ZigZag Pattern Recognition Short-term Trading Strategy

Author: ChaoZhang, Date: 2024-01-23 15:09:13
Tags:

Overview

This strategy identifies candlestick patterns based on the ZigZag indicator and sets entry windows, take profit and stop loss prices using Fibonacci retracements for short-term trading. The strategy supports 13 types of patterns for both long and short trends, including Bat, Butterfly, Gartley etc.

Strategy Logic

Identify potential reversal points using the ZigZag indicator
Calculate the most recent 4 reversal points and check if they match any of the 13 predefined patterns
Enter trade if a pattern is matched and price enters the Fibonacci 0.382 retracement area
Set take profit to 0.618 retracement level, stop loss to -0.618 retracement level
Valid patterns include common ones like Bat, Butterfly, Gartley, as well as some reverse patterns such as Anti-Bat, Anti-Butterfly etc

Advantage Analysis

The ZigZag indicator effectively filters out market noise and identifies clearer trend reversal points
Multiple patterns increase opportunities to enter trades while controlling risks
Fibonacci retracement levels standardize entry, take profit and stop loss

Risk Analysis

The ZigZag indicator is sensitive to parameters, optimization is needed to find the best parameter combination
Too many fitted patterns increase curve fitting risks, real trading performance may underperform backtest results
Only the most recent 4 reversal points considered, more complex patterns are ignored
No re-test of retracement breakouts considered, may cause premature stop loss

Optimization Directions

Optimize ZigZag parameters to find the best combination
Add validity checks for patterns, e.g. confirmation of key points by closing prices
Expand pattern library to increase entry opportunities
Add re-test mechanism of retracements to lower stop loss risks

Conclusion

This strategy identifies trend reversal points using the ZigZag indicator and candlestick patterns, and sets standardized entry/exit logic with Fibonacci retracement zones. With optimized parameters and adjusted stop loss mechanisms, it has the potential to achieve good real trading results. The key is finding the best parameter combinations and tuning stop losses accordingly.

/*backtest
start: 2023-12-01 00:00:00
end: 2023-12-31 23:59:59
period: 2h
basePeriod: 15m
exchanges: [{"eid":"Futures_Binance","currency":"BTC_USDT"}]
*/

//@version=4

strategy(title='[STRATEGY][RS]ZigZag PA Strategy V4', shorttitle='S', overlay=true)
useHA = input(false, title='Use Heikken Ashi Candles')
useAltTF = input(true, title='Use Alt Timeframe')
tf = input('60', title='Alt Timeframe')
showPatterns = input(true, title='Show Patterns')
showFib0000 = input(title='Display Fibonacci 0.000:', type=bool, defval=true)
showFib0236 = input(title='Display Fibonacci 0.236:', type=bool, defval=true)
showFib0382 = input(title='Display Fibonacci 0.382:', type=bool, defval=true)
showFib0500 = input(title='Display Fibonacci 0.500:', type=bool, defval=true)
showFib0618 = input(title='Display Fibonacci 0.618:', type=bool, defval=true)
showFib0764 = input(title='Display Fibonacci 0.764:', type=bool, defval=true)
showFib1000 = input(title='Display Fibonacci 1.000:', type=bool, defval=true)
zigzag() =>
    _isUp = close >= open
    _isDown = close <= open
    _direction = _isUp[1] and _isDown ? -1 : _isDown[1] and _isUp ? 1 : nz(_direction[1])
    _zigzag = _isUp[1] and _isDown and _direction[1] != -1 ? highest(2) : _isDown[1] and _isUp and _direction[1] != 1 ? lowest(2) : na

_ticker = useHA ? heikenashi(syminfo.tickerid) : syminfo.tickerid
sz = useAltTF ? (ta.change(time(tf)) != 0 ? request.security(_ticker, tf, zigzag()) : na) : zigzag()

plot(sz, title='zigzag', color=color.black, linewidth=2)

//  ||---   Pattern Recognition:

x = ta.valuewhen(sz, sz, 4) 
a = ta.valuewhen(sz, sz, 3) 
b = ta.valuewhen(sz, sz, 2) 
c = ta.valuewhen(sz, sz, 1) 
d = ta.valuewhen(sz, sz, 0)

xab = (abs(b-a)/abs(x-a))
xad = (abs(a-d)/abs(x-a))
abc = (abs(b-c)/abs(a-b))
bcd = (abs(c-d)/abs(b-c))

