⛰️ Learning#02 : Fractals
The Cleanest Clue on a Cluttered Chart
If you like clean charts and smart price behaviour, Fractals are one of those tools that give subtle but powerful signals. They’re not magic. They simply reflect what price is telling you—if you’re willing to listen.
Let’s unpack the concept and learn how to use Fractals like a pro.
🔍 What Is a Fractal in Trading?
In technical analysis, a Fractal is a five-candle pattern that marks a local top or bottom in price. It’s a pure price-action signal that doesn’t rely on lagging indicators.
There are two types of Fractals:
Bearish Fractal (Top): The 3rd candle has the highest high, surrounded by two lower highs on each side.
Bullish Fractal (Bottom): The 3rd candle has the lowest low, flanked by two higher lows on each side.
These formations are Price's way of saying: *"I tried to go further, but couldn't."
📊 What Do Fractals Indicate?
A shift in short-term control (bulls vs. bears)
Minor support or resistance zones
Useful markers for entries, exits, or trailing stop levels
They don't guarantee reversals but are excellent at highlighting where price momentum may pause, reverse, or build structure.
📈 How to Use Fractals – A Practical Guide
Let’s be clear: Fractals are not trade signals by themselves.
Instead, they work best when used in confluence with your strategy. Think of them as tools that:
Help confirm breakout levels
Refine pullback entries
Guide you in drawing cleaner trendlines, fib zones, and support/resistance levels
Assist in identifying swing highs and lows for Dow Theory-style trend analysis
🔗 Fractals + Strategy = Smart Trading
Whether you trade breakouts or mean reversion, Fractals help clarify:
Which highs or lows matter
Where to place stop losses with structure-based logic
How to trail SL as the trade progresses
They quietly organize your chart into readable, tradeable levels.
🚀 Practical Uses of Fractals
Fractals are the first tool I add to any chart—they instantly reveal structure and guide every step of my analysis.
1. Breakout Confirmation
Wait for a candle to close above a bullish fractal high or below a bearish fractal low.
Useful when the market is trending or forming structures like double bottoms/tops.
2. Pullback with Confirmation
Use the fractal zone as a short-term S/R level. If price returns and shows signs of rejection (like an inside bar, wick rejections, or low volume), consider entries based on confirmation.
Great in sideways or swing environments.
3. Trend Structure Validation
Fractals reveal clear pivot highs/lows, helping:
Confirm higher highs/higher lows
Mark structure for trendline drawing
Validate Fib levels or S/R zones
4. Trailing Stop Loss
Update your SL to trail behind the most recent opposite-side fractals.
In longs: SL below new bullish fractals
In shorts: SL above new bearish fractals
This lets you stay in the move while managing risk like a pro.
How it’s Look Like on Chart
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
📝 Final Thoughts
Fractals are like breadcrumbs left by price action. They quietly point to areas where the market faced resistance or found support. Alone, they’re not enough. But in the hands of a price-action trader, they’re incredibly useful.
Used alongside market structure, confirmation signals, and clean charting habits, Fractals become:
⭐ Bonus Tip
Next time you mark a level, Fibonacci or draw a trendline, check if a Fractal confirms it. You’ll be surprised how often it does.
Trade simple. Trade clean.
— Kiran Zatakia
The Cleanest Clue on a Cluttered Chart
If you like clean charts and smart price behaviour, Fractals are one of those tools that give subtle but powerful signals. They’re not magic. They simply reflect what price is telling you—if you’re willing to listen.
Let’s unpack the concept and learn how to use Fractals like a pro.
🔍 What Is a Fractal in Trading?
In technical analysis, a Fractal is a five-candle pattern that marks a local top or bottom in price. It’s a pure price-action signal that doesn’t rely on lagging indicators.
There are two types of Fractals:
Bearish Fractal (Top): The 3rd candle has the highest high, surrounded by two lower highs on each side.
Bullish Fractal (Bottom): The 3rd candle has the lowest low, flanked by two higher lows on each side.
These formations are Price's way of saying: *"I tried to go further, but couldn't."
📊 What Do Fractals Indicate?
A shift in short-term control (bulls vs. bears)
Minor support or resistance zones
Useful markers for entries, exits, or trailing stop levels
They don't guarantee reversals but are excellent at highlighting where price momentum may pause, reverse, or build structure.
📈 How to Use Fractals – A Practical Guide
Let’s be clear: Fractals are not trade signals by themselves.
Instead, they work best when used in confluence with your strategy. Think of them as tools that:
Help confirm breakout levels
Refine pullback entries
Guide you in drawing cleaner trendlines, fib zones, and support/resistance levels
Assist in identifying swing highs and lows for Dow Theory-style trend analysis
🔗 Fractals + Strategy = Smart Trading
Whether you trade breakouts or mean reversion, Fractals help clarify:
Which highs or lows matter
Where to place stop losses with structure-based logic
How to trail SL as the trade progresses
They quietly organize your chart into readable, tradeable levels.
🚀 Practical Uses of Fractals
Fractals are the first tool I add to any chart—they instantly reveal structure and guide every step of my analysis.
1. Breakout Confirmation
Wait for a candle to close above a bullish fractal high or below a bearish fractal low.
Useful when the market is trending or forming structures like double bottoms/tops.
2. Pullback with Confirmation
Use the fractal zone as a short-term S/R level. If price returns and shows signs of rejection (like an inside bar, wick rejections, or low volume), consider entries based on confirmation.
Great in sideways or swing environments.
3. Trend Structure Validation
Fractals reveal clear pivot highs/lows, helping:
Confirm higher highs/higher lows
Mark structure for trendline drawing
Validate Fib levels or S/R zones
4. Trailing Stop Loss
Update your SL to trail behind the most recent opposite-side fractals.
In longs: SL below new bullish fractals
In shorts: SL above new bearish fractals
This lets you stay in the move while managing risk like a pro.
How it’s Look Like on Chart
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Trading every fractal blindly
- Ignoring price context or trend
- Relying on fractals in low-volume, choppy markets
📝 Final Thoughts
Fractals are like breadcrumbs left by price action. They quietly point to areas where the market faced resistance or found support. Alone, they’re not enough. But in the hands of a price-action trader, they’re incredibly useful.
Used alongside market structure, confirmation signals, and clean charting habits, Fractals become:
- Trend identifiers
- Entry enhancers
- Stop loss trail markers
⭐ Bonus Tip
Next time you mark a level, Fibonacci or draw a trendline, check if a Fractal confirms it. You’ll be surprised how often it does.
Trade simple. Trade clean.
— Kiran Zatakia
Blogs : substack.com/@kzatakia
Related publications
Disclaimer
The information and publications are not meant to be, and do not constitute, financial, investment, trading, or other types of advice or recommendations supplied or endorsed by TradingView. Read more in the Terms of Use.
Blogs : substack.com/@kzatakia
Related publications
Disclaimer
The information and publications are not meant to be, and do not constitute, financial, investment, trading, or other types of advice or recommendations supplied or endorsed by TradingView. Read more in the Terms of Use.