What is a Harami Pattern?

Harami
Forex Trading Glossary

Quick Answer: A harami is a two-candle reversal pattern where a small candle is contained within the previous large candle's range, signaling potential trend exhaustion.

What is a Harami Candlestick Pattern?

A harami is a two-candle pattern where a small real body forms entirely inside the range of the previous large candle. It signals that momentum is stalling and a potential reversal or pause may follow.

Structure of the Pattern

  • First candle: A wide range candle that continues the current trend.
  • Second candle: A small body that opens and closes within the prior candle's body.
  • Bullish harami: Appears after a decline when a small green body forms inside a large red candle.
  • Bearish harami: Forms after a rally when a small red candle sits inside a large green candle.

Confirmation Matters

The harami signals loss of momentum, not an automatic reversal. Traders look for a break above the small candle in bullish setups or below it in bearish setups before participating.

How to Trade Harami Patterns

  • Map nearby support or resistance to frame the setup.
  • Use trend filters like a 50-period moving average to stay aligned with the dominant bias.
  • Combine with oscillators to confirm momentum divergence.
  • Keep stops beyond the outer candle extremes to avoid being shaken out.

Learn More About Forex Trading

Now that you understand harami, explore our comprehensive guides: