These patterns should be combined with fundamental analysis (unemployment data, Fed policy, corporate earnings, yield curve inversions) and proper risk management. Always maintain stop losses and never risk more than 1-2% of portfolio per trade.

Pro Trading Tips

Volume Confirmation

Patterns are more reliable when accompanied by above-average volume. High volume on reversal candles shows strong conviction from market participants.

Support & Resistance

Candlestick patterns at key support/resistance levels have significantly higher success rates. Always combine with technical levels for best results.

Wait for Confirmation

Don't rush into trades based on a single candle. Wait for the next candle to confirm the pattern direction before entering positions.

Risk Management

Always use stop losses based on pattern structure. For reversal patterns, place stops beyond the pattern's high or low with proper risk/reward ratio.

Practice Makes Perfect

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