//  ||-->   Functions:
isBat(_mode)=>
    _xab = xab >= 0.382 and xab <= 0.5
    _abc = abc >= 0.382 and abc <= 0.886
    _bcd = bcd >= 1.618 and bcd <= 2.618
    _xad = xad <= 0.618 and xad <= 1.000    // 0.886
    _xab and _abc and _bcd and _xad and (_mode == 1 ? d < c : d > c)

isAntiBat(_mode)=>
    _xab = xab >= 0.500 and xab <= 0.886    // 0.618
    _abc = abc >= 1.000 and abc <= 2.618    // 1.13 --> 2.618
    _bcd = bcd >= 1.618 and bcd <= 2.618    // 2.0  --> 2.618
    _xad = xad >= 0.886 and xad <= 1.000    // 1.13
    _xab and _abc and _bcd and _xad and (_mode == 1 ? d < c : d > c)

isAltBat(_mode)=>
    _xab = xab <= 0.382
    _abc = abc >= 0.382 and abc <= 0.886
    _bcd = bcd >= 2.0 and bcd <= 3.618
    _xad = xad <= 1.13
    _xab and _abc and _bcd and _xad and (_mode == 1 ? d < c : d > c)

isButterfly(_mode)=>
    _xab = xab <= 0.786
    _abc = abc >= 0.382 and abc <= 0.886
    _bcd = bcd >= 1.618 and bcd <= 2.618
    _xad = xad >= 1.27 and xad <= 1.618
    _xab and _abc and _bcd and _xad and (_mode == 1 ? d < c : d > c)

isAntiButterfly(_mode)=>
    _xab = xab >= 0.236 and xab <= 0.886    // 0.382 - 0.618
    _abc = abc >= 1.130 and abc <= 2.618    // 1.130 - 2.618
    _bcd = bcd >= 1.000 and bcd <= 1.382    // 1.27
    _xad = xad >= 0.500 and xad <= 0.886    // 0.618 - 0.786
    _xab and _abc and _bcd and _xad and (_mode == 1 ? d < c : d > c)

isABCD(_mode)=>
    _abc = abc >= 0.382 and abc <= 0.886
    _bcd = bcd >= 1.13 and bcd <= 2.618
    _abc and _bcd and (_mode == 1 ? d < c : d > c)

isGartley(_mode)=>
    _xab = xab >= 0.5 and xab <= 0.618 // 0.618
    _abc = abc >= 0.382 and abc <= 0.886
    _bcd = bcd >= 1.13 and bcd <= 2.618
    _xad = xad >= 0.75 and xad <= 0.875 // 0.786
    _xab and _abc and _bcd and _xad and (_mode == 1 ? d < c : d > c)

isAntiGartley(_mode)=>
    _xab = xab >= 0.500 and xab <= 0.886    // 0.618 -> 0.786
    _abc = abc >= 1.000 and abc <= 2.618    // 1.130 -> 2.618
    _bcd = bcd >= 1.500 and bcd <= 5.000    // 1.618
    _xad = xad >= 1.000 and xad <= 5.000    // 1.272
    _xab and _abc and _bcd and _xad and (_mode == 1 ? d < c : d > c)

isCrab(_mode)=>
    _xab = xab >= 0.500 and xab <= 0.875    // 0.886
    _abc = abc >= 0.382 and abc <= 0.886    
    _bcd = bcd >= 2.000 and bcd <= 5.000    // 3.618
    _xad = xad >= 1.382 and xad <= 5.000    // 1.618
    _xab and _abc and _bcd and _xad and (_mode == 1 ? d < c : d > c)

isAntiCrab(_mode)=>
    _xab = xab >= 0.250 and xab <= 0.500    // 0.276 -> 0.446
    _abc = abc >= 1.130 and abc <= 2.618    // 1.130 -> 2.618
    _bcd = bcd >= 1.618 and bcd <= 2.618    // 1.618 -> 2.618
    _xad = xad >= 0.500 and xad <= 0.750    // 0.618
    _xab and _abc and _bcd and _xad and (_mode == 1 ? d < c : d > c)

isShark(_mode)=>
    _xab = xab >= 0.500 and xab <= 0.875    // 0.5 --> 0.886
    _abc = abc >= 1.130 and abc <= 1.618    //
    _bcd = bcd >= 1.270 and bcd <= 2.240    //
    _xad = xad >= 0.886 and xad <= 1.130    // 0.886 --> 1.13
    _xab and _abc and _bcd and _xad and (_mode == 1 ? d < c : d > c)

isAntiShark(_mode)=>
    _xab = xab >= 0.382 and xab <= 0.875    // 0.446 --> 0.618
    _abc = abc >= 0.500 and abc <= 1.000    // 0.618 --> 0.886
    _bcd = bcd >= 1.250 and bcd <= 2.618    // 1.618 --> 2.618
    _xad = xad >= 0.500 and xad <= 1.250    // 1.130 --> 1.130
    _xab and _abc and _bcd and _xad and (_mode == 1 ? d < c : d > c)

