Candlestick Basics
Candlestick body vs wick
A candle body shows the distance between open and close. A wick shows where price travelled beyond that body before returning. Reading the two together is more useful than giving either part a fixed bullish or bearish label.
June 2, 2026 · 6 min read · Educational synthetic-market content
The body records the close
A wide body usually means the period closed far from where it opened. A small body means the open and close were close together. Neither guarantees the next candle, but both describe how decisively the period finished.
The upper and lower wicks add the missed part of the story: the prices tested during the candle but not retained at the close.
Compare, do not isolate
At a range edge, a long wick can matter more than a body. In the middle of a range, the same shape may add very little.
Mistakes to avoid
- •Calling every large body a breakout without checking resistance.
- •Treating a wick as a reversal promise.
- •Ignoring where the candle closed inside its full range.
- •Making a decision before defining invalidation.
Practise the comparison
In a TradeTrainer scenario, pause after each revealed candle. Note body size, wick direction, close location and nearby support or resistance. Choose BUY, SHORT or WAIT only after writing what would weaken the idea.
TradeTrainer uses fictional instruments and synthetic OHLC candles for education. This is not financial advice, a recommendation, or a promise about trading outcomes.
Common questions
FAQ
Does a long wick override the body?+
No. Both are evidence. The location, close and follow-through determine how useful the candle is.
Conclusion
Keep the process visible.
Bodies show commitment at the close; wicks show attempted prices. Practise describing both before trying to predict what comes next.
TradeTrainer uses synthetic practice scenarios and fictional instruments only. This article is educational content, not financial advice or a trade recommendation.
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