Single-candle pattern · neutral bias
Doji candlestick pattern
A doji is a candle whose open and close are almost the same, leaving a very thin body. It records a session where neither buyers nor sellers won.
How to identify it
- Open and close at or very near the same price.
- Upper and lower wicks of any length.
- The body is tiny compared with recent candles.
Where it matters: Can appear anywhere; it matters most after a strong move.
What it means
Indecision. After a strong trend a doji can signal that momentum is pausing; in a sideways market it often means very little.
What confirms it
The direction of the next candle's close relative to the doji's range.
What invalidates it
Because a doji is neutral, there is no single invalidation; the confirming candle sets the bias.
Common mistakes
- Treating every doji as a reversal signal.
- Ignoring doji in low-volatility periods where they are common and meaningless.
Frequently asked questions
Is a doji bullish or bearish?
Neither on its own. It shows indecision, and the next candle usually decides the direction.
What are the main types of doji?
Common types include the dragonfly doji, gravestone doji and long-legged doji, defined by where the wicks are.
Related candlestick patterns
Educational content only, not financial advice. Chart patterns describe probabilities, not certainties, and every pattern can fail. See our disclaimer.