is5o(_mode)=>
    _xab = xab >= 1.13 and xab <= 1.618
    _abc = abc >= 1.618 and abc <= 2.24
    _bcd = bcd >= 0.5 and bcd <= 0.625 // 0.5
    _xad = xad >= 0.0 and xad <= 0.236 // negative?
    _xab and _abc and _bcd and _xad and (_mode == 1 ? d < c : d > c)

isWolf(_mode)=>
    _xab = xab >= 1.27 and xab <= 1.618
    _abc = abc >= 0 and abc <= 5
    _bcd = bcd >= 1.27 and bcd <= 1.618
    _xad = xad >= 0.0 and xad <= 5
    _xab and _abc and _bcd and _xad and (_mode == 1 ? d < c : d > c)

isHnS(_mode)=>
    _xab = xab >= 2.0 and xab <= 10
    _abc = abc >= 0.90 and abc <= 1.1
    _bcd = bcd >= 0.236 and bcd <= 0.88
    _xad = xad >= 0.90 and xad <= 1.1
    _xab and _abc and _bcd and _xad and (_mode == 1 ? d < c : d > c)

isConTria(_mode)=>
    _xab = xab >= 0.382 and xab <= 0.618
    _abc = abc >= 0.382 and abc <= 0.618
    _bcd = bcd >= 0.382 and bcd <= 0.618
    _xad = xad >= 0.236 and xad <= 0.764
    _xab and _abc and _bcd and _xad and (_mode == 1 ? d < c : d > c)

isExpTria(_mode)=>
    _xab = xab >= 1.236 and xab <= 1.618
    _abc = abc >= 1.000 and abc <= 1.618
    _bcd = bcd >= 1.236 and bcd <= 2.000
    _xad = xad >= 2.000 and xad <= 2.236
    _xab and _abc and _bcd and _xad and (_mode == 1 ? d < c : d > c)

plotshape(not showPatterns ? na : isABCD(-1) and not isABCD(-1)[1], text="\nAB=CD", title='Bear ABCD', style=shape.labeldown, color=maroon, textcolor=white, location=location.top, transp=0, offset=-2)
plotshape(not showPatterns ? na : isBat(-1) and not isBat(-1)[1], text="Bat", title='Bear Bat', style=shape.labeldown, color=maroon, textcolor=white, location=location.top, transp=0, offset=-2)
plotshape(not showPatterns ? na : isAntiBat(-1) and not isAntiBat(-1)[1], text="Anti Bat", title='Bear Anti Bat', style=shape.labeldown, color=maroon, textcolor=white, location=location.top, transp=0, offset=-2)
plotshape(not showPatterns ? na : isAltBat(-1) and not isAltBat(-1)[1], text="Alt Bat", title='Bear Alt Bat', style=shape.labeldown, color=maroon, textcolor=white, location=location.top, transp=0)
plotshape(not showPatterns ? na : isButterfly(-1) and not isButterfly(-1)[1], text="Butterfly", title='Bear Butterfly', style=shape.labeldown, color=maroon, textcolor=white, location=location.top, transp=0)
plotshape(not showPatterns ? na : isAntiButterfly(-1) and not isAntiButterfly(-1)[1], text="Anti Butterfly", title='Bear Anti Butterfly', style=shape.labeldown, color=maroon, textcolor=white, location=location.top, transp=0)
plotshape(not showPatterns ? na : isGartley(-1) and not isGartley(-1)[1], text="Gartley", title='Bear Gartley', style=shape.labeldown, color=maroon, textcolor=white, location=location.top, transp=0)
plotshape(not showPatterns ? na : isAntiGartley(-1) and not isAntiGartley(-1)[1], text="Anti Gartley", title='Bear Anti Gartley', style=shape.labeldown, color=maroon, textcolor=white, location=location.top, transp=0)
plotshape(not showPatterns ? na : isCrab(-1) and not isCrab(-1)[1], text="Crab", title='Bear Crab', style=shape.labeldown, color=maroon, textcolor=white, location=location.top, transp=0)
plotshape(not showPatterns ? na : isAntiCrab(-1) and not isAntiCrab(-1)[1], text="Anti Crab", title='Bear Anti Crab', style=shape.labeldown, color=maroon, textcolor=white, location=location.top, transp=0)
plotshape(not showPatterns ? na : isShark(-1) and not isShark(-1)[1], text="Shark", title='Bear Shark', style=shape.labeldown, color=maroon, textcolor=white, location=location.top, transp=0)
plotshape(not showPatterns ? na : isAntiShark(-1) and not isAntiShark(-1)[1], text="Anti Shark", title='Bear Anti Shark', style=shape.labeldown, color=maroon, textcolor=white, location=location.top, transp=0)
plotshape(not showPatterns ? na : is5o(-1) and not is5o(-1)[1], text="5-O", title='Bear 5-O', style=shape.labeldown, color=maroon, textcolor=white, location=location.top, transp=0)
plotshape(not showPatterns ? na : isWolf(-1) and not isWolf(-1)[1], text="Wolf Wave", title='Bear Wolf Wave', style=shape.labeldown, color=maroon, textcolor=white, location=location.top, transp=0)
plotshape(not showPatterns ? na : isHnS(-1) and not isHnS(-1)[1], text="Head and Shoulders", title='Bear Head and Shoulders', style=shape.labeldown, color=maroon, textcolor=white, location=location.top, transp=0)
plotshape(not showPatterns ? na : isConTria(-1) and not isConTria(-1)[1], text="Contracting Triangle", title='Bear Contracting triangle', style=shape.labeldown, color=maroon, textcolor=white, location=location.top, transp=0)
plotshape(not showPatterns ? na : isExpTria(-1) and not isExpTria(-1)[1], text="Expanding Triangle", title='Bear Expanding Triangle', style=shape.labeldown, color=maroon, textcolor=white, location=location.top, transp=0)

