Bulkowski’s Reverse Symmetrical Triangle

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Written by and copyright © 2008 by Thomas N. Bulkowski. All rights reserved.

This page describes the reverse symmetrical triangle pattern of the Elliott wave principle, how price moves not in a straight line but in a series of rises and retracements.

 

The reverse symmetrical triangle in a bull market. The figure to the right shows what a reverse symmetrical triangle looks like in a bull market. The reverse symmetrical triangle is a region of horizontal price movement, a consolidation of a prior move, and it is composed of "threes." That means each of the A-B-C-D-E waves have three subwaves. I labeled the B subwaves with red numbers, 1, 2, and 3, as an example.

In a reverse symmetrical triangle, the shape of the pattern follows two diverging trendlines, shown here as red lines. A reverse symmetrical triangle is more commonly known as a broadening top or broadening bottom. According to Frost and Prechter, "There are no variations on the rarer expanding triangle," which is another name for the reverse symmetrical triangle. I have not looked for the 3-3-3-3-3 combination, but I do know that other broadening patterns exist. Check out: right-angled broadening top, ascending, right-angled broadening top, descending, broadening wedge, ascending, and broadening wedge, descending.

The reverse symmetrical triangle in a bear market. A reverse symmetrical triangle in a bear market is an inverted picture of a bull market triangle. The price action swings from trendline to trendline, and diverges. The A-B-C-D-E waves subdivide into threes, forming a 3-3-3-3-3 configuration.

Rules

The reverse symmetrical triangle has rules that govern its shape. They are listed here.

  • The waves bottom and top out following two diverging trendlines.
  • Five waves compose the reverse symmetrical triangle (A-B-C-D-E).
  • Each of the A-B-C-D-E waves are composed of three subwaves, so it has a 3-3-3-3-3 configuration.

Copyright © 2008 by Thomas N. Bulkowski. All rights reserved. Sure you can trust the government. Just ask a native American!