Morning & Evening Star
Overview
The morning star is a three-candle bullish reversal: a large bearish candle, a small body candle (the star) that gaps down, and a large bullish candle that closes well into the first candle's body. The evening star is the bearish mirror. These are among the strongest candlestick reversal patterns.
Key Concepts
Three-candle formation, Gap between candles 1-2 and 2-3 (gaps may not appear in forex/crypto 24h markets), Star candle shows indecision, Third candle confirms reversal
Entry Signals
Morning star at significant support / weekly demand zone, Evening star at resistance / supply zone, Third candle closes beyond midpoint of first candle's body, Volume increases on the third candle
Exit Signals
Stop below morning star's lowest point / above evening star's highest point, Target the start of the prior trend move, Use Fibonacci extensions for profit targets
Best Timeframes
4H, Daily, Weekly
Pro Tips
In 24-hour markets like crypto and forex where true gaps are rare, look for 'quasi-gaps' where the star candle opens near the prior candle's close but creates a visible separation.
More Topics in This Category
Abandoned Baby Pattern
The abandoned baby is a rare three-candle reversal pattern considered one of the most reliable candlestick signals. It forms when a doji gaps away from the preceding candle and the following candle gaps in the opposite direction, leaving the doji isolated with gaps on both sides. The pattern indicates a dramatic shift in market sentiment where momentum completely reverses between sessions.
Inside Bars
An inside bar is a candle completely contained within the range (high to low) of the previous candle. It represents a contraction of volatility and indecision. Inside bars are used as breakout setups — traders wait for price to break above or below the inside bar's range (or the 'mother bar' range) to enter.
Bullish & Bearish Kickers
The kicker pattern is one of the most powerful two-candle reversal signals in candlestick analysis. It forms when the second candle opens at or beyond the open of the prior candle and moves aggressively in the opposite direction, effectively 'kicking' away from the previous sentiment. Kickers often occur after overnight news events or fundamental catalysts that cause an abrupt sentiment shift.
Harami Patterns
A harami (Japanese for 'pregnant') is a two-candle pattern where a small candle is completely contained within the prior candle's body. A bullish harami appears in downtrends; a bearish harami in uptrends. Haramis signal fading momentum but require confirmation before trading.