Marubozu & Doji
Marubozu & Doji: Candle Clues You Shouldn’t Ignore
Hey there — Ozan again.
Today we’re zooming in on candlesticks. Not the ones on your dinner table — the ones on your trading charts.
Specifically: Marubozu and Doji.
If you’re new to candlestick patterns, these two are some of the easiest to spot — and some of the most interesting. They won’t make you rich on their own, but they’ll tell you a lot about who’s in control (and when that control might be slipping).
Let’s dig in.
Marubozu: Confidence on Full Display
Marubozu is Japanese for “bald” or “shaved.” Why? Because these candles don’t have wicks — they open and close at or near their extremes.
What it looks like:
Bullish Marubozu: Opens at the low, closes at the high.
Bearish Marubozu: Opens at the high, closes at the low.
No hesitation. Just momentum.
What it means:
A Marubozu often shows strong conviction from buyers or sellers. The market moved in one direction — hard — and didn’t look back.
That doesn’t mean it will keep going, but it tells you the last move had power behind it.
Where it matters:
At the start of a new trend = momentum confirmation
After consolidation = possible breakout signal
Near resistance or support = pressure is building
But don’t trade on Marubozu alone. Always look at volume, context, and what the bigger picture is saying.
Doji: Market in Pause Mode
Doji candles are the opposite. They show indecision. The open and close are almost at the same level — so the market moved, but ended up going nowhere.
What it looks like:
Thin body, sometimes with long upper/lower wicks
Looks like a “+” or a cross
What it means:
Buyers and sellers fought it out, and nobody won. A Doji says: “Hey, we’re not sure where this is going.”
That can be boring — or it can be your early warning system.
Where it matters:
After a big trend = possible reversal signal
Inside a tight range = potential breakout coming
Paired with volume drop = market is losing steam
A Doji doesn’t mean “trend change confirmed” — but it often means “watch closely.”
Quick Visual (Mental Chart):
| Candle Type | Signal Strength | Who’s in Control? | Action Idea |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marubozu (Bullish) | Strong | Buyers | Look for confirmation to go long |
| Marubozu (Bearish) | Strong | Sellers | Possible trend continuation |
| Doji | Weak / Neutral | Neither | Wait for direction (or avoid) |
Final Thoughts
You don’t need to memorize every single candlestick pattern out there. But understanding a few strong signals — like Marubozu and Doji — can give your strategy a lot more clarity.
Candles are like market whispers. One candle might not say much, but the story they tell together? That’s where the real signals are.
More pattern breakdowns coming soon — especially if you’re into combining candles with indicators and backtesting.
Until then, watch those wicks.
— Ozan.
