Candlestick charting began in Japan over 300 years ago in the analysis of rice trading behaviour. It has well withstood the ' test of time '.
 
The space between the open and close on the chart forms the 'body' and the remaining portions, depicted by a simple line which we might call the wick, are referred to as the 'shadows'.
 
Down days where the close is lower that the opening are depicted as red or black bodies and on up days where the close is higher than the open the body is shown as green or white.
 
The longer the body, the more certainty is being expressed as to the strength of the bullish vs bearish force being demonstrated.
 
Small bodies represent uncertainty and an even strength of bear and bull forces.
 
Long lower shadows after a decline of some duration are bullish suggesting a reversal is coming. Similarly long upper shadows after a sustained advance suggest a down side reversal may be near.
 
By observing two or more days together, several patterns have been discovered to have bullish or bearish implications. I attempt to identify these by outlining and naming the patterns as I see them.