Chart Patterns: Triangles, Head & Shoulders, and More

Chart patterns are like the shapes that price makes over time. Traders watch these shapes to guess what price might do next. Think of it like reading body language — price is telling you if it’s tired, strong, or about to move.

🔺 Triangles

Triangles happen when price starts to squeeze between support and resistance lines. Eventually, the pressure builds up, and price usually breaks out in one direction.

1) Ascending Triangle (bullish bias) — Flat top where resistance doesn’t break, rising bottom where support keeps moving higher, shows buyers are pushing harder each time. 👉 Often breaks upward.

2) Descending Triangle (bearish bias) — Flat bottom where support holds, falling top with lower highs each time, shows sellers are pushing harder. 👉 Often breaks downward.

3) Symmetrical Triangle (neutral) — Both highs and lows squeeze together and it could break either way; traders wait for confirmation.

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Head & Shoulders

One of the most famous reversal patterns.

Head & Shoulders (bearish reversal) — Left shoulder is a small peak, head is a taller peak, right shoulder is another small peak, neckline is support under the pattern. 👉 If price breaks below the neckline, it often signals a bigger move down.

Inverse Head & Shoulders (bullish reversal) — Same shape but flipped upside down, shows sellers getting weaker and buyers taking over. 👉 If price breaks above the neckline, it often signals a bigger move up.

📉 Double Tops & Double Bottoms

Double Top (bearish) — Price tests the same high twice, fails to break through, suggests sellers are strong at that level. 👉 Often signals a downward reversal.

Double Bottom (bullish) — Price tests the same low twice, buyers step in both times, suggests sellers are exhausted. 👉 Often signals an upward reversal.

📊 Flags & Pennants

These patterns happen after a strong move called a pole. Flag: Price moves sideways in a small rectangle after a big move. Pennant: Price squeezes in a small triangle after a big move. 👉 Both usually continue in the same direction as the pole.

📝 Example

Imagine Tesla stock shoots up from $200 to $250, the pole, then drifts sideways in a small box. That’s a bullish flag, and many traders expect another move higher once price breaks out of the box.

🚫 Common Mistakes

Thinking patterns are guarantees — they’re just clues. Ignoring volume, since strong breakouts usually come with higher trading volume. Forcing shapes — don’t draw a triangle where it doesn’t fit.

🎯 Quick Takeaways

Triangles show pressure building before a breakout. Head & Shoulders signal reversals. Double tops and double bottoms show strong rejection or support. Flags and pennants usually mean continuation of a move. Patterns don’t work every time, but they help traders put the puzzle together. Combined with support, resistance, and risk management, they can give you a powerful edge.

🔑 Next in Charting & Price Analysis: Volume Basics: Why Volume Confirms Price Action