Long Legged Doji Candlestick Pattern: How It Works & How to Profit from It

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Long Legged Doji Candlestick Pattern

Have you ever seen a candle on a chart that looks like it’s standing tall with long legs and a tiny body in the middle? That’s called a Long Legged Doji.

In the stock market, traders look at special shapes called candlestick patterns to guess what might happen next with prices. One of these special shapes is the Long Legged Doji Candlestick Pattern.

This pattern tells us that buyers and sellers are confused. Nobody is clearly winning. It shows a kind of indecision in the market — like when you can’t decide if you want chocolate or vanilla ice cream 🍦.

In this article, we’ll explain:

  • What this candlestick looks like
  • What it means when you see it
  • How you can use it while trading

Let’s make it super easy and fun to understand!

🔍 Long Legged Doji Candlestick

A Long Legged Doji is a special shape (we call it a pattern) that appears on stock market charts. It looks like a skinny candle with long lines above and below a tiny center.

Let’s break it down:

  • 🕯️ The small body in the middle shows that the opening price and the closing price were almost the same.
  • The long lines (called shadows or wicks) on the top and bottom show that the price went high and low during the day but came back to the middle.

🎯 What does this mean?

It means the buyers (people who want to buy) and the sellers (people who want to sell) were fighting with each other. Prices moved up, then down, but in the end… nobody won. The battle was a tie.

Imagine playing tug of war with your friend, and after pulling and pulling, the rope stays right in the middle. That’s what a long legged doji tells us – a market tug-of-war with no winner.

📷 What it looks like:

|
|
───┼─── ← (tiny body)
|
|

This pattern can show up in any market – stocks, crypto, forex, or commodities. When it appears, smart traders stop and think, “Hmm… something might be changing soon.

🧠 What Does the Long Legged Doji Indicate?

So now we know that a Long Legged Doji looks like a tall candle with a tiny body in the middle and long wicks above and below. But what does it actually tell us?

The Long Legged Doji is like the market saying:
“I’m confused. I don’t know if I want to go up or down.”

Let’s understand what this means:

🌀 It Shows Indecision

When this pattern appears, it means both buyers and sellers tried to take control, but no one could win.

  • Buyers pushed the price up 📈
  • Sellers pushed the price down 📉
  • But in the end… the price closed near where it started 😐

That’s why we call it a sign of indecision — just like when you’re at a restaurant and can’t decide what to eat!

🔁 It Can Signal a Change (Reversal)

If the Long Legged Doji shows up after a strong uptrend or downtrend, it could mean that the trend is about to change direction.

  • 📉 After a big fall → It might go up (bullish sign)
  • 📈 After a big rise → It might go down (bearish sign)

But wait – it’s not always 100% sure. That’s why smart traders always look for other signs before making a move.

👀 It’s a “Pause” Candle

Think of it like the market is taking a break to decide what to do next. It’s not rushing — it’s thinking.

So when you see a Long Legged Doji:

  • Stop.
  • Watch carefully.
  • Wait for the next move.

It could be a turning point!

🔄 Types of Doji Candles: How Long Legged Doji Differs

Did you know there are many types of Doji candles? They all look a little different and tell us slightly different stories about the market. Let’s take a look at the main ones and how the Long Legged Doji is different:

📍 1. Doji (Simple Doji)

Looks like a plus sign ➕

  • Tiny or no body
  • Very short wicks
  • Shows market indecision

📍 2. Dragonfly Doji

Looks like a letter “T”

  • Long wick at the bottom
  • No wick on top
  • Price went down, then came all the way back up
  • Can be a sign of a bullish reversal

📍 3. Gravestone Doji

Looks like an upside-down “T”

  • Long wick at the top
  • No wick on bottom
  • Price went up, then dropped back down
  • Can be a bearish reversal sign

📍 4. Long Legged Doji

Looks like a skinny candle with long wicks on both sides

  • Price went high AND low, but closed near the middle
  • Shows strong confusion and a tug-of-war between buyers and sellers
  • Can signal a trend change if seen at the top or bottom of a move

📌 In simple words:

All Dojis show market confusion. But the Long Legged Doji shows stronger confusion because prices moved a lot before deciding to stay in the middle.

💹 How to Trade Using the Long Legged Doji

Alright! Now let’s talk about how you can use this candle while trading.

🧭 Step 1: Find the Pattern

Look for a Long Legged Doji on your chart – it should have:

  • A very small body
  • Long top and bottom wicks

It often appears after a strong uptrend or downtrend.

🕵️‍♂️ Step 2: Watch Where It Appears

The location of the candle tells the story:

  • 📈 At the top of an uptrend: Might be a sign the price is about to go down
  • 📉 At the bottom of a downtrend: Might be a sign the price is about to go up

But don’t jump in just yet! We need to be smart.

✅ Step 3: Wait for Confirmation

Always wait for the next candle to see what’s happening.

  • If the next candle is bullish after a long legged doji at the bottom → Think about buying
  • If the next candle is bearish after a long legged doji at the top → Think about selling

This is called a confirmation candle. It helps you avoid bad trades.

🔧 Step 4: Use Tools for Safety

Smart traders also use:

  • 🔍 Support & Resistance lines
  • 📊 Indicators like RSI, MACD, or Moving Averages

These tools help confirm if the signal is strong or weak.

