I've noticed that many newcomers in crypto don't understand how to read charts. And candlestick patterns are one of the most reliable tools for analysis. Let's figure out what each thing means.

Candlestick formations are actually just visual representations of price fluctuations. Each candle shows the open, close, high, and low for a specific period. And hidden within these candle patterns is information about market sentiment — whether people are buying or selling. If you learn to read them, you can catch good entry points.

Historically, candlestick patterns came to us from Japan in the 1700s, when rice traders used this system. The Western world only learned about it in the late 80s, but now it’s a standard tool for any serious trader.

There are several types of candlestick patterns. There are bullish ones — they signal growth or a reversal upward after a decline. There are bearish ones — indicating a decrease or a reversal downward. And there are reversal and continuation patterns.

Let's go over the main bullish reversals:

Hammer — when a candle has a small body but a long lower wick. This means sellers pushed the price down, but buyers regained control. A classic upward reversal signal.

Bullish engulfing — a small red candle is followed by a large green candle that completely covers it. Buyers have overtaken sellers. This can trigger an upward trend.

Morning star consists of three candles. First a long red one, then a small one (can be any color), then a long green one. The small candle shows uncertainty, and the next green one indicates that the bulls are taking control.

Piercing line — a two-candle pattern. A red candle followed by a green one that opens below the low but closes above the middle of the first candle. A strong close indicates a change in sentiment.

Inverted hammer — one candle with a small body and a long upper wick. Buyers tried to push the price higher but couldn't hold it. It may signal a reversal.

Doji — when open and close are almost the same. It results in a candle with no body or a very tiny one. This indicates uncertainty — neither bulls nor bears are in control. It can be a reversal signal.

Now, bearish patterns:

Bearish engulfing — the opposite: a small green candle is followed by a large red one. Sellers have taken control. The price may fall.

Evening star — three candles: a long green, a small one (any color), then a long red. This indicates a reversal downward after an uptrend.

Shooting star — a single candle with a small body and a long upper wick after an upward trend. Sellers pushed down, which could signal a reversal.

When I look at candlestick patterns, I always remember that they are not 100% guarantees. They are probabilistic signals. But combined with other tools, they work great.

The market is interesting right now. BTC is at 78.78K, XRP at 1.39, SOL at 83.99. All slightly down on the hourly chart, but that's normal. If you learn to read candlestick patterns, you'll be able to tell whether it's just a correction or the start of something more serious.

These are basic knowledge every trader should have. Start with simple patterns, practice on charts, and over time you'll see these signals automatically.