Doji

A pattern that is a powerful tool traders use to identify potential trend reversals and gain insights into market sentiment.

Author: Christopher Haynes
Christopher Haynes
Christopher Haynes
Asset Management | Investment Banking

Chris currently works as an investment associate with Ascension Ventures, a strategic healthcare venture fund that invests on behalf of thirteen of the nation's leading health systems with $88 billion in combined operating revenue. Previously, Chris served as an investment analyst with New Holland Capital, a hedge fund-of-funds asset management firm with $20 billion under management, and as an investment banking analyst in SunTrust Robinson Humphrey's Financial Sponsor Group.

Chris graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and earned a Master of Finance (MSF) from the Olin School of Business at Washington University in St. Louis.

Reviewed By: Manu Lakshmanan
Manu Lakshmanan
Manu Lakshmanan
Management Consulting | Strategy & Operations

Prior to accepting a position as the Director of Operations Strategy at DJO Global, Manu was a management consultant with McKinsey & Company in Houston. He served clients, including presenting directly to C-level executives, in digital, strategy, M&A, and operations projects.

Manu holds a PHD in Biomedical Engineering from Duke University and a BA in Physics from Cornell University.

Last Updated:October 31, 2023

What Is a Doji?

The Doji candlestick pattern is one of the most extensively used candlestick patterns in technical analysis. This pattern is powerful tool traders use to identify potential trend reversals and gain insights into market sentiment.

It is a sign of market indecision, with neither the buyers nor the sellers in control. As a result, it often signals a pause in the current trend and a potential reversal.

It represents an unsure market. This candle's body, lower tail, and higher wick are long. It can be found at the peak of upward trends, the bottom of downward trends, or exactly in the center. 

Whether you are a  new trader or an educated one, understanding this pattern and how to trade it can help you form better trading opinions and increase your profitability in fiscal requests.

The name "doji" comes from the Japanese word for "at the same time," which refers to the fact that the opening and closing prices of a doji are typically very close together.

Key Takeaways

  • The Doji candlestick pattern is a widely used tool by traders to identify potential trend reversals and gain insights into market sentiment.
  • It is a sign of market indecision, with neither buyers nor sellers in control, and often signals a pause in the current trend and a potential reversal.
  • It is of four types: Standard, Long-Legged, Dragonfly, and Gravestone, each with its  unique characteristics and implications for the market.
  • Traders should look for confirmation from other technical indicators, such as moving averages and support and resistance levels, when identifying and interpreting these patterns.
  • Understanding the different types of patterns can provide valuable insights into market sentiment and potential trend reversals, helping traders to make more educated trading decisions.

History the Doji-Pattern

This ancient Japanese candlestick pattern has been used for centuries to predict market trends and reversals. Its origins can be traced back to the rice markets of feudal Japan, where traders used candlestick charts to analyze market movements.

The Japanese candlestick charting technique was developed in the 1700s by a Japanese rice trader named Munehisa Homma. 

Homma is credited with developing the first candlestick charting system to analyze the price movements of rice, which was the primary commodity traded in Japan at the time.

Homma's candlestick charting system was based on the observation that rice prices were influenced by emotions such as fear, greed, and hope, which could be seen in the price movements. 

He discovered that certain price movement patterns tended to repeat themselves, and he used these patterns to forecast future price fluctuations. Homma's candlestick charting system was so successful that he became one of the wealthiest traders in Japan at the time.

Note

One of the patterns that Homma observed was the Doji Pattern. It was originally called "ishi-tsuki" in Japanese, which means "stone piercer." This name was given to the pattern because it was believed to pierce the market like a sharp object, revealing the true market sentiment.

This pattern was also considered a sign of balance and harmony in the market. 

Candlestick charting and this pattern moved outside Japan over time and became popular in other regions of the world, including the West. 

In the 1980s, a technical analyst introduced candlestick charting to the West, which helped popularize the technique among Western traders. This pattern is now one of the technical analysis's most popular candlestick patterns.

Types of Doji Patterns

Not all these patterns are created equal. There are four types of doji patterns, each with unique characteristics and market implications.

1. Standard Doji 

It is the most common type of pattern. This pattern shows market indecision, with neither the buyers nor the sellers in control. It often signals a pause in the current trend and a potential reversal.

To identify this pattern, look for a candlestick with a tiny body and a long wick nearly the same length as the body, revealing a standard pattern. Again, the opening and closing prices should be near the same level.