🚫 Don’t Trade It Alone

Never trade based only on the Long Legged Doji.
Use it like a traffic signal — helpful, but not the whole road!

📊 Real Chart Examples of Long Legged Doji

Let’s now see how the Long Legged Doji actually looks on a real price chart. This will help you recognize it when trading.

📍 At the Bottom of a Downtrend

Imagine a stock has been falling for many days. Then one day, a Long Legged Doji appears. This shows buyers are starting to fight back. The next candle is green and strong — that’s a bullish sign.

🟢 In this case, traders may take it as a signal to buy, thinking the price might go up.

📍 At the Top of an Uptrend

Now picture a stock going up and up. Suddenly, a Long Legged Doji forms at the top. This means the uptrend is losing strength. The next candle is red and big — that’s a bearish sign.

🔴 Here, traders may take it as a signal to sell, expecting the price to drop.

📍 Tip: Use TradingView or Charting Platforms

You can easily spot Long Legged Doji candles using free tools like:

  • TradingView
  • MetaTrader
  • Investing.com

Just zoom into any chart and look for a candle with:

  • Appearing after a big move
  • A tiny body
  • Long wicks (top and bottom)

⚖️ Pros and Cons of the Long Legged Doji Pattern

Like every tool in trading, the Long Legged Doji has its good points and not-so-good points. Let’s take a quick look:

✅ Pros (Why It’s Useful)

Easy to Spot
It stands out on the chart — long wicks and small body make it clear.

Early Warning
It can signal a possible trend change before it happens.

Works in All Markets
You can use it in stocks, crypto, forex, or even gold!

Helps You Pause
It reminds traders to slow down and think before taking a position.

❌ Cons (Things to Be Careful About)

Needs Confirmation
It’s risky to trade just based on this candle alone. You need to wait for the next candle.

Can Give False Signals
Sometimes the price keeps going in the same direction after the Doji. That’s why checking other indicators is smart.

Not for Fast Trading
This pattern works better in longer timeframes (like 1-hour, daily, weekly). On very short timeframes, it can be noisy.

🔍 Final Thought:

Think of the Long Legged Doji like a yellow traffic light. It’s a warning sign – not a go or stop by itself. Combine it with other tools to make smarter trading decisions.

💡 Tips for Beginners

Just starting out with trading? No worries! Here are some easy tips to help you use the Long Legged Doji the smart way – even if you’re totally new.

✅ 1. Don’t Rush – Wait for Confirmation

When you see a Long Legged Doji, don’t jump in right away.

👉 Wait for the next candle
If it goes up (green) or down (red), that tells you what might happen next.

✅ 2. Use Bigger Timeframes

Try looking for Long Legged Dojis on charts like:

  • 🕐 1-Hour
  • 📅 Daily
  • 📆 Weekly

These charts are more reliable and less “noisy” than 5-minute or 15-minute ones.

✅ 3. Combine With Other Indicators

Use this pattern with other tools like:

  • 📏 Support and Resistance Levels
  • 📈 Moving Averages
  • RSI or MACD

These can give you a stronger signal and help avoid false trades.

✅ 4. Practice on a Demo Account First

Don’t risk real money at the start.

Use demo trading apps to practice spotting Long Legged Doji candles and making smart decisions without fear.

✅ 5. Keep Learning

Trading is like a game — the more you learn, the better you play.

Read blogs 📚, watch videos 🎥, and follow market experts 🧠 to keep improving.

🧠 Bonus Tip: Be Patient & Calm

Markets go up and down – that’s normal.
The Long Legged Doji helps you stay alert, not panic.

Trade smart, not fast.

❓ FAQs: Long Legged Doji Candlestick Pattern

❓ What is a Long Legged Doji candlestick?

A Long Legged Doji is a candlestick pattern with a very small body and long wicks on both ends. It shows that buyers and sellers are indecisive, and the price closed near where it opened.

❓ What does the Long Legged Doji indicate?

It indicates market confusion. After a strong trend, it may be a sign that the market is about to reverse or pause.

❓ Is the Long Legged Doji bullish or bearish?

It can be both — depending on where it appears:
After a downtrend → It might be bullish (trend may go up)
After an uptrend → It might be bearish (trend may go down)
Always wait for confirmation.

❓ How do I trade the Long Legged Doji?

1. Spot the pattern
2. Check the trend direction
3. Wait for the next candle to confirm
4. Use indicators like RSI, MACD, or moving averages for extra safety

❓ Is the Long Legged Doji reliable?

It’s helpful, but not 100% reliable. It should always be used with other tools. It’s great for spotting trend changes, but never trade it alone.

❓ Can beginners use the Long Legged Doji?

Yes! It’s a great pattern for beginners to learn, as it teaches you to:
Be patient
Watch the chart carefully
Make smarter trading choices

Conclusion: Should You Use the Long Legged Doji?

Yes – but use it wisely!

The Long Legged Doji is a powerful candlestick pattern that shows confusion in the market. It’s a signal that something might change soon. But remember, it’s not a magic trick. 📉📈

🔑 Use it with:

  • Other chart patterns
  • Technical indicators
  • Support and resistance lines

And most importantly – wait for confirmation before you enter a trade.

If you’re a beginner, it’s a great pattern to learn because it teaches you to be patient and think before jumping in.

Happy trading! 🚀

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