Candlesticks are the language of price action. Their bodies and wicks reveal who controlled the market, who got rejected, and where momentum truly came from. If you're just starting your foundation, begin with What Is Trading?.
Before you read candles deeply, it helps to understand how orders behave. Candles form from executed trades and order flow. For the mechanics behind every candle, explore How Orders Work and Bid vs Ask.
Candlestick shapes are influenced by spread, liquidity, and price rejection. These forces stretch wicks, compress bodies, or exaggerate moves. Learn how this happens in Understanding the Spread and What Is Liquidity?.
Even the type of order you place affects how a candle prints. Market orders create urgency; limit orders absorb movement. To see how execution shapes candles, explore Market vs Limit Orders.
Once you grasp how candles form, chart reading becomes easier. Candles are the building blocks of structure. For foundational context, try Chart Basics and Timeframes Explained.
Candlestick anatomy connects naturally to sentiment. Strong bodies show conviction; long wicks show rejection. To refine directional reading, explore Bullish vs Bearish.
Patterns only make sense once you master individual candles. Trends, ranges, and breakouts all develop from candle behavior. For structure-building skills, explore Trends vs Ranges.
Volume reveals whether a candle’s message is real or weak. Strong candles backed by participation carry far more meaning. To learn this connection, explore Volume 101.
Momentum shifts change candlestick shape — bodies shrink, wicks lengthen, or sudden bursts form. To understand these changes, look into Momentum Basics.
Emotions play directly into candlesticks. Fear creates long wicks; greed creates full-bodied surges. For the psychological layer, explore Psychological Trading Pressure.
Multi-candle patterns like engulfings and pin bars become clear once anatomy clicks. For pattern development, explore Common Chart Patterns.
Volatility transforms candles. Expansions create huge bodies; contractions create tight clusters. To understand how volatility changes candle behavior, explore Volatility Basics.
Once you can read candles with precision, you're ready to build timing rules and integrate anatomy into a full trading system. For next steps, visit Building a Trading System.