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Maximum indecision. Extremely long shadows in both directions show bulls and bears battled intensely - neither won.
The Long-Legged Doji is a single-candle pattern with a tiny (or nonexistent) body and extremely long upper and lower shadows. It represents the most extreme form of market indecision â price traveled significantly in both directions during the session but closed almost exactly where it opened.
The long shadows tell the story: both bulls and bears had their moments of dominance, but neither could hold their ground. The session was a tug-of-war that ended in a draw. This intense battle often precedes a significant directional move as the market resolves its indecision.
The Long-Legged Doji represents maximum indecision with maximum intensity. Unlike a regular doji where the range may be small, the long-legged variant shows that *both sides fought hard* â the range is wide, but the result is a stalemate.
During the session, price moved significantly higher as bulls charged, then reversed significantly lower as bears counterattacked, then returned to the open. Or vice versa. The long shadows show the extremes of emotion â optimism and pessimism â within a single session.
This intensity of battle at a standstill is what makes the Long-Legged Doji a powerful signal. After such a session, the market often breaks decisively in one direction. At the top of an uptrend, it suggests exhaustion. At the bottom of a downtrend, it suggests capitulation. In the middle, it signals a potential trend change.
Conservative: Wait for confirmation - enter in direction of next candle's close.
Aggressive: Trade the range extremes with tight stops.
Above the high (for bearish setups) or below the low (for bullish setups) of the doji's shadows. The extreme wicks represent the battle zone - a break beyond means one side won decisively.
T1: Nearest support/resistance level in the direction of the trade. The long-legged doji signals extreme indecision, so always wait for a confirmation candle before entering. Target the prior swing level.
Minimum 1:1.5. The long shadows create wide stops, so confirmation and confluence are essential to justify the risk.
The Long-Legged Doji is a neutral pattern â its bias depends on context. At resistance after an uptrend, it's bearish. At support after a downtrend, it's bullish. It always requires confirmation from the next candle to determine direction.
The longer the wicks, the more violent the fight between buyers and sellers. These often precede explosive moves - be ready.
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