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Comprehending and Trading the Morning and Evening Star Candlestick Patterns

Writer: Patrick MeierPatrick Meier

Candlestick chart patterns are among the most favored methods for analyzing the price movements of financial assets. The Morning and Evening Star patterns are examples of such patterns that can signal a reversal in the existing trend. This article will delve into the Morning and Evening Star patterns, their significance, and how to apply them in trading.


Candlestick chart patterns showing "Evening Star" in red and "Morning Star" in green on a white background, separated by a dashed line.


What are Morning and Evening Star Candlestick Patterns?


The Morning and Evening Star patterns consist of three candles and are frequently observed in the forex and stock markets. The Morning Star pattern indicates the conclusion of a bearish trend, while the Evening Star pattern signifies the end of a bullish trend. Let's explore each pattern in more detail.


Morning Star Pattern


The Morning Star pattern emerges following a downtrend and suggests a possible reversal. It comprises three candles, as follows:

  1. A long bearish candle that continues the current downtrend.

  2. A short candlestick indicating market indecision, also referred to as a Doji or a Spinning Top.

  3. A long bullish candle that closes above the midpoint of the first candle.

The Morning Star pattern indicates that the bears are losing dominance, and the bulls are beginning to gain control. The Doji candlestick reflects uncertainty, and the bullish candle confirms that buyers have taken charge of the market.


Evening Star Pattern


The Evening Star pattern appears after an uptrend and suggests a possible reversal. It consists of three candles, as follows:

  1. A long bullish candle that continues the current uptrend.

  2. A short candlestick indicating market indecision, also referred to as a Doji or a Spinning Top.

  3. A long bearish candle that closes below the midpoint of the first candle.

The Evening Star pattern indicates that the bulls are losing dominance, and the bears are beginning to gain control. The Doji candlestick reflects uncertainty, and the bearish candle confirms that sellers have taken charge of the market.

Candlestick chart showing a downtrend leading to a morning star pattern and an upward move. Labels: "DOWN­TREND," "UP MOVE," "MORNING STAR."

Candlestick chart with an "Evening Star," highlighting an uptrend followed by a down move. Background text: "UPTREND," "DOWN MOVE."

Trading the Morning and Evening Star Patterns


When dealing with the Morning and Evening Star patterns, it's crucial to wait for confirmation before initiating a trade. This confirmation may appear as a bullish or bearish candlestick following the pattern.


For the Morning Star pattern, traders can enter a long position once the price surpasses the high of the third candle. A stop loss can be set below the low of the first candle, and a take profit target can be determined based on the trader's risk tolerance.


For the Evening Star pattern, traders can enter a short position when the price falls below the low of the third candle. A stop loss can be placed above the high of the first candle, and a take profit target can be established according to the trader's risk tolerance.


Conclusion


The Morning and Evening Star patterns are well-known candlestick patterns that may indicate a potential trend reversal. Traders should wait for confirmation before entering a trade and set a stop loss and take profit target based on their risk tolerance. By integrating these patterns into their trading strategy, traders can enhance their likelihood of success.

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