Indecision Candlestick Patterns
Doji, Spinning Top, High-Wave and more -- candles where neither buyers nor sellers dominated.
Indecision Patterns
Indecision patterns are candles where neither buyers nor sellers won decisively. The body is small or nonexistent, meaning the close ended up very close to the open. These patterns signal uncertainty -- the market is pausing, and the next candle's direction will reveal whether buyers or sellers take control.
These six patterns form a spectrum from perfect indecision (Doji) to mild indecision (Short Line Candle). They are listed in order from strongest indecision signal to weakest.
Open and close are at (or extremely close to) the same price. The candle is almost entirely shadows with little or no body. This is the purest form of indecision -- buyers and sellers battled to a draw. The shadows show the range of the battle.
A Doji with exceptionally long upper and lower shadows. Both buyers and sellers made strong moves during the candle, but neither could hold their ground. The extreme range combined with a near-zero body signals heightened uncertainty and volatility.
A Long-Legged Doji where the open/close is near the midpoint of the candle's range. Symmetric indecision -- both the upper and lower shadows are approximately equal length, with the body centered between them.
A candle with a very small body and very long upper and lower shadows -- similar to a Long-Legged Doji but with a slightly larger body. The tiny body shows a marginal winner, but the long shadows show that control changed hands multiple times during the candle.
A candle with a small body and upper and lower shadows that are longer than the body. Less extreme than a Doji -- there is a visible body, but it is small relative to the shadows. A mild form of indecision where one side had a slight edge but not a convincing one.
A candle with a small body and short shadows -- the entire candle is compact. This signals low volatility and indecision through lack of activity rather than through opposing forces. Neither side showed much interest. In a trend, it can indicate a brief pause.
Where to Go Next
Bullish Reversal Candlestick Patterns -- patterns that signal a potential shift from downtrend to uptrend.
Bearish Reversal Candlestick Patterns -- patterns that signal a potential shift from uptrend to downtrend.
Candlestick Patterns: Bidirectional, Continuation & Gap -- patterns that depend on trend context or confirm continuations.
Candlestick Patterns Overview -- how Simula detects patterns and realistic expectations.