Bearish Reversal Candlestick Patterns

Bearish Japanese Candlestick reversal patterns are displayed below from strongest to weakest. Reversals are patterns that tend to resolve in the opposite direction to the prevailing trend, with bearish:

• Bullish reversals are likely to resolve in an up-trend.
• Bearish reversals are likely to resolve in a down-trend.

Candlestick pattern strength is described as either strong, reliable, or weak.

• Strong candlestick patterns are at least 3 times as likely to resolve in the indicated direction.
• Reliable patterns at least 2 times as likely.
• Weak patterns are (only) at least 1.5 times as likely to resolve in the indicated direction, meaning that 2 out of 5 patterns are likely to fail.

Three Black Crows

Strong bearish reversal in an uptrend

Three falling tall black candles, with partial overlap (between the candlestick bodies) and each close near the low.

Identical Three Crows

Strong bearish reversal in an uptrend

Three identical falling black candles with no overlap (between the bodies) and each close near the low.

Evening Star

Strong bearish reversal in an uptrend

Tall white candle followed by a higher small candle, either filled or unfilled, with a gap between the two bodies. Then a gap down leads to a third, tall black candle that closes below mid-point on the body of the first candle.

Three Line Strike

Strong bearish reversal in an uptrend

Three rising white candles, with higher closes, followed by a tall black candle that opens above (or equal to) the preceding close and closes below the bodies of the preceding three candles.

Evening Doji Star

Reliable bearish reversal in an uptrend

Tall white candle gaps up to a higher Doji candle (where the open and close are nearly equal). The shadows may overlap but there should be a gap between the two bodies. Then a gap down to the body of a third, black candle that closes below the mid-point on the body of the first candle.

Three Outside Down

Reliable bearish reversal in an uptrend

White candle 'engulfed' by a taller black candle that opens above the preceding body and closes below it. A third candle is black and closes below the previous two candles.

Engulfing

Reliable bearish reversal in an uptrend

White candle followed by a taller black body that opens above the preceding body and closes below it.

Belt Hold

Reliable bearish reversal in an uptrend

Tall black candle where the open gaps up from the previous close but is the high for the day. There is no upper shadow and the close is near the low.

Abandoned Baby

Reliable bearish reversal in an uptrend

A tall white candle followed by a higher Doji candle with a gap between the two bodies. Then a long black candle that opens below the body of the second candle.

Three Inside Down

Weak bearish reversal in an uptrend

Harami pattern (a tall white candle followed by a smaller black candle where the body is enclosed within the body of the first candle). The third candle is black and closes below the body of the first candle.

Dark Cloud Cover

Weak bearish reversal in an uptrend

A tall white candle followed by a tall black candle that closes below the mid-point on the first candle.

Breakaway

Weak bearish reversal in an uptrend

A tall white candle gaps up to a shorter white candle. This is followed by two shorter candles, either filled or unfilled, each with a higher close. The fifth candle is tall and black and closes below the lows (shadows) of the preceding 3 candles.

Upside Gap Three Methods

Weak bearish reversal in an uptrend

A tall white candle gaps up to a second white candle but the shadows may overlap. The third candle is tall and black and closes within the body of the first candle.

Shooting Star

Weak bearish reversal in an uptrend

A short candle with the body, filled or unfilled, at the bottom of the trading range. The candle has a tall upper shadow, at least twice the height of the body, signaling resistance. In a downtrend this candle is called an inverted hammer.