Before learning pattern names, learn to read the shapes. That skill never goes out of date.
Long bodies
Strong pressure in one direction. A long green body after a long red streak can mean buyers are finally waking up.
Short bodies
Little movement between open and close. The market is pausing or undecided.
Long wicks
- Long upper wick: price went up, got rejected. Sellers showed up.
- Long lower wick: price went down, got bought. Buyers showed up.
Wick says
Wicks are footprints of failed attempts. The longer the wick, the more embarrassing the failure for whoever tried.
Pro tip
Context changes everything. A long lower wick at a major support level is gold. The same wick in the middle of nowhere is just noise.
Key takeaways
- Body size shows strength; wick length shows rejection.
- Long upper wicks = selling pressure; long lower wicks = buying pressure.
- Shapes matter most at key levels.