Continuation pattern

Bear Flag Pattern

A sharp decline followed by a controlled upward or sideways channel before a possible continuation lower.

Bear Flag Pattern

Original schematic showing the guide's principal visual relationships.

Bear Flag PatternA sharp decline followed by a controlled upward or sideways channel before a possible continuation lower.

Pattern anatomy

A sharp decline followed by a controlled upward or sideways channel before a possible continuation lower.

Strong downward flagpole → shallow rebound flag → break below flag support.

How it works

Identify the prior trend first, mark repeated swing highs and lows, then draw only the support, resistance, or neckline justified by those pivots. A pattern remains provisional until price closes beyond its confirmation boundary; visual resemblance alone is not enough.

How to read it

The rebound should be orderly and recover only part of the decline. A support break can reactivate the original downward impulse.

Confirmation checklist

Confirm a clear impulse before the consolidation, controlled price compression during formation, and a close beyond the continuation boundary. Volume often contracts during the pause and expands on breakout.

Limitations and false signals

A strong recovery with expanding volume may be a reversal, not a flag. The pattern fails when price reclaims the flagpole origin.