Marubozu & Doji Candlestick Patterns Explained (Beginner’s Guide)

Learn candlestick basics: Marubozu and Doji patterns explained with types and meanings to boost your stock trading skills.

Learn how traders read market psychology using just a single candle. This guide covers Marubozu and Doji (all major types), with practical tips.

Table of Contents

1. What is a Candlestick?
2. Marubozu (Bullish & Bearish)
3. Doji: Meaning & Psychology
4. Doji Types: Standard, Long-Legged, Gravestone, Dragonfly, Four-Price
5. Key Takeaways + Pro Tips
6. FAQs
7. What’s Next

📌 What is a Candlestick?

Each candlestick shows price action for a period (1 min, 5 min, daily, etc.): Open, High, Low, Close. The body (open→close) plus shadows/wicks (high/low) reveal who’s in control—buyers or sellers.

Heads up: No single candle should be used in isolation. Always confirm with overall trend and volume.

🔥 Marubozu Candlestick

Bullish Marubozu

Long green body with no (or tiny) shadows—buyers dominated from open to close. Often signals strong buying pressure at the start or continuation of an uptrend.

Bearish Marubozu

Long red body with no (or tiny) shadows—sellers controlled the entire session. Often appears at the start or continuation of a downtrend.

🤔 Doji: Meaning & Psychology

A Doji forms when the opening and closing prices are nearly equal. It reflects indecision—a tug-of-war where neither side clearly wins. Context matters: in trends, certain Dojis can hint at reversals or pauses.

🧭 Doji Types

1) Standard Doji

Open ≈ Close with small upper/lower wicks. Neutral: neither side shows strong control.

2) Long-Legged Doji

Long shadows both sides—large intraperiod battle → uncertainty.

3) Gravestone Doji

Long upper shadow; open & close near the low. Buyers lost momentum → possible bearish reversal.

4) Dragonfly Doji

Long lower shadow; open & close near the high. Sellers were rejected → possible bullish reversal.

5) Four-Price Doji

Open = High = Low = Close (rare). Total indecision or ultra-low activity/liquidity.

💡 Key Takeaways

• Marubozu → Clear dominance (buyers or sellers fully in control).
• Doji → Indecision; type + location in the trend matters.
• Confirm with trend + volume; never trade on a single candle alone.

❓ FAQs

Is a Doji always a reversal signal?

No. A Doji can signal a pause in trend or a potential reversal. Look for confirmation (next 1–3 candles), volume, and key levels.

Which timeframe works best?

Concepts are universal, but reliability often improves on higher timeframes (e.g., 1H, 4H, Daily). Align signals across multiple timeframes for better odds.

How should I manage risk when trading candles?

Define invalidation before entry (e.g., below the candle low for bullish setups), use position sizing, and never risk more than a small % of capital per trade.

📈 What’s Next?

Up next: Single-Candle Bullish & Bearish Patterns (Hammer, Inverted Hammer, Shooting Star & more).
Continue the series here ➜ Read the next guide

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