plotshape(not showPatterns ? na : isABCD(1) and not isABCD(1)[1], text="AB=CD\n", title='Bull ABCD', style=shape.labelup, color=green, textcolor=white, location=location.bottom, transp=0)
plotshape(not showPatterns ? na : isBat(1) and not isBat(1)[1], text="Bat", title='Bull Bat', style=shape.labelup, color=green, textcolor=white, location=location.bottom, transp=0)
plotshape(not showPatterns ? na : isAntiBat(1) and not isAntiBat(1)[1], text="Anti Bat", title='Bull Anti Bat', style=shape.labelup, color=green, textcolor=white, location=location.bottom, transp=0)
plotshape(not showPatterns ? na : isAltBat(1) and not isAltBat(1)[1], text="Alt Bat", title='Bull Alt Bat', style=shape.labelup, color=green, textcolor=white, location=location.bottom, transp=0)
plotshape(not showPatterns ? na : isButterfly(1) and not isButterfly(1)[1], text="Butterfly", title='Bull Butterfly', style=shape.labelup, color=green, textcolor=white, location=location.bottom, transp=0)
plotshape(not showPatterns ? na : isAntiButterfly(1) and not isAntiButterfly(1)[1], text="Anti Butterfly", title='Bull Anti Butterfly', style=shape.labelup, color=green, textcolor=white, location=location.bottom, transp=0)
plotshape(not showPatterns ? na : isGartley(1) and not isGartley(1)[1], text="Gartley", title='Bull Gartley', style=shape.labelup, color=green, textcolor=white, location=location.bottom, transp=0)
plotshape(not showPatterns ? na : isAntiGartley(1) and not isAntiGartley(1)[1], text="Anti Gartley", title='Bull Anti Gartley', style=shape.labelup, color=green, textcolor=white, location=location.bottom, transp=0)
plotshape(not showPatterns ? na : isCrab(1) and not isCrab(1)[1], text="Crab", title='Bull Crab', style=shape.labelup, color=green, textcolor=white, location=location.bottom, transp=0)
plotshape(not showPatterns ? na : isAntiCrab(1) and not isAntiCrab(1)[1], text="Anti Crab", title='Bull Anti Crab', style=shape.labelup, color=green, textcolor=white, location=location.bottom, transp=0)
plotshape(not showPatterns ? na : isShark(1) and not isShark(1)[1], text="Shark", title='Bull Shark', style=shape.labelup, color=green, textcolor=white, location=location.bottom, transp=0)
plotshape(not showPatterns ? na : isAntiShark(1) and not isAntiShark(1)[1], text="Anti Shark", title='Bull Anti Shark', style=shape.labelup, color=green, textcolor=white, location=location.bottom, transp=0)
plotshape(not showPatterns ? na : is5o(1) and not is5o(1)[1], text="5-O", title='Bull 5-O', style=shape.labelup, color=green, textcolor=white, location=location.bottom, transp=0)
plotshape(not showPatterns ? na : isWolf(1) and not isWolf(1)[1], text="Wolf Wave", title='Bull Wolf Wave', style=shape.labelup, color=green, textcolor=white, location=location.bottom, transp=0)
plotshape(not showPatterns ? na : isHnS(1) and not isHnS(1)[1], text="Head and Shoulders", title='Bull Head and Shoulders', style=shape.labelup, color=green, textcolor=white, location=location.bottom, transp=0)
plotshape(not showPatterns ? na : isConTria(1) and not isConTria(1)[1], text="Contracting Triangle", title='Bull Contracting Triangle', style=shape.labelup, color=green, textcolor=white, location=location.bottom, transp=0)
plotshape(not showPatterns ? na : isExpTria(1) and not isExpTria(1)[1], text="Expanding Triangle", title='Bull Expanding Triangle', style=shape.labelup, color=green, textcolor=white, location=location.bottom, transp=0)

