7/16/2019 What is a Triangle Pattern In Elliott Wave Theory and How do you Trade it?

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What is a Triangle Pattern In Elliott Wave Theory and How do

you Trade it?
Dec 30, 2017 2:34 am +05:30
by  Jeremy Wagner, CEWA-M (/authors/bio/Jeremy_Wagner) ,  Senior Strategist   ()

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TALKING POINTS

What is a triangle pattern in technical analysis

How is the pattern constructed
How and at what points in the pattern do you trade a triangle

Elliott Wave triangles are corrective patterns that consolidate the previous trend. Elliott Wave
triangles consist of ve waves labeled a-b-c-d-e. There are rules and three guidelines in the
construction and identi cation of Elliott Wave triangles.


RULE #1: THE SUB WAVES OF THE TRIANGLE DIVIDE AS 3-3-3-3-3

If you zoom in on the construction of the triangle, you should be able to identify three wave corrective
moves for each of the ve waves. (See image below)

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(https://a.c-dn.net/b/20v5Zl/a-triangle-pattern-in-technical-analysis_body_1.png.full.png)

RULE #2: THE SUB WAVES MUST BE ZIGZAGS, MULTIPLE ZIGZAGS, OR TRIANGLES.

I have mentioned many times before how the zigzag is one of the building blocks for the Elliott Wave
patterns. At least four of the waves must be zigzags. One wave can be more complex like a multiple
zigzag or even another triangle.

RULE #3: WAVE ‘C’ CANNOT MOVE BEYOND THE ENDING PRICE OF WAVE ‘A’

RULE #4: WAVE ‘D’ CANNOT MOVE BEYOND THE ENDING PRICE OF WAVE ‘B’

RULE #5: WAVE ‘E’ CANNOT MOVE BEYOND THE ENDING PRICE OF WAVE ‘C’

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On each of the rules above, the nal three waves of the triangle become progressively shorter than the
previous wave. As a result, when you draw trend lines connecting the wave extremes, the pattern takes
shape of a triangle.

There are three guidelines to identifying a triangle. First, triangles are found in only certain points in
the wave structure. Most triangles appear as the second to last wave of the larger sequence. For
example, in an impulse, a triangle may appear in the fourth wave position, which is the second to last
wave of the ve-wave impulse. Triangles may appear in the ‘B’ wave of a zigzag, which is the second to
last wave of the A-B-C zigzag sequence.

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7/16/2019 What is a Triangle Pattern In Elliott Wave Theory and How do you Trade it?

Typical spots in the wave structure where you might nd a triangle:

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Fourth wave of an impulse wave
‘B’ waves of a zigzag pattern
‘X’ of ‘Z’ waves of complex combinations
‘Y’ waves of a W-X-Y combination

Therefore, when you correctly identify a triangle, it can tip you off as to the larger wave sequence
because it provides a warning that the next move is likely an ending wave!

Another guideline in triangle construction is that the ‘B’ wave tends to retrace approximately 61-161%
of wave ‘A’. If the ‘B’ wave overshoots and retraces 100% or more of wave ‘A’, then it is considered a
running triangle. Running triangles are seen as strong indicators of a powerful trend. The trend was so
powerful that the ‘B’ wave shot to a new price extreme.

Lastly, sometimes you can estimate termination points of the some of the waves in the triangle by
comparing the current wave to its alternate wave. For example, you might nd wave ‘C’ to be 61.8% or
78.6% the length of wave ‘A’. A similar ratio might be realized for wave ‘D’ compared to wave ‘B’ or wave
‘E’ compared to wave ‘C’.

TRADING TRIANGLES

The best way to trade an Elliott Wave triangle is to anticipate the end of wave ‘E’. Sometimes this is
easier said than done. To estimate the end of wave ‘E’, use the estimation guideline noted above by
measuring the length of wave ‘C’ and nding that level where wave ‘E’ is 61% or 78% of its length.

Also, draw a trend line connecting the wave ‘A’ and wave ‘C’ extremes. Many times, wave ‘E’ draws close
and sometimes even overshoots that trend line. Stop loss and risk on the trade is placed at the wave ‘C’
price extreme.

