How to Trade The Shark Harmonic Pattern

The shark candlestick pattern is a new harmonic chart pattern discovered in 2011 by Scott Carney that indicates a trend reversal possibility. So far, the pattern has been proven highly accurate and can be used by traders to identify trend reversals and find successful trading opportunities.

In this article, we will explore the harmonic shark pattern and help you learn how to identify and trade this chart technical analysis chart pattern. Keep reading to learn more.

What is the Shark Harmonic Candlestick Pattern?

Discovered by Scott Carney in 2011, the Shark harmonic pattern is a five-leg reversal pattern largely dependent upon the powerful 88.6% retracement level and the 113% reciprocal ratio. In addition, it has a chart formation called an Extreme Harmonic Impulse wave, which looks like the M letter for a bullish shark pattern and W for a bearish shark pattern.

As with other harmonic chart patterns, the shark harmonic candlestick formation must meet several Fibonacci ratios to be valid. It also aims to predict future price movements using previous price swings and geometric shapes.

However, Scott Carney used another method for the famous five swing harmonic pattern points. Unlike other harmonic patterns with the following swing points – X, A, B, C, and – Carney developed another method for the shark harmonic pattern using these price points – O, X, A, B, and C.

Apart from the different swing point labeling and the unique Fibonacci ratio Carney invented for the shark pattern, it is similar in structure to the Cypher pattern, the Bat pattern, and the Crab pattern. To learn how to correctly identify harmonic formations, many traders use a downloadable harmonic patterns cheat sheet.

How to Identify and Use the Shark Harmonic Pattern in Forex Trading?

To identify the shark harmonic pattern, you first need to know its characteristics. As we previously mentioned, the Shark pattern has a five-point price swing structure (O, X, A, B, and C), with four legs labeled differently than other harmonic candlestick patterns (OX, XA, AB, and BC). 

What’s more, the shark pattern must meet the following conditions to be valid:

• AB leg retraces between 113% to 161.8% Fibonacci ratio of XA leg
• The BC leg extends beyond the O point by 113% Fibonacci ratio of the OX leg
• The BC price swing is an extension of 161.8% to 224% of the XA wave 
• The length from O to C is 88% to 113%
• The CD leg is at 50% of the Fibonacci retracement level of the BC leg

Crucially, drawing the shark pattern manually means you‘ll have to spend a great deal of time and effort as you need to calculate the ratios on your own. Alternatively, you can use a built-in harmonic shark indicator available on some popular trading platforms (including the MetaTrader4).

However, if you are using TradingView, keep in mind that the popular charting software does not come with a shark harmonic indicator, however, you can use the XABCD pattern tool for that purpose. 

Taking the above into consideration, let’s see an example of a bullish shark pattern:

As you can see in the GBP/USD daily chart above, the bullish shark pattern is formed following a bearish trend with four price swings and five points (the labeling is different as we are using TradingView charting software). When the market reaches the D point, the pattern is confirmed and the price ultimately reverses. 

How to Trade Forex Using the Shark Harmonic Candlestick Pattern – Strategies and Examples

Trading the shark pattern has the same goal as many other harmonic chart patterns. You are looking for a trend reversal in the price action following four price swings and the assumption that the price is about to reverse. 

Regarding the trading technique when using TradingView charts, the difference between the shark pattern and the XABCD tool is that the entry-level is taken on point C rather than point D. Take profit is then placed on the D point, and the shark pattern also has another well-defined stop loss level at the 113% Fib level XA leg.

Keep in mind that the shark harmonic pattern is better suited for short-term gains rather than trying to capture long-term moves. So, with that in mind, let’s take the example above and show you a step-by-step process to trade the harmonic shark pattern.

1. Shark Pattern – Find an Entry Point

While trading the shark harmonic pattern, you’ll be looking to enter a trade at point C (in our chart point D). This is because the O to C (D to X in our chart) retracement can be between 88.6% to 113%, so as soon as you can see that this condition is satisfied, you can enter a buying trade at point C (D in our chart).

But, before you do that, it’s also essential to confirm the reversal with other trend reversal technical indicators. Two such technical indicators are the RSI and MACD, which assist in finding whether the existing trend is losing momentum.

The next step is to draw Fibonacci retracements from the X to A point. As a reminder, when trading the shark pattern, the entry point is at 88.6% of OX (XD in our chart). This level represents an exhaustion mode where sellers cannot push prices lower and indicate the possibility of a price reversal. 

2. Shark Pattern – Set a Stop Loss

After entering a trade, the next step is to set your stop. There are various methods to determine where the stop loss should be placed with the shark pattern – The most common method is to place a stop loss at point C (D in our chart), which is a very tight stop loss and can be easily triggered. However, the logic behind placing the stop loss at this level is that a break below the D point will automatically invalidate the Shark pattern.

In addition, you can also use the protective stop loss at the 113% Fibonacci extension of the XA leg if you prefer a more flexible stop loss level (as you can see in the chart below).

3. Shark Pattern – Set a Take Profit Target

Finally, the last step is to set a target for profits. Once again, another advantage of the shark harmonic pattern is that it has a clear take profit target at the 50% to 61.8% Fib ratio of the BC swing leg. The second and third TP levels can be placed at the A and C levels. 

The Shark Harmonic Pattern – Pros and Cons

Below you can check the pros and cons of trading the shark pattern.

Everything About the Shark Harmonic Pattern in One Video

You can check this video by our trading analysts on how to identify and trade the harmonic shark pattern.

To sum up, here are the most important factors to consider when using shark harmonic patterns:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about the harmonic shark pattern in forex:

What’s the difference between the Cypher pattern and the shark pattern?

The Cypher and shark patterns are almost identical in structure and appearance. However, the most notable differences between the two are the Fibonacci ratios between X to B points (113%-161%) compared to A to C in the Cypher pattern (127%-141%), and the O to C ratio of 88%-113% of the Shark pattern compared to 78.6% in the Cypher pattern. 

How to draw the shark harmonic pattern?

Although it is possible to draw the harmonic shark pattern manually using some basic drawing tools available on any trading platform, drawing the shark pattern requires a lot of time and effort. For that reason, it’s best to use a custom built-in shark harmonic indicator that automatically draws the lines with the appropriate Fibonacci ratios. For those using the MetaTrader4 or MetaTrader5, there’s an option to purchase the harmonic shark indicator and install it on your MT platform. 

Is the shark harmonic pattern bullish or bearish?

A shark harmonic pattern can be either bullish or bearish. As long as the pattern is formed at the end of a trend and has the specific Fibonacci ratios to confirm the pattern, then the formation is indeed a harmonic shark pattern.