Doji are important candlesticks that provide information on their own and as components of in a number of important patterns. Doji form when a security's open and close are virtually equal. The length of the upper and lower shadows can vary and the resulting candlestick looks like a cross, inverted cross or plus sign. Alone, doji are neutral patterns. Any bullish or bearish bias is based on preceding price action and future confirmation. The word "Doji" refers to both the singular and plural form.
Ideally, but not necessarily, the open and close should be equal. While a doji with an equal open and close would be considered more robust, it is more important to capture the essence of the candlestick. Doji convey a sense of indecision or tug-of-war between buyers and sellers. Prices move above and below the opening level during the session, but close at or near the opening level. The result is a standoff. Neither bulls nor bears were able to gain control and a turning point could be developing.
The appearance of a Doji after a long uptrend is a warning to investors that the trend is either close to peaking, or has already peaked. On the other hand, after a long downtrend the exact opposite is true and prices have been forced down. There are four types of Doji candlesticks that investors must learn. These four types include the common Doji, the long-legged, the dragonfly, and the gravestone. The basic Doji signal was already discussed however the three additional types of Doji signals are explained below.
1. Long-legged Doji – This candlestick has a long upper and lower shadow that is almost equal in length, however the trader should observe the candle’s close in relation to the midpoint. A close below the midpoint of the candle indicates weakness. This signal indicates that prices traded well above and below the session’s opening level, but the end result shows little change from the open.
2. Dragonfly Doji – This signal forms when the open, high, and close are equal, and the low creates a long lower shadow. This signal indicates that sellers drove the prices lower during the session, however by the end of the session the buyers pushed the prices back to the opening level and the session high. This signal looks like a “T” with a long lower shadow and no upper shadow.
3. Gravestone Doji – This Doji candlestick looks like the opposite of the dragonfly thus forming an upside down “T.” It has a long upper shadow and no lower shadow, and it forms when the open, low and close are equal. The high is what creates the long upper shadow. This signal indicates that the buyers drove prices higher during the session, and by the end of the session, the prices came back up to the opening level and the session low as a result of the sellers.
