Many traders have this dilemma: "Why do I keep stepping into traps—buying when it drops and selling when it rises?"

The problem often lies in a deadly habit—focusing only on a single timeframe of candlestick charts for trading. It's like driving while only looking at the steering wheel without paying attention to the road, or viewing scenery through a microscope—you can see the texture of leaves clearly but miss the entire forest.

**Three Timeframes, Three Responsibilities**

**4-Hour Chart as the Basis for Market Trend Analysis**

This timeframe is long enough to filter out the micro fluctuations that resemble noise within the day. Here, you can see the true direction of the asset’s movement.

In an uptrend, highs and lows rise in sync, like climbing stairs; in a downtrend, they descend continuously. When the price oscillates within a range without a clear direction, it’s a typical sideways consolidation.

Practical experience: During an uptrend, every pullback could be a good opportunity to buy low; during a decline, rebounds are often moments to short. Avoid over-trading during sideways markets; frequent entries will only lead to repeated lessons from the market.

**1-Hour Chart as the Trader’s Zone Divider**

After confirming the main trend, the 1-hour chart comes into play. Its role is to precisely identify support and resistance levels, effectively drawing the "safe zone" and "danger zone" boundaries for your trades.

When the price approaches support levels like trendlines, moving averages, or historical lows, be alert for potential long opportunities. When the price nears previous highs or resistance levels, stay cautious of risks.

**15-Minute Chart for Precise Entry Calibration**

Once the direction and zone are determined, use a shorter timeframe to execute the final precise entry. This chart helps you avoid false breakouts and find the optimal entry point.

The core logic is simple: use the long-term timeframe to confirm the main trend, the medium timeframe to identify operational zones (positions), and the short timeframe to grasp the exact timing (entry points). Using these three charts together allows you to truly understand the market rhythm instead of being hostage to short-term fluctuations.