Candlestick Pattern Encyclopedia

Exotic Patterns: Tweezers, Kickers & More

The Fun Ones

These patterns have colorful names and are less common, but can be very powerful when they appear.

TWEEZER TOP (Bearish)

    ┌───┐ ┌───┐
    │███│ │   │
    │███│ │   │  ←Same highs = resistance
    │███│ │   │
    └───┘ └───┘
    Green  Red
What it is: Two candles with identical (or nearly identical) highs.
What it means: Price tested a level twice and was rejected both times.
Signal: Bearish reversal at resistance.
Nickname: "Double Rejection"

TWEEZER BOTTOM (Bullish)

    ┌───┐ ┌───┐
    │   │ │███│
    │   │ │███│  ←Same lows = support
    │   │ │███│
    └───┘ └───┘
     Red  Green
What it is: Two candles with identical (or nearly identical) lows.
What it means: Price tested support twice and bounced both times.
Signal: Bullish reversal at support.

KICKER (Most Powerful Pattern!)

Bullish Kicker:           Bearish Kicker:
    ┌───┐                     ┌───┐
    │   │                     │███│
    │   │ ←Red               │███│ ←Green
    └───┘                     └───┘
         GAP!                      GAP!
    ┌───┐                     ┌───┐
    │███│                     │   │
    │███│ ←Green              │   │ ←Red
    └───┘                     └───┘
What it is: Complete sentiment reversal with a gap.
Requirements: Second candle gaps AWAY from first candle's body, opposite color.
Signal: One of the STRONGEST patterns. Often indicates major news or shift.
Nickname: "The Kick" or "Sentiment Bomb"

Kicker patterns are rare but extremely reliable. When you see one, pay attention!

TASUKI GAP

Upside Tasuki Gap:
1. Bullish candle
2. Gap up, another bullish candle
3. Bearish candle that opens inside #2 and closes inside the gap (but doesn't fill it)

Signal: Bullish continuation - the pullback into the gap found support.

THREE LINE STRIKE

Bearish version:         
    ┌─┐                 ┌─────────┐
    │█│ ┌─┐             │█████████│
    └─┘ │█│ ┌─┐    →    │█████████│
        └─┘ │█│         │█████████│
            └─┘         └─────────┘
 3 small red    1 big green engulfs all 3!
What it is: Three same-direction candles followed by one big opposite candle that engulfs all three.
Signal: REVERSAL! Despite the name suggesting "strike" (continuation), this is a powerful reversal pattern.
Nickname: "The Wrecking Ball"

BELT HOLD

Bullish Belt Hold: Opens at the low, no lower wick, strong close
Bearish Belt Hold: Opens at the high, no upper wick, weak close

What it means: One side was in complete control from the open.
Nickname: "The Grip"

Key Takeaways

  • Tweezers = same highs/lows tested twice, rejection signal
  • Kicker = gap + opposite candle, extremely powerful
  • Three Line Strike = three candles engulfed by fourth, reversal
  • Belt Hold = no wick on one side, strong directional control