The terms "bottom/top of the staircase" are two types of candlestick patterns used to indicate a reversal in asset price direction. The bottom of the staircase is a bullish reversal pattern consisting of five candles with lower closing prices followed by a sudden increase in price. The top of the staircase is a bearish reversal pattern consisting of five candles with higher closing prices followed by a sudden drop in price. These patterns theoretically indicate a reversal in price direction, but they only act as a reversal pattern about 56% of the time, making trading opportunities limited. The bottom of the staircase tends to perform best when prices are in a downtrend overall.