Spinning Top

Anatomy

A spinning top has a small real body centered in the range, with upper and lower wicks of roughly similar length. It is like a doji with a slightly larger body — open and close are close but not identical.

Market psychology

Both buyers and sellers pushed hard during the session — the long wicks show the swings — but neither could hold the move, so the candle closed near where it opened. It is a snapshot of a balanced battle.

When it matters

Alone it means little; in a range you see many. Its value comes after a strong trend, where a spinning top warns that momentum is stalling and a reversal or consolidation may follow. Confirm with the next candle.

Common beginner mistakes

• Trading every spinning top as a reversal — most are just pauses within ongoing moves.
• Ignoring location; a spinning top at support, resistance, or after a sharp run is far more informative than one mid-range.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a spinning top and a doji?

Both show indecision. A doji has almost no body (open ≈ close). A spinning top has a small but visible body with long wicks on both sides. The spinning top shows a little more directional struggle; the doji is pure balance.

Is a spinning top bullish or bearish?

Neither on its own — it is neutral and signals indecision. Its meaning depends entirely on where it appears and what the next candle does. After a strong trend at a key level it can warn of a pause or reversal.