Mastering the Mat Hold Candlestick Pattern
Candlestick patterns are the language of the markets, and understanding them can significantly enhance your trading strategy. One such pattern that often flies under the radar but packs a powerful punch is the Mat Hold Candlestick Pattern. This versatile pattern can signal both bullish continuation and bearish continuation, making it a valuable tool for Forex traders. If you’re trading on MetaTrader 4 (MT4), recognizing the Mat Hold pattern can help you spot strong trend continuation signals. In this blog post, we’ll explore what the Mat Hold pattern looks like in both its bullish and bearish forms, what it means, and how you can use it to improve your trading decisions.
What is the Mat Hold Candlestick Pattern?
The Mat Hold pattern is a continuation pattern that appears during strong trends. It signals a temporary pause in the market before the trend resumes its movement. There are two types of Mat Hold patterns:
- Bullish Mat Hold: Occurs in an uptrend and signals a continuation of the upward movement.
- Bearish Mat Hold: Occurs in a downtrend and signals a continuation of the downward movement.
This pattern is a favorite among traders because it often indicates that the prevailing trend is strong and likely to continue. It’s a great way to stay in a trade and ride the momentum.
What Does the Mat Hold Candlestick Pattern Look Like?
The Mat Hold pattern consists of five candlesticks, but its appearance varies depending on whether it’s bullish or bearish.
Bullish Mat Hold Pattern:

- First Candle: A long bullish (green) candle, confirming the existing uptrend.
- Next Three Candles: These are smaller bearish (red) candles that move downward but stay within the range of the first candle. These candles represent a brief consolidation or pullback.
- Fifth Candle: Another long bullish (green) candle that breaks above the high of the first candle, signaling the resumption of the uptrend.
Bearish Mat Hold Pattern:

- First Candle: A long bearish (red) candle, confirming the existing downtrend.
- Next Three Candles: These are smaller bullish (green) candles that move upward but stay within the range of the first candle. These candles represent a brief consolidation or pullback.
- Fifth Candle: Another long bearish (red) candle that breaks below the low of the first candle, signaling the resumption of the downtrend.
On your MT4 chart, the Mat Hold pattern will look like a strong trend candle followed by a small pullback, and then a powerful breakout in the direction of the trend.
What Does the Mat Hold Pattern Mean?
The Mat Hold pattern is all about market psychology. Here’s what it could mean when you spot it:
- Strong Trend Continuation: The pattern suggests that the trend is still intact, and the pullback is just a temporary pause. In a bullish Mat Hold, buyers are gathering strength to push the price higher. In a bearish Mat Hold, sellers are regaining control to drive the price lower.
- Confirmation of Momentum: The Mat Hold pattern is a reliable indicator that the market has the momentum to continue its movement in the direction of the trend.
- Temporary Consolidation: The small pullback candles represent a brief period of indecision before the trend resumes.
How to Trade the Mat Hold Pattern on MT4
Here’s a step-by-step guide to trading the Mat Hold Candlestick Pattern on your MetaTrader 4 platform:
Bullish Mat Hold:
- Identify the Pattern:
- Look for an existing uptrend.
- Spot the five-candlestick formation: a long bullish candle, followed by three small bearish candles, and then another long bullish candle.
- Wait for Confirmation:
- Don’t enter the trade until the fifth candle closes above the high of the first candle. This confirms the continuation of the uptrend.
- Set Your Entry and Exit Points:
- Entry: Enter a buy trade after the fifth candle closes.
- Stop Loss: Place your stop loss below the low of the three bearish candles.
- Take Profit: Use Fibonacci extensions, resistance levels, or a risk-reward ratio to set your target.
Bearish Mat Hold:
- Identify the Pattern:
- Look for an existing downtrend.
- Spot the five-candlestick formation: a long bearish candle, followed by three small bullish candles, and then another long bearish candle.
- Wait for Confirmation:
- Don’t enter the trade until the fifth candle closes below the low of the first candle. This confirms the continuation of the downtrend.
- Set Your Entry and Exit Points:
- Entry: Enter a sell trade after the fifth candle closes.
- Stop Loss: Place your stop loss above the high of the three bullish candles.
- Take Profit: Use Fibonacci extensions, support levels, or a risk-reward ratio to set your target.
- Combine with Other Indicators:
- Use tools like moving averages, RSI, or volume indicators to confirm the strength of the trend.
Why is the Mat Hold Pattern Important for Forex Traders?
The Mat Hold Candlestick Pattern is a valuable tool for Forex traders because:
- It helps identify strong continuation signals, allowing you to stay in profitable trades longer.
- It works across multiple timeframes, making it suitable for scalpers, day traders, and swing traders.
- It’s easy to spot on MT4 charts, even for beginners.
Tips for Trading the Mat Hold Pattern
- Trade in the Direction of the Trend: The Mat Hold pattern is most effective in strong trends. Avoid using it in choppy or sideways markets.
- Use Proper Risk Management: Always set a stop loss to protect your capital in case the pattern fails.
- Combine with Other Analysis: While the Mat Hold pattern is reliable, combining it with other technical indicators can increase your chances of success.
Final Thoughts
The Mat Hold Candlestick Pattern is a powerful continuation signal that can help you capitalize on strong trends in the Forex market. Whether you’re trading a bullish Mat Hold in an uptrend or a bearish Mat Hold in a downtrend, this pattern provides clear signals to stay in the trade and ride the momentum. By learning how to identify and trade this pattern on your MT4 charts, you can improve your ability to maximize your profits. Remember, no pattern is 100% accurate, so always use proper risk management and combine the Mat Hold pattern with other analysis tools for the best results.
Happy trading, and may your charts be filled with profitable patterns! 🚀
Meta Description: Learn how to spot and trade the Bullish and Bearish Mat Hold Candlestick Patterns on Forex MT4 charts. Discover what these powerful continuation patterns look like and how they can improve your trading strategy.
Never seen this formation before. Very interesting. Will look through a few charts and report back what I found with this candle pattern.