2. Long-Legged Doji 

It is a rare and powerful candlestick pattern. It is a sign of extreme market indecision, with neither the buyers nor the sellers in control. It often signals a major shift in market sentiment and a potential trend reversal.

To identify this pattern, look for a candlestick with a small body and very long wicks on both sides roughly the same length as the body. The opening and closing prices should be near the same level.

3. Dragonfly Doji 

It is a bullish candlestick pattern. This pattern is a sign of a strong reversal potential as it suggests buyers have taken control after an extended sale period.

To identify this pattern, look for a candlestick with a small body and a long lower wick with no upper wick. The opening and closing prices should be near the same level.

4. Gravestone Doji

It is a bearish candlestick pattern. It is a sign of a strong reversal potential, suggesting that sellers have taken control after an extended buying period.

To identify this pattern, look for a candlestick with a small body and a long upper wick with no lower wick. In addition, the opening and closing prices should be near the same level.

Understanding the different types of doji patterns can provide valuable insights into market sentiment and potential trend reversals. As a result, traders can better comprehend market trends and make more educated trading decisions by learning to recognize and interpret these patterns.

How to Trade Doji Candlestick Patterns?

Doji is a useful pattern, but simply identifying a pattern is not enough to make a profitable trade. Traders must also know how to interpret and trade this pattern effectively.

Here are some tips on how to trade these patterns in the financial markets:

1. Look For Confirmation From Other Indicators 

It should not be the only factor considered when making a trading decision. Traders should also look for confirmation from other technical indicators, such as:

a. Moving Averages

A moving average (MA) is a stock indicator frequently used in technical analysis. It creates a continuously updated average price to assist in smoothing out price data.

b. Support and Resistance Levels

Support and resistance levels are key concepts in technical analysis that help traders and analysts identify potential price levels where a security or asset is likely to encounter buying or selling pressure.

c. Volume Indicators

The most popular charting software visibly displays mathematical calculations called volume indicators.

2. Consider The Context 

The context in which it appears is also important. Traders should look at the surrounding price action to determine the significance of the pattern.

For example, it appears after a strong uptrend may be a sign of a potential trend reversal, while this pattern that appears in a sideways market may be less significant.

3. Use Stop-Loss Orders 

Like any other trading strategy, this one involves risk. Therefore, traders should always use stop-loss orders to limit potential losses if the trade does not go as expected.

Note

A stop-loss order is a predetermined level at which the trader will exit the trade if the market moves against them.

4. Take Profits Gradually 

Traders should also take profits gradually when trading these patterns. They should set multiple profit targets and close a portion of their position at each target. This allows them to lock in profits and reduce their risk as the trade moves in their favor.

5. Consider The Time Frame

The time frame in which this pattern appears can also affect the trading strategy. 

For example, a daily chart may have a different interpretation than an hourly one. Therefore, traders should adjust their trading strategy based on their time frame.

Trading these candlestick patterns in financial markets can be a profitable strategy if done correctly. By following these tips, traders can increase their chances of success when trading using this pattern.

Doji-Pattern in Different Timeframes

The significance of this pattern can vary depending on the timeframe in which it appears. 

1. Intraday Doji-Patterns 

It refers to the patterns that may be seen on charts with time frames of one hour, thirty minutes, or fifteen minutes. These patterns can be useful for short-term dealers looking to make quick gains.  

This can indicate potential trend reversals or consolidations, and traders should use other technical indicators to confirm the significance of the pattern before making a trading decision.

2. Daily Doji-Patterns

It refers to the patterns that appear on charts within a timeframe of one day. These patterns can indicate potential trend reversals in the market and can be used by swing traders to identify entry and exit points. 

3. Weekly Doji-Patterns 

It refers to the pattern that appears on charts within one week. These patterns can be helpful for long-term dealers trying to make trades that span several weeks or months. 

4. Monthly Doji-Patterns 

It refers to the pattern that appears on charts within a timeframe of one month. This pattern can be helpful for long-term traders who want to make deals that endure for several months or years. 

These patterns can be useful tools for traders in different time frames.  By understanding how it can be used in different time frames, traders can improve their chances of success in the financial markets.

Researched and authored by Aryan Singh Manhas | Linkedin

Reviewed and edited by Parul GuptaLinkedIn

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