Bearish Harami Cross candlestick pattern
bearish reversal signal · 2 candles · reliability 3/5
A large green candle followed by a doji inside the first real body, signaling heightened indecision after an uptrend.
The Bearish Harami Cross is a stronger version of the Bearish Harami: the second candle is not just a small red body, but a full doji. After an uptrend, the market reaches a temporary balance between buyers and sellers. This shows that buyer strength has stalled sharply. The next candle often indicates the direction of the reversal attempt.
What does it signal? A Bearish Harami Cross at the end of an uptrend signals a potential reversal — buyers tried to push higher, but sellers forced price back.
When is it reliable? At a strong resistance level, with above-average volume and a confirming red candle in the next period.
When to avoid it? In sideways markets and on very short time frames such as 1m and 5m — the noise is too high and the signal has little statistical value.
Anatomy and identification rules
Candle anatomy
- 1
First candle: large green real body in an uptrend
- 2
Second candle: doji
- 3
The doji sits completely inside the first real body
- 4
Ideally, the doji’s wicks also remain inside the first real body
Identification rules
- Appears after an uptrend
- The first real body is at least 5 times larger than the doji’s body
- The doji is completely inside the first real body
- The doji body is no more than 5% of the full range
- A bearish confirmation candle is required for entry
Pattern in chart context
What it says about the market
Context of appearance: Most relevant near the end of an uptrend, especially under overbought conditions. Without confirmation, the signal is unreliable.
Market psychology in three steps
- 1
Uptrend continues. Several candles print higher highs and higher lows. Buyers control the market, and sentiment remains positive.
- 2
Bearish Harami Cross forms. Buying pressure fades, and sellers return. Price is pushed back near the starting point, creating the possibility of a reversal.
- 3
Confirmation arrives. The next candle closes with a red body, ideally on high volume. Sentiment has shifted, and a new downtrend begins.
Same shape, opposite meaning
The Bearish Harami Cross and the Bullish Harami Cross look identical. The difference lies in context — mistake one for the other and you enter in the opposite direction. The candle shape alone is never enough: always read the trend first, then the pattern.
Most common mistakes
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Ignoring context. A Bearish Harami Cross only has meaning near the end of an uptrend. In a sideways market or downtrend, the message changes — identify the trend first.
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Entering right after the pattern closes. The pattern itself is not an entry trigger. The red confirmation candle needs to close first. Patience reduces false signals.
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Using too short a time frame. On 5-minute candles, most reversal patterns are noise. Daily and 4-hour charts usually produce higher-quality signals.
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Ignoring volume. A Bearish Harami Cross on low volume is a weak signal. Above-average volume makes the reversal more credible. Check the volume bar.