Technical Analysis · Indecision
High Wave
A High Wave candle has a small real body with extremely long upper and lower wicks, marking one of the most volatile, indecisive single-session patterns in candlestick analysis.
Bullish candle
Bearish candle
Highlighted = the pattern itself
Category
Indecision
Signal
Wait
Reliability
★★★★★
Candles Involved
1
What does it signal?
Price was pulled sharply in both directions during the session with no clear winner — often appearing at turning points where sentiment is highly unstable.
How to identify a High Wave
- Small body relative to the total candle range.
- Both wicks are unusually long — more exaggerated than a Spinning Top or Long-Legged Doji.
How to trade a High Wave
- Treat as a strong volatility warning — many traders reduce position size or wait for the next 1-2 candles to clarify direction before acting.
Educational only — not financial advice. Combine any candlestick pattern with broader market context, risk management, and your own trading plan.
FAQ
Common questions
Not on its own — it flags extreme indecision and volatility. It can precede a reversal, but needs confirmation from subsequent price action.
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