Three white soldiers and three black crows

Three white soldiers and three black crows are candlestick patterns made up of three consecutive strong candles in the same direction, used to signal a potential reversal after a decline or an advance. Both patterns rely on the same underlying logic, that three consecutive sessions of consistent, decisive momentum in one direction is a stronger signal of a genuine shift than any single candle could provide on its own.

Three white soldiers form after a downtrend and consist of three long green or light candles in a row, each opening within the body of the previous candle and closing at or near its high, with relatively short wicks. Each candle should close higher than the last, showing a steady, orderly advance rather than an erratic spike. This pattern suggests that buyers have taken firm and sustained control after a period of selling. Three black crows is the mirror image, forming after an uptrend and consisting of three long red or dark candles in a row, each opening within the body of the previous candle and closing near its low, showing sellers steadily gaining control after a period of buying.

Because each pattern requires three consecutive sessions of consistent behavior, they are generally considered more reliable reversal signals than a single candlestick pattern, though traders still watch for warning signs that can undercut the signal, such as candles with unusually large bodies relative to the recent trading range, which can suggest the move is overextended and due for a pause rather than the start of a durable new trend. As with other candlestick signals, volume and the broader trend context are typically used to confirm the pattern before acting on it.