Parts of a Candlestick: Body, Wick, and Shadow
To master candlestick patterns, you first need to understand their basic structure. Each candlestick isn’t just a shape—it’s a story of price action told through three main parts: the body, wick, and shadow.
In this beginner-friendly guide, we’ll break down the anatomy of a candlestick, what each part means, and how to interpret them correctly.
What Is a Candlestick?
A candlestick is a visual representation of price movement within a specific time period—whether that’s one minute, one hour, one day, or more. It shows the relationship between the opening, closing, high, and low prices of a trading session.
Candlesticks help traders quickly gauge market sentiment and identify potential trading opportunities.
1. The Body (Real Body)
The body is the colored, rectangular portion of the candlestick. It represents the range between the opening and closing prices during the selected time frame.
Color Meaning:
- Green/White (Bullish): Close > Open — buyers in control
- Red/Black (Bearish): Close < Open — sellers in control
What It Tells You:
- A long body = strong buying or selling pressure
- A short body = indecision or weak momentum
The body is the core of the candlestick—it reveals who won the battle between buyers and sellers.
2. The Wick (Upper and Lower)
The wick, also known as the shadow, is the thin vertical line extending above and below the body.
- Upper Wick: Shows the highest price reached during the session
- Lower Wick: Shows the lowest price reached
What It Tells You:
- Long upper wick = price was pushed up but rejected (possible resistance)
- Long lower wick = price was pushed down but rejected (possible support)
- No wick = strong directional momentum or full-body candle
Wicks show price rejection and volatility, offering clues about upcoming reversals.
3. The Shadow (Same as Wick)
The terms wick and shadow are often used interchangeably. Some traders refer to the top and bottom lines as shadows, but they mean the same thing as wicks.
So:
- Upper shadow = upper wick
- Lower shadow = lower wick
It all represents the price extremes beyond the open and close.
Candlestick Structure Summary
| Part | Represents | Key Insight |
|---|---|---|
| Body | Open and close | Strength and direction of move |
| Upper Wick | High | Buyer rejection |
| Lower Wick | Low | Seller rejection |
Real-Life Example
Imagine a bullish candlestick:
- Open: $100
- Low: $95
- High: $120
- Close: $115
- The body spans from $100 to $115 (green).
- The lower wick shows a low of $95 (rejected by buyers).
- The upper wick shows a high of $120 (rejected by sellers).
This candlestick shows strong buyer control, with some late resistance near the top.
Why Understanding Structure Matters
Recognizing the parts of a candlestick helps you:
- Analyze momentum
- Spot reversals through wicks/shadows
- Identify indecision or commitment
- Build trust in patterns like Doji, Hammer, or Engulfing
You’ll read the story behind every candle—not just its shape.
Conclusion
Before jumping into advanced candlestick patterns, it’s essential to master their structure. The body, wick, and shadow reveal important clues about who is winning the price battle—and where the market may be headed next.
By understanding these parts, you lay a strong foundation for using candlestick charts in your trading strategy.
FAQs
1. What’s the difference between a wick and a shadow?
They’re the same. Both refer to the lines showing the high and low outside the body.
2. What does a long body with no wick mean?
It shows strong momentum with little price rejection—often seen in breakouts.
3. Can wicks help identify reversals?
Yes. Long upper or lower wicks often signal rejection and a potential reversal.
4. How are candlestick parts used in patterns?
Patterns like Hammer rely heavily on wick length, while others focus on the body.
5. Are candlestick structures universal across markets?
Yes. They work the same way in stocks, forex, crypto, and futures.