Price targets can be found by projecting a fth wave price measurement (in an impulse) or equal wave
price measurement (in a zigzag). This typically yields a one to two risk to reward ratio or better.

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7/16/2019 What is a Triangle Pattern In Elliott Wave Theory and How do you Trade it?

(https://a.c-dn.net/b/2sj4JS/a-triangle-pattern-in-technical-analysis_body_2.png.full.png)

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CONCLUSION

In conclusion, I hope you found this article helpful in improving your understanding of Elliott Wave
theory. I use triangles to help uncover the larger wave structure since they only appear in certain
points. Additionally, if you devote your time to study Impulse waves and zigzag waves you will nd most
of the patterns in Elliott Wave Theory have impulses, zigzags, and triangles in them. As a result, you
should be able to identify some trading opportunities without much study on the other patterns.

We have other resources to help you further your study on the Elliott Wave patterns and how to trade
them. We have a beginner and advanced Elliott Wave trading guides
(https://www.dailyfx.com/free_guide-tg.html?ref-author=Wagner) that covers the common patterns.

READ MORE:

Elliott Wave Patterns: What is a Zigzag?

(https://www.dailyfx.com/forex/education/trading_tips/daily_trading_lesson/2016/05/30/Elliott-
Wave-Patterns-What-is-a-Zigzag-JWedu.html?ref-author=wagner)

What is the Impulse Wave Pattern and How do you Trade it?
(https://www.dailyfx.com/forex/education/trading_tips/trend_of_the_day/2017/12/22/Elliott-wave-
impulse-JWedu.html)

3 Elliott Wave Flat Patterns to Know and Understand

(https://www.dailyfx.com/forex/education/trading_tips/daily_trading_lesson/2017/09/04/3-Types-of-
Elliott-Wave-Flat-Patterns-to-Know-JWedu.html?ref-author=Wagner)

---Written by Jeremy Wagner (https://www.dailyfx.com/authors/bio/Jeremy_Wagner), CEWA-M

Jeremy Wagner is a Certi ed Elliott Wave Analyst with a Master’s designation. You can follow his
Elliott Wave analysis via regularly published articles
(https://www.dailyfx.com/authors/bio/Jeremy_Wagner) and through his US Opening Bell webinar
(https://www.dailyfx.com/registerToSeminar?webinar=3770113599872496899).

For more in depth study on Elliott wave patterns, we have these on-hour webinar recordings:

Elliott Wave Impulse Patterns

(https://www.dailyfx.com/forex/education/trading_tips/daily_trading_lesson/2017/02/07/Forex-
webinar-Elliott-Wave-Impulses-9-JWweb.html)

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7/16/2019 What is a Triangle Pattern In Elliott Wave Theory and How do you Trade it?

Elliott Wave Zigzag Patterns

(https://www.dailyfx.com/forex/education/trading_tips/daily_trading_lesson/2017/02/14/forex-
(//www.dailyfx.com/)
webinar-elliott-wave-11-JWweb.html)

Elliott Wave Flat Patterns

(https://www.dailyfx.com/forex/education/trading_tips/daily_trading_lesson/2017/02/21/Forex-
webinar-Elliott-Wave-13-JWweb.html)

Elliott Wave Triangle Patterns

(https://www.dailyfx.com/forex/education/trading_tips/daily_trading_lesson/2017/02/28/forex-
elliott-wave-15-JWweb.html)

Elliott Wave Diagonal Patterns

(https://www.dailyfx.com/forex/education/trading_tips/daily_trading_lesson/2017/03/31/elliott-wave-
diagonals-webinar-19-JWweb.html)

Starting Your Elliott Wave Counting

(https://www.dailyfx.com/forex/education/trading_tips/daily_trading_lesson/2017/04/05/Webinar-
Elliott-Wave-getting-started-21-JWweb.html)

DailyFX (/) provides forex news and technical analysis on the trends that influence the global currency markets.

DISCLOSURES (/conflict-disclosures)

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