Welcome future candlestick traders. To succeed in financial markets, you need more than just luck or timing. True success comes from understanding psychology, studying fundamentals, and mastering technical analysis. With knowledge of technical analysis, it becomes possible to accurately understand and evaluate price movements. One of the most widely used analysis methods in this field is technical analysis using candlestick patterns. The combination of candlesticks leads to the formation of various patterns, and these patterns provide valuable information for predicting the future direction of prices. Today, we have decided to discuss the "Dumpling Top" candlestick pattern.
![]() |
| Dumpling Top |
- Topic: Dumpling Top
- Type: bearish
- Trend direction: reversal
- Opposite pattern: Fry Pan Bottom
Dumpling Top Candlestick Pattern Formation
The Dumpling Top pattern gets its name from the resemblance
of its small candlestick bodies to dumplings. Formed through a combination of
various candlesticks, this candlestick series creates a rounded structure at
its top. Typically occurring at the end of an uptrend, the structure of the
candles forming this pattern is as follows:
- The first bullish candles: The pattern usually starts with a series of large green-bodied bullish candles.
- The top candles: These candles (dumplings) are usually small-bodied with long shadows. They can be either bullish (green) or bearish (red) candles. They can also appear as doji candles at times.
- The gap and bearish candles: After the top candles (dumplings) are completed, the down candles appear, and the candle body becomes larger. At this point, a downward gap occurs, and immediately after, a down candle appears.
Thus, the pattern is complete. At this point, there is an
important detail to note. The formation of a gap is crucial in the development
of the Dumpling Top pattern. If a gap does not occur, this situation is
recognized not as a Dumpling Top pattern but rather as a Rounding Top pattern.
Dumpling Top Pattern in Trading
The Dumpling Top candlestick pattern is one of the most eye-catching candlestick patterns used by candlestick traders to identify the possible end of a bullish trend. It often appears when the market has been rising for a long time, and the price starts to slow down before turning downward. For candlestick traders and candlestick readers, this formation is an early warning sign that a reversal pattern may soon take shape.
When you look closely at the chart, the Dumpling Top pattern usually begins with a group of strong green candles showing strong buying activity. After that, the candles become smaller, and their shadows start to grow longer. This means buyers are no longer as active, and the market is losing its upward strength. Finally, a red candle appears after a small gap, and that is where many traders see a clear bearish signal. For beginner candlestick traders, understanding this pattern can make a big difference. When the Dumpling Top forms near the top of an uptrend, it suggests that the market could be ready for a drop. Smart traders often prepare for short trades or protect their profits before prices fall sharply. Some combine this pattern with other tools such as moving averages or support and resistance zones to confirm the signal.
The Dumpling Top candlestick pattern is not just a visual shape on a chart. It is a reflection of how market behavior changes over time. The crowd that once pushed prices up starts to hesitate, and sellers begin to take the lead. For those learning to become better candlestick readers, spotting this formation early can open the door to smarter trading decisions and more consistent results.
- Selling: It is possible to place a sell order below the red candle that forms after the gap within the pattern. If an earlier position is necessary, considering a short position just below the gap may be an option.
- Stop Loss: Placing a stop loss order above the upper part of the pattern's body could be a sensible option.
- Target: The target is determined by the length of the pattern body or twice the length of this length. Additionally, considering the Fibonacci retracement levels and risk/reward ratio, this target can be used to develop trading strategies more effectively and manage probable risks.
Examine the trading example with the Dumpling Top pattern in
the Google Inc. stock chart below:
![]() |
| Dumpling Top trading example, Google Inc. stock chart |
If you want to improve your skills in reading candlestick patterns, studying setups like the Dumpling Top can help you detect turning points before they happen. It is one of the best ways to understand how trends shift and how to trade confidently when the market begins to change direction.
Don't neglect it: The Dumpling Top pattern, like any
pattern, can sometimes be misleading, particularly in the Forex market. It
should be evaluated in conjunction with other technical analysis tools and
market indicators before being used on its own, and risk management strategies
should also be kept in mind.

