BEARISH HANGING MAN
Definition
The pattern occurs at the top of a trend or during an uptrend. The name Hanging Man comes from the fact that the candlestick looks somewhat like a hanging man. It is a single candlestick pattern that has a long lower shadow and a small body at or very near the top of its daily trading range.
Recognition Criteria
1. The market is characterized by a prevailing uptrend.
2. A small real body at the upper end of the trading range is observed. The color of the body is not important.
3. The lower shadow of this candlestick is at least twice as long as the body.
4. There is (almost) no upper shadow.
Pattern Requirements and Flexibility
The body of the Hanging Man should be small. The lower shadow should be at least twice as long as the body, but not shorter than an average candlestick. It is desired that the upper shadow is very small, or better nil. The top of the Hanging Man’s body should be above both of the two preceding white candlesticks.
Trader’s Behavior
The Hanging Man is a bearish reversal pattern. It signals a market top or a resistance level. Since it is seen after an advance, it signals that selling pressure is starting to increase. The long lower shadow indicates that the sellers pushed prices lower during the session. Even though the bulls regained their footing and drove prices higher by the finish, the appearance of this selling pressure after a rally is a serious warning signal. If the body is black, it shows that the close was not able to get back to the opening price level, which has potentially more bearish implications.
Sell/Stop Loss Levels
The confirmation level is defined as the midpoint of Hanging Man’s lower shadow. Prices should cross below this level for confirmation.
The stop loss level is defined as the higher of the last two highs. Following the bearish signal, if prices go up instead of going down, and close or make two consecutive daily highs above the stop loss level, while no bullish pattern is detected, then the stop loss is triggered.