How to Read a High Wave Candle
A small body with unusually long wicks on both sides -- extreme volatility and disagreement within a single period.
CANDLESTICK PATTERNS
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1-candle pattern · Indecision
A high wave candle has a very small body with unusually long wicks on both sides — similar to a long-legged doji, but with a slightly more visible body rather than a near-flat line. It reflects extreme volatility and real disagreement between buyers and sellers within a single period.
High wave candles often show up before a trend changes character, particularly after a strong, one-directional run — the sudden appearance of a wide, indecisive range can mean the move has stopped attracting new participants in the same direction. As with other indecision patterns, it’s a cue to watch the next few candles closely rather than a standalone trade signal.
Related patterns
This article is educational only and isn’t a recommendation to trade any particular instrument or pattern — no candlestick pattern works in isolation. See the full candlestick guide for how patterns like this one fit into a broader approach.