The Gravestone Doji is a bearish candlestick pattern that appears in Forex trading and other financial markets. It is named after its distinctive appearance, which is characterized by a long upper shadow and a small body at the bottom of the candle. The Gravestone Doji is believed to have been identified by a Japanese rice trader named Homma Munehisa in the 18th century.
In the market, the Gravestone Doji typically appears after an uptrend and signals a potential reversal in the trend. The pattern is created when the opening and closing prices of a security are equal or nearly equal, while the high price of the period is much higher than the open and close. This creates a long upper shadow, which gives the pattern its gravestone-like appearance.
What is the Gravestone Doji?
The Gravestone Doji is often seen as a sign of indecision or a lack of direction in the market. When this pattern appears, traders may interpret it as a sign that the bulls (buyers) are losing control and that the bears (sellers) may be gaining strength. This can be a signal to traders to either exit long positions or enter short positions in anticipation of a downward trend.
Characteristics of the Gravestone Doji strategy include:
- A long upper shadow and small body at the bottom of the candle.
- Appearance after an uptrend.
- Indecision or lack of direction in the market.
Three points that support the Gravestone Doji strategy are:
- It signals a potential trend reversal.
- It can indicate a shift in market sentiment.
- It may provide an opportunity for traders to enter or exit positions.
To illustrate how the Gravestone Doji can apply to the Forex market, consider the EUR/GBP currency pair. If the EUR/GBP pair is in an uptrend and a Gravestone Doji appears on the chart, it may be a sign that the uptrend is losing momentum and that a downward trend may be on the horizon. This could be a signal to traders to exit long positions or consider entering short positions.
Characteristics of the Gravestone Doji As Follows:
- A Gravestone Doji appears after an uptrend.
- The open and close prices are equal or nearly equal.
- The high price is significantly higher than the open and close.
Gravestone Doji Strategy
Sell Signal
- The Gravestone Doji appears on the chart after an uptrend.
- The open and close prices are equal or nearly equal.
- The high price is significantly higher than the open and close, indicating a potential shift in market sentiment.

Gravestone Doji Pros & Cons
Pros
- The Gravestone Doji pattern can potentially signal a change in the current trend.
- The appearance of the Gravestone Doji may provide traders with an opportunity to adjust their positions in the market.
- The Gravestone Doji can assist traders in detecting changes in market sentiment.
Cons
- The Gravestone Doji strategy may not always be accurate in predicting trend reversals.
- The effectiveness of the Gravestone Doji strategy may vary depending on market conditions.
- To get the most out of the Gravestone Doji strategy, it is recommended to use it in combination with other technical analysis tools and techniques.
Conclusion
The Gravestone Doji is a useful tool for traders to identify potential trend reversals and shifts in market sentiment. It can be a valuable addition to a trader’s toolkit, but it should not be relied upon solely and should be used in conjunction with other technical analysis techniques. By being aware of the Gravestone Doji and other candlestick patterns, traders can potentially improve their trading results and earn more, than lossing their money in trading forex.

Self-confessed Forex Geek spending my days researching and testing everything forex related. I have many years of experience in the forex industry having reviewed thousands of forex robots, brokers, strategies, courses and more. I share my knowledge with you for free to help you learn more about the crazy world of forex trading! Read more about me.