How to recognize it
- Appears after a decline.
- The first candle is long and bearish.
- The second candle is small and its body sits inside the first candle's body. It is usually, but not necessarily, bullish.
- If the second candle is a doji, the pattern is called a harami cross.
What it suggests
Harami means "pregnant" in Japanese: a small candle carried inside a large one. Strong selling is followed by a much quieter session that stays within it. Momentum has stalled; the decline may be pausing or preparing to turn.
Where it matters
Most useful at support. It is a weaker statement than an engulfing pattern, because buyers have not yet taken control, only stopped the selling.
Educational content only. Candlestick patterns describe past price action. They do not predict future prices, and they are not trading signals or investment advice. Prices in the diagrams are illustrative.