Hanging Man Candlestick Pattern: Definition, Tips, and Examples

What Is the Hanging Man Pattern?

The Hanging Man candlestick pattern is a bearish reversal candlestick pattern that traders look for at the end of an uptrend.

The presence of the Hanging Man pattern suggests that the bullish trend might be losing momentum and that sellers are starting to gain strength.

It's like a warning sign that the current uptrend could be nearing its end.

For traders, spotting the Hanging Man pattern can be crucial because it signals potential changes in market direction.

However, the Hanging Man pattern does not guarantee a trend reversal, but it does provide a hint that the market sentiment might be shifting.

What Is the Structure of a Hanging Man Candlestick Pattern

The structure of the Hanging Man candlestick pattern includes a small real body, which can be either green (bullish) or red (bearish).

The key feature is its long lower shadow, which should be at least twice the length of the real body. This shadow indicates that sellers pushed prices significantly lower during the trading session, but buyers managed to bring the price back up slightly.

Green vs. Red Hanging Man Pattern

A green Hanging Man pattern indicates a session in which prices opened lower, rose significantly and closed just above the opening price.

A red Hanging Man pattern, on the other hand, shows that the price opened higher, fell sharply, and closed slightly below the opening price.

While both patterns signal potential bearish reversals, the red Hanging Man is often considered more bearish due to the negative closing price.

Hanging Man vs. Hammer Candlestick

Though the Hanging Man and Hammer patterns look similar, their contexts are different.

The Hanging Man appears at the top of an uptrend and signals a bearish reversal, whereas the Hammer appears at the bottom of a downtrend and indicates a bullish reversal.

Key Differences:

• Structure: Both the Hanging Man and Hammer are single-candle patterns with a small body and long lower shadow.

• Context: Hanging Man appears at the end of an uptrend (bearish signal), while Hammer forms at the bottom of a downtrend (bullish signal).

• Signal: Hanging Man indicates selling pressure; Hammer shows buying strength.

Hanging Man vs. Evening Star Candlestick

The Hanging Man and Evening Star patterns are both bearish reversal signals but differ in their structure and confirmation requirements.

The Hanging Man is a single-candle bearish reversal pattern with a small body and long lower shadow, appearing at the end of an uptrend and needing confirmation from a subsequent bearish candle.

The Evening Star is a three-candle pattern that signals a stronger bearish reversal with a bullish candle, a small indecisive candle, and a confirming bearish candle.

Key Differences:

• Structure: Hanging Man is one candle; Evening Star is three.

• Confirmation: Hanging Man needs an extra bearish candle; Evening Star confirms itself.

• Signal Strength: Evening Star provides a clearer, stronger reversal signal.

Hanging Man vs. Shooting Star

The Hanging Man and Shooting Star are both bearish reversal patterns, but they differ in their appearance and context within the trend.

The Hanging Man is a single-candle pattern with a small body and a long lower shadow, appearing at the end of an uptrend. It suggests that selling pressure is emerging but needs confirmation from a subsequent bearish candle.

The Shooting Star is also a single-candle pattern, but it has a small body near the low of the session and a long upper shadow, signaling that the market is rejecting higher prices at the end of an uptrend, often confirming bearish sentiment without needing additional confirmation.

Key Differences:

• Structure: Hanging Man has a long lower shadow; Shooting Star has a long upper shadow.

• Confirmation: Hanging Man needs confirmation from a bearish candle; Shooting Star often serves as its own confirmation.

• Signal Strength: Shooting Star typically provides a stronger immediate bearish signal due to its rejection of higher prices.

Hanging Man Pattern vs. Doji Patterns

Doji patterns, characterized by their small bodies and long shadows, signify market indecision.

Unlike the Hanging Man pattern, which suggests a bearish reversal, Doji patterns can indicate either continuation or reversal, depending on their context and confirmation from subsequent candles.

The Hanging Man doji has a more definitive bearish implication when confirmed by following bearish action.

How Is the Hanging Man Candlestick Pattern Formed?

The Hanging Man candlestick pattern forms when, during an uptrend, the price opens, trades significantly lower, but then rallies to close near the opening price.

This action creates a candle with a small body and a long lower shadow. The formation reflects a scenario where sellers were able to push the price down, but buyers managed to pull it back up slightly, raising questions about the strength of the uptrend.

Identifying the Hanging Man Pattern

Identifying the Hanging Man pattern is an essential skill for traders looking to spot potential trend reversals. So, how do you go about recognizing this pattern? Let's break it down in a straightforward way.

First, you need to look at the context. The Hanging Man pattern appears at the end of an uptrend.

The Hanging Man has a small real body at the top, which can be green (showing a slight gain) or red (showing a slight loss).

The key feature here is the long lower shadow, which should be at least twice the length of the real body.

It’s this long shadow that tells you sellers were able to push the price down significantly during the session, even though buyers managed to bring it back up somewhat.

Another important aspect is the upper shadow, or rather, the lack of it. The Hanging Man usually has little to no upper shadow.

If you see a candlestick with a small body, a long lower shadow, and barely any upper shadow at the end of an uptrend, you’re likely looking at a Hanging Man chart pattern.

But spotting the Hanging Man pattern isn’t enough on its own. Confirmation is key. Traders typically wait for the next candlestick to confirm the pattern before making any moves.

A bearish candlestick following the Hanging Man can serve as this confirmation.

To recap, here’s how you identify the Hanging Man pattern:

1. Look for it at the end of an uptrend.

2. Check for a small real body at the top of the candlestick.

3. Ensure there’s a long lower shadow at least twice the length of the body.

4. Note the minimal or nonexistent upper shadow.

5. Wait for a bearish candlestick to confirm the pattern.

Trading Strategies Using the Hanging Man Candlestick Pattern

Trading strategies that incorporate the Hanging Man candlestick pattern can be quite effective when used correctly.

Here's a breakdown of how you can use this pattern to inform your trading decisions in a practical way:

• Wait for Confirmation:

  • Spot the Hanging Man pattern at the end of an uptrend.

  • Wait for the next candlestick to confirm the bearish signal (ideally, a strong bearish candle).

• Determine Entry Point:

  • To capitalize on the market's weakness, enter a short position just below the low of the Hanging Man candlestick.

• Set Stop-Loss:

  • Place your stop-loss just above the high of the Hanging Man candlestick to manage risk and limit potential losses.

• Identify Take-Profit Levels:

  • Look for previous support levels or areas where the price has previously bounced.

  • Use technical indicators like the Relative Strength Index (RSI) or moving averages to help decide on optimal exit points.

• Combine with Other Technical Tools:

  • Enhance your strategy by combining the Hanging Man pattern with other technical analysis tools.

  • For example, if the pattern coincides with an overbought RSI reading or appears near a resistance level, the signal becomes stronger.

Risk Management and Considerations

• Place stop-loss orders above the high of the Hanging Man candlestick to limit potential losses.

• Ensure the Hanging Man pattern is confirmed by a subsequent bearish candle before entering a trade.

• Do not rely solely on the Hanging Man pattern; use other technical indicators for additional confirmation.

• Adjust your position size to manage risk and avoid overexposure in any single trade.

• Consider overall market volatility and external factors that might impact price movements.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Hanging Man candlestick pattern is a powerful tool for identifying potential bearish reversals at the end of an uptrend.

By understanding its structure, formation, and context, you can make informed decisions and incorporate this pattern into your broader trading strategies. Remember, confirmation and risk management are key to effectively trading the Hanging Man pattern. Join XS today and start trading!