Inverted Hammer vs Shooting Star
A detailed side-by-side comparison of the Inverted Hammer and Shooting Star chart patterns.
A bullish reversal candle with a small body at the bottom and a long upper shadow, found at the bottom of downtrends.
Best for
Potential bullish reversal at support
A bearish reversal candle with a small body at the bottom and a long upper shadow, found at the top of uptrends.
Best for
Bearish reversal at resistance
Key Differences
- Identical shape but opposite context
- Inverted Hammer appears in downtrends (bullish); Shooting Star in uptrends (bearish)
- Shooting Star is more reliable than Inverted Hammer
- Both have small bodies at the bottom with long upper shadows
- Inverted Hammer shows tentative buying; Shooting Star shows rejection of highs
When to Use Inverted Hammer
Use Inverted Hammer at the bottom of a downtrend as a potential bullish reversal signal. The long upper shadow shows buyers tried to push higher. Requires bullish confirmation the next candle.
When to Use Shooting Star
Use Shooting Star at the top of an uptrend as a bearish reversal signal. The long upper shadow shows sellers rejected higher prices aggressively. More reliable than Inverted Hammer.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I tell an Inverted Hammer from a Shooting Star?▾
They look identical — the difference is context. Inverted Hammer appears after a downtrend (bullish), while Shooting Star appears after an uptrend (bearish). Always check the preceding trend.
Why is the Shooting Star more reliable?▾
The long upper shadow in an uptrend shows active selling rejection at higher prices, which is a stronger signal than the Inverted Hammer's tentative buying attempt in a downtrend.