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Elliott Impulse Wave (Bearish)

Elliott Impulse Wave (Bearish) / 5-Wave Impulse (Bearish)

IntermediateElliott WaveBearish (Down)Reliability 70%

Pattern Formation

71 / 71 candles
3,5653,3633,1612,9582,7562,55401/0101/0901/1701/2502/0202/1002/1802/2603/05
Speed

Statistics

Target Hit Rate
65%
Average Move
22%
Failure Rate
14%
Avg Formation Days
80 days
Volume Confirmation Boost
+12%

General reference values based on Elliott Wave Theory. Actual success rates vary significantly depending on market conditions, timeframe, and instrument.

The fundamental pattern of Elliott Wave Theory, consisting of 5 waves (1-2-3-4-5) in the downtrend direction. Odd waves (1, 3, 5) are bearish impulse waves in the trend direction, while even waves (2, 4) are bullish corrective waves against the trend. The internal structure is 5-3-5-3-5. Wave 3 is typically the longest, often accompanied by panic selling with the highest volume. In a bearish impulse, the five waves progressively make lower lows, completing at Wave 5's bottom.

Formation Conditions

  • Five waves must form in the clear downtrend direction
  • Wave 2 must not retrace beyond Wave 1's starting point (Inviolable Rule 1)
  • Wave 3 must not be the shortest among impulse waves 1, 3, 5 (Inviolable Rule 2)
  • Wave 4 must not enter Wave 1's price territory (Inviolable Rule 3)
  • Waves 1, 3, and 5 must each be bearish impulse waves (5-wave structure)
  • Waves 2 and 4 must each be bullish corrective waves (3-wave structure)

Entry Condition

Enter short after confirming a reversal at Wave 2's peak. Or enter on confirmation of Wave 3's downward breakout. The ideal entry point is where Wave 2 retraces 61.8-78.6% of Wave 1. Bearish candlestick patterns (shooting star, engulfing) at Wave 2's peak increase reliability.

Target Calculation

Wave 3 target: 1.618 times Wave 1 extension downward. Wave 5 target: equal to Wave 1, or 0.618 times the range of Waves 1-3. If Wave 3 is extended, Wave 5 tends to equal Wave 1. Overall target: also reference 2.618-4.236 times Wave 1 extension downward.

Stop Loss Rule

Place a stop-loss slightly above Wave 1's starting point. For Wave 2 entries, set above the wave origin (0). For Wave 3 entries, set slightly above Wave 1's bottom. Ensure a minimum risk-reward ratio of 1:2.

Volume Profile

Ideally, volume peaks at Wave 3, often accompanied by panic selling. Volume at Wave 5 is usually lower than Wave 3 (divergence). Volume tends to decrease during Wave 2 and Wave 4 corrections. Volume-price divergence is an important signal for predicting Wave 5's completion (selling climax).

False Signal Detection

  • If Wave 3 is shorter than Wave 1, it violates an inviolable rule and requires recount
  • If Wave 4 enters Wave 1's price territory, it may be a diagonal or zigzag rather than an impulse
  • If Wave 5 volume significantly exceeds Wave 3, an extension is possible with further downside
  • If the higher timeframe trend is bullish, the bearish impulse may be Wave A of a correction with sharp rebound risk after 5 waves
  • Wave counting can be subjective; when multiple interpretations exist, adopt the more conservative scenario

Related Indicators

RSI (divergence confirmation)MACDFibonacci retracementVolume

Related Patterns

Elliott Impulse Wave (Bullish)Wave 3 ExtensionWave 3 Extension (Bearish)Leading Diagonal

Learn More

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