//-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
fib_range = abs(d-c)
fib_0000 = not showFib0000 ? na : d > c ? d-(fib_range*0.000):d+(fib_range*0.000)
fib_0236 = not showFib0236 ? na : d > c ? d-(fib_range*0.236):d+(fib_range*0.236)
fib_0382 = not showFib0382 ? na : d > c ? d-(fib_range*0.382):d+(fib_range*0.382)
fib_0500 = not showFib0500 ? na : d > c ? d-(fib_range*0.500):d+(fib_range*0.500)
fib_0618 = not showFib0618 ? na : d > c ? d-(fib_range*0.618):d+(fib_range*0.618)
fib_0764 = not showFib0764 ? na : d > c ? d-(fib_range*0.764):d+(fib_range*0.764)
fib_1000 = not showFib1000 ? na : d > c ? d-(fib_range*1.000):d+(fib_range*1.000)
plot(title='Fib 0.000', series=fib_0000, color=fib_0000 != fib_0000[1] ? na : black)
plot(title='Fib 0.236', series=fib_0236, color=fib_0236 != fib_0236[1] ? na : red)
plot(title='Fib 0.382', series=fib_0382, color=fib_0382 != fib_0382[1] ? na : olive)
plot(title='Fib 0.500', series=fib_0500, color=fib_0500 != fib_0500[1] ? na : lime)
plot(title='Fib 0.618', series=fib_0618, color=fib_0618 != fib_0618[1] ? na : teal)
plot(title='Fib 0.764', series=fib_0764, color=fib_0764 != fib_0764[1] ? na : blue)
plot(title='Fib 1.000', series=fib_1000, color=fib_1000 != fib_1000[1] ? na : black)

bgcolor(not useAltTF ? na : change(time(tf))!=0?black:na)
f_last_fib(_rate)=>d > c ? d-(fib_range*_rate):d+(fib_range*_rate)

trade_size = input(title='Trade size:', type=float, defval=1.00)
ew_rate = input(title='Fib. Rate to use for Entry Window:', type=float, defval=0.382)
tp_rate = input(title='Fib. Rate to use for TP:', type=float, defval=0.618)
sl_rate = input(title='Fib. Rate to use for SL:', type=float, defval=-0.618)
buy_patterns_00 = isABCD(1) or isBat(1) or isAltBat(1) or isButterfly(1) or isGartley(1) or isCrab(1) or isShark(1) or is5o(1) or isWolf(1) or isHnS(1) or isConTria(1) or isExpTria(1)
buy_patterns_01 = isAntiBat(1) or isAntiButterfly(1) or isAntiGartley(1) or isAntiCrab(1) or isAntiShark(1)
sel_patterns_00 = isABCD(-1) or isBat(-1) or isAltBat(-1) or isButterfly(-1) or isGartley(-1) or isCrab(-1) or isShark(-1) or is5o(-1) or isWolf(-1) or isHnS(-1) or isConTria(-1) or isExpTria(-1)
sel_patterns_01 = isAntiBat(-1) or isAntiButterfly(-1) or isAntiGartley(-1) or isAntiCrab(-1) or isAntiShark(-1)
buy_entry = (buy_patterns_00 or buy_patterns_01) and close <= f_last_fib(ew_rate)
buy_close = high >= f_last_fib(tp_rate) or low <= f_last_fib(sl_rate)
sel_entry = (sel_patterns_00 or sel_patterns_01) and close >= f_last_fib(ew_rate)
sel_close = low <= f_last_fib(tp_rate) or high >= f_last_fib(sl_rate)
strategy.entry('buy', long=strategy.long, qty=trade_size, comment='buy', when=buy_entry)
strategy.close('buy', when=buy_close)
strategy.entry('sell', long=strategy.short, qty=trade_size, comment='sell', when=sel_entry)
strategy.close('sell', when=sel_close)

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