Bullish Marubozu — candlestick pattern
bullish reversal signal · 1 candle · reliability 4/5
A large green candle with virtually no wicks, showing clean buyer dominance from the open through the close.
Marubozu means “bald” in Japanese, referring to a candle with little or no shadow. In a Bullish Marubozu, the open is near the period low, the close is near the high, and buying pressure controls the move throughout the session. It is one of the strongest single-candle bullish signals. It can mark the start of a new move, especially when it appears above support or during a breakout through resistance.
What does it signal? A Bullish Marubozu at the end of a downtrend can signal a potential reversal — sellers pushed price lower, but buyers took control.
When is it reliable? At a strong support level, with above-average volume and a confirming green candle in the next period.
When to avoid it? In sideways markets and on very short time frames such as 1-minute or 5-minute charts, where noise is high and the signal is statistically weak.
Anatomy and identification rules
Candle anatomy
- 1
Large green body, typically 1.5–2 times the average candle size
- 2
No upper wick or a very short one, up to 5% of the body
- 3
No lower wick or a very short one, up to 5% of the body
- 4
Opens at the low and closes at the high
Identification rules
- The body is larger than the average size of the previous 10 candles
- Both wicks are no more than 5% of the body
- The stronger signal appears after consolidation or on a breakout through resistance
- High volume confirms the signal
- A Marubozu that starts with a gap is especially significant
Pattern in chart context
What it says about the market
Context of appearance: The Bullish Marubozu can signal trend continuation or the start of a reversal. It carries more weight at breakout points, especially when resistance turns into support and volume expands.
Market psychology in three steps
- 1
Downtrend Remains in Control. Several candles form lower highs and lower lows. Sellers control the market, and sentiment remains negative.
- 2
Bullish Marubozu Forms. Selling pressure fades and buyers return. Price is driven back toward the top of the session, creating the possibility of a reversal.
- 3
Confirmation Arrives. The next candle closes with a green body, ideally on high volume. Sentiment has shifted, and a new uptrend may begin.
Same shape, opposite meaning
The Bullish Marubozu and the Bearish Marubozu 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 Bullish Marubozu is most meaningful near the end of a downtrend. In a sideways market or an existing uptrend, the same pattern can carry a different message, so read the trend first.
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Entering as Soon as the Pattern Closes. The pattern itself is not an entry trigger. Waiting for a confirming green candle to close filters out more false signals.
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Using Too Short a Time Frame. On 5-minute candles, many reversal patterns are just noise. Daily and 4-hour charts tend to produce cleaner signals.
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Ignoring Volume. A Bullish Marubozu on low volume is a weak signal. Above-average volume makes the reversal more credible, so check the volume bar.