The Spinning Top has a small real body (noticeably larger than a Doji) with upper and lower wicks that are roughly equal in length — and both longer than the body itself. It represents indecision but with less intensity than a Doji, often appearing during consolidation or trend pauses.

How to Identify

• Small real body (1/3 or less of the total candle range)
• Upper and lower wicks are roughly equal and longer than the body
• Body color (bullish/bearish) is secondary to the wick structure
• Less extreme than a Doji — signals consolidation more than inflection
• Requires adjacent candle confirmation to establish direction

Market Psychology

Buyers and sellers are roughly matched during the session — neither group has conviction. The meaningful wicks on both sides show that both bulls and bears tested the extremes but neither held. Unlike the Doji's perfect equilibrium, the Spinning Top's small but visible body suggests slight dominance — but not enough to sustain a move.