A group of traders from all over the world have long been drawn to butterfly harmonic patterns. To gain a competitive edge in the market, it is crucial to learn them. The two types of harmonic patterns are as follows. External is the first type, and internal is the second. Butterfly and crab patterns are examples of external harmonic patterns. Gartley and Bat patterns are among the internal harmonic patterns. Let’s talk about profitable Butterfly pattern trading in this article.

Butterfly patterns are still the most common harmonic patterns even though there are many others. Here is a detailed explanation of butterfly patterns to assist traders in fully comprehending what they are, how they operate, and how to use them.

What is the Butterfly pattern?

The Butterfly is a reversal chart pattern that belongs to the Harmonic pattern subcategory. The pattern, which denotes price consolidation, frequently appears at the conclusion of a protracted price move.

Traders can use the Forex Butterfly pattern to identify the conclusion of a trending move and establish the starting point of a correction or new trend phase. This pattern can frequently be found in the final wave (Wave 5) of an impulse sequence, referred to as an Elliott wave. Bryce Gilmore and Larry Pesavento first identified the pattern. It typically appears near the market’s extreme lows and highs and signals a reversal.

Four legs, X-A, A-B, B-C, and C-D, make up the butterfly pattern. It aids traders in predicting when a current price movement is most likely nearing its end. This implies that traders can buy or sell as the price fluctuates.

Structure of the Butterfly Formation

The Butterfly pattern has four price swings and resembles the letters “M” (in downtrends) and “W” in an appearance on the chart (in uptrends). It can occasionally be mistaken for a Double Top or Double Bottom pattern as it develops.

But the Butterfly doesn’t always follow a trend, despite the fact that it frequently does. On the other hand, for best results, you do want to see the Double Top or Bottom appear only after a sustained move. 

Fibonacci And The Butterfly Pattern

For the proper identification of the Butterfly pattern, there are specific Fibonacci levels that are essential. As you may be aware, harmonic pattern trading heavily relies on Fibonacci relationships, and the Butterfly is no exception. You must confirm that the formation’s price swings match up with specific Fibonacci levels in order to confidently identify a real Butterfly chart pattern.

XA: In its bearish form, the first leg is formed when the price rapidly decreases from point X to point A.

AB: The A-B leg then detects the price change in direction and retraces 78.6% of the X-A axis’s travel.

BC: In the B-C leg, the price reverses course once more and moves downward, retracing 38.2 to 88.6 percent of the A-B leg’s distance traveled.

CD: The final and most important component of this pattern is the C-D axis. Similar to the Bat and Gartley patterns, the butterfly pattern also requires an AB=CD structure to be complete, but the C-D leg mainly extends to create a 127 or 161.8 percent extension of the A-B leg. Traders would aim to enter the pattern at point D.

Trade entry orders for the butterfly pattern are typically placed at the point where the C-D leg has reached a 127 percent Fibonacci extension of the X-A leg, which is a significant difference from the Bat or Gartley patterns. Of the pattern, it is the longest leg. Point D typically needs to demonstrate an extension of the B-C leg of 161.8 to 261.8 percent.

How To Trade With The Butterfly Harmonic Pattern?

Verify the pattern’s validity using the following checklist before trading the butterfly harmonic patterns. The next essential components should be present:

AB: 78.6% of the XA leg would be the ideal percentage.

BC: Maximum 88.6 percent and a minimum of 38.2 percent Retracement of the AB leg in Fibonacci

CD: The target between 1.272 and 1.618 of the XA leg is a Fibonacci extension of the AB leg.

Entry Point

The pattern’s completion at point D will occur at the 127 percent extension of the X-A leg, so locate that location.

Stop-loss

Set a stop-loss order just below the X-A leg’s 161.8 percent Fibonacci extension.

Take profit Target

With this pattern, where to set a take-profit target is entirely up to you and is determined by both your trading objectives and the market’s circumstances. Put your profit target at point A of the pattern if you want it to be aggressive. Put it at point B for a more conservative profit goal.

Bearish Butterfly Harmonic Pattern

Put a sell order in at point D. (a 127 percent extension of the XA leg). Place the stop-loss just above a 161.8% extension of the XA leg. Additionally, set the profit target for an offensive move at A and for a defensive move at B.

Bullish Butterfly Harmonic Pattern

Identify point D, which extends 127 percent of the XA leg, as the pattern’s end. At this point, you must place a buy order. A stop-loss can now be set below a Fibonacci extension of the XA leg which is 161.8 percent. Setting a profit target is based on your trading objectives as well as market conditions.

Gartley pattern Comparison

The Gartley pattern and the butterfly are similar in that they both have five points and four legs. The butterfly is an extension pattern rather than a retracement pattern, which means that point D of the pattern extends beyond the pattern’s initial starting point X. This is one of several significant differences. When describing a Gartley pattern, D denotes a turn back in the direction of X rather than an extension beyond.

Statistics also show that a butterfly pattern has a higher success rate for trades than a Gartley pattern. Reversals that occur after the butterfly has been completed are also sharper, which is another thing to take into account.

End Note

You should never undervalue the effectiveness of chart patterns as trading analysis tools, regardless of whether you are an experienced trader or a novice. They are essential for identifying entry and exit points as well as signaling a change in direction or continuation of the current trend. Particularly butterfly patterns can be useful in predicting when price movements